2008 International ESRI User Conference Notes - A recap of Implementing GIS on the web
Written by Glenn Letham
12 August 2008
More notes from the recent ESRI User Conference -- In a presentation titled “Implementing GIS on the web”, Clint Brown provided a Tuesday AM wake-up discussion on what’s happening in the web world and what opportunities are being created.
Brown reminded us that at Web 2.0, our second generation web tools and organized access to information has proliferated. The term mashups, is relatively new to the web world but old news to the us in the GIS space… we’ve been mashing up data forever! Keep in mind though, the web is the platform to build a mashup world. I enjoyed Clint's reference to GIS mashups as "Smashups".
Interesting [and accurately in my opinion], Brown conveyed how to the web community, and the bloggers, it’s not GIS but rather, it’s web mapping with the citizens as censors providing the content – citizen censors - and in the future everyone will contribute their own content and search will organize it. BUT, users require an authoritative information framework. A framework to:
Understand and exploit observations
Analyze observations
Visualize what it means
Give observations meaning.
Addressing the geo tech professionals, Brown pointed out how "your role is about building and sharing a framework"... We need a framework, not just a list of layer.” Obviously, what Brown was referring to is the geodatabase (interesting to note, I head several times during the week that we need to move to the geodatabase rather than SHP files. Given the number of times this topic arose, many users are obviously content with layers of information stored as files (SHP) rather than jumping head-first into developing a geodatabase - a direction you are encouraged to move towards.
Recall though that everyone is talking about using Google maps and virtual earth… as a result, user expectations are changing. Most GIS apps will need to support this, particularly as the use expectations have changed. So, making your Geo information consumable on the web is important. Users want and need to build and serve: GIS apps, digital base maps, operational layers, tasks and tools in the GIS applications. As a result there are many application choices to deal with: ArcExplorer, mobile, web map, Javascript/Flex web apps (new at 9.3), or ArGIS desktop.
Brown was quick to point out that programming via the new Javascript API is so simple, “if you know html you can use this”. Ideal for simple implementations, easy to program (you can focus on your content), lightweight. Brown offers up the following tips for the developer: - Once you chose your application, you design and select your basemap… one map for each scale, each map becomes a group layer in your ArcMap TOC. - Build on exist framework like ArcGIS online, Google Microsoft, Other GIS depts. - Be sure of the tiling scheme you select to use… e.g. A Virtual Earth basemap may be using a different coordinate system. I found it interesting that we seem to be grappling with the same user issues (like various coordinate systems, datums, scales) that we frequently dealt with 10 yeas ago. As a tip, see also planning a map cache in the ArcGIS online help resource center.
A reference we heard many times during the week was that ArcGIS at 9.3 enables users to simplify, streamline and share. As you can see, a number of new tools are now available to help you share your data and your geodatabase with others. See below for some helpful resources.
Top iPhone related GIS and Geo Tech news stories from 2009 - At the end of the year its always interesting for us to look at some of the stats and results to identify trends and more important, to see what our readers think is hot! In the "news" category it seems that iPhone related geo tech items were extremely popular.
Geo Social Location Checkin to Twitter from iPhone - With the cool SXSW event taking place Austin, TX, everyone who's anyone in social and social location seems to have rolled out updates this week, making your choice for how to check-in to your social media bookmarks even tougher to decide on!
10 Awesome GIS and Mapping apps for the iPhone - I recall last year at the ESRI UC when an iPhone was on stage showing a prototype app (think ArcPad on iPhone). It was then that I realized the iPhone platform is going to be BIG in mapping and there's a ton of opportunity for developers.
Nokia Booklet 3G, unboxing video and image gallery... Those of you in the USA who pop in to BestBuy occasionally, you may have seen a stand showing off the Nokia Booklet 3G. A sleek, 3G enabled, SIM slot (AT&T) sporting netbook.
Interesting Tweeple - 10 Geo Technology & Geo-Social Women of Twitter - given the growing love for geospatial and location-aware technologies, I’ve decided to hype 10 women that I feel make a significant contribution to the Geo-Twittersphere. If you’d like to add 10 knowledgeable and useful Twitter contacts to your Geo following list I highly suggest the following: (in no particular order)
10 Geo Social Location-Aware Apps Making Waves... With Twitter's opening of their location API to developers there's going to be a ton of third party apps that will enable Twitter users to share location-aware information via their Twitter accounts.
Signs that indicate you may be a GeoGeek (aka. GeoNerd) and some suggested Geo blogs - Chances are good that if you are a Geo Geek then you already know it and likely refer to yourself as one. However, there’s many of you out there that may be on the fence and wondering… “am I a Geo Geek?" Read on for a comprehensive list of signs you might be a GeoGeek followed up by some suggested Geoblog reading.
Real-time GPS Mapping and GIS Solution Aids Efficient Disaster Management - Saturday, February 7, 2009 will forever be known as Black Saturday in the State of Victoria, Australia. In the midst of a 10-year drought, a record breaking heat wave descended upon the state, with temperatures exceeding 45 degrees C (110-120 deg F), breaking all-time record highs in some cities - Victoria Police Use Trimble Juno SC Handhelds to Speed Assessment of Damage Caused by Bush Fires.
2010 ESRI Federal User Conference February 17-19, 2010, Washington D.C. Walter E. Washington Convention Center - The FedUC is the largest geospatial conference for federal agencies. Connect with other leaders, decision makers, and GIS professionals.
The International LiDAR Mapping Forum 2010 - Tenth Anniversary Event! ILMF 2010 will be held from March 3 - 5, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency in Denver at Colorado Convention Center.
The NAVTEQ 2010 Global LBS Challenge Awards Ceremony will be held during Ignite at O'Reilly Where 2.0. Be among the first to hear as NAVTEQ announces the winners for the North America region. Participants will be competing for a global prize pool of $10 million and growing by showcasing pre-commercial location-enabled apps using NAVTEQ map data & products. March 30, 2010, during Ignite Where, 7:30pm - 9:00pm, at the Marriott San Jose, CA
WHERE2.0 2010 - Now in its sixth year, the Where 2.0 Conference is where the grassroots and leading edge developers building location-aware technology intersect with the businesses and entrepreneurs seeking out location apps, platforms, and hardware to gain a competitive edge. For 15% use Discount Code: whr10lbs
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