CALMap was commissioned to design, compile and edit this 12th edition of the Sourcebook, which sees changes in both the format and content to increase it’s usefulness as an information resource for GI professionals in the 21st Century. It is divided into 3 main sections :-

  AGI Section – Information about the UK Association for Geographic Information and document archive. Includes all the documents members need to help them in carrying out their work for the Association.
  Trade Directory – Directories of suppliers of GI products, services and applications in the UK. Basic entries in the directory are free but the income generated from organisations taking out extended entries helps to offset the cost of development for the whole Sourcebook.  
  Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) Directory – Directories of SDI initiatives & resources as well as stakeholders around the world at National, Continental and Global levels, with particular emphasis on the UK. The complex, overlapping nature of SDI’s means that it is often difficult for the individual GI professionals to get a handle on what is happening in their area and begin to positively engage with the SDI building process.  

Each of the Sourcebook sections is in the form of a series of fully cross-referenced digital mindmaps, accessed using the free MindManager 2002 Viewer software included on the CD. Mindmaps are simply an alternative means of storing and presenting information in a way that works in harmony with the way your brain and eyes process it, namely by branching association. At any point in time a mindmap provides an instant and easily understood snapshot of the current knowledge base of the subject in question, as well as stimulating further thoughts and associations in the viewer.

AGI Director Mark Linehan said “The 2004 Sourcebook on CD is a valuable resource in the AGI mission to maximise the use of Geographic Information for the benefit of the citizen, good governance and commerce. Those requiring GI products, services and applications can source them more easily using the categorised Trade Directory, whilst the SDI directory will enable individual GI professionals to get involved with the SDI building process, one of the key areas of activity for the AGI in 2004”.

Angus McDonald, CALMap Director and 2004 Sourcebook Editor, added “It is my belief that one of the most pressing issues facing the GI professional today is the initiation, creation and maintenance of Spatial Data Infrastructures at all geographic levels from local to global. The complex, overlapping nature of SDI’s however means that it is often difficult for the individual GI professional to get a handle on what is happening in their area and begin to positively engage with the SDI building process. The SDI Directory of the AGI Sourcebook is a first attempt to document SDI initiatives, and their stakeholders, around the world at National, Continental and Global levels so that individuals can do just that. It is by no means the complete picture, but the benefit of the mindmap format is that new information can be quickly and easily added in future editions.”

A complimentary copy of the Sourcebook will be sent to all AGI Corporate members during May, whilst individuals can purchase it from the AGI directly (discounted rate for AGI members). For any queries about the contents or suggestions for material to be included in future editions, please contact the editor at sourcebook@agi.org.uk.

About CALMap
CALMap is a unique consultancy company specialising in the capture and sharing of knowledge using innovative tools and techniques. More information available from www.calmap.co.uk.
 
 
  About the AGI
The Association for Geographic Information is the professional association for the Geographic Information (GI) industry in the UK. It's mission is to maximise the use of Geographic Information for the benefit of the citizen, good governance and commerce. More information available from www.agi.org.uk.