The Geospatial One-Stop http://www.geodata.gov/ (GOS) is an e-government initiative designed to make it easier, faster, and cheaper for users (government & public) to access geospatial information. In a nutshell, with GOS, users can discover and access geospatial resources and meta-data. At version 2, GOS is more intuitive and should be a much richer data resource as well... read on for more about GOS2.
If you receive our daily news updates (If you don’t then you should be!) you’ve likely heard that the Geospatial One-Stop Version 2 Portal was recently announced. With GOS2, users have access to a number of new features including: - Smart search tools - a visual marketplace - communities of interest - personalization tools - added interoperability
Geospatial One-Stop information on display at the ESRI UC Map Gallery
So what can users do with GOS? Ideally, anyone hosting GIS data will sign-up and register their data and meta-data with GOS, enabling others to locate your data… sharing… that’s what it boils down to. Users are encouraged to post metadata in a directory so others can discover your map services, applications, downloadable data, and related documents. Using a Google-like search interface, discovering data is very simple and frequent users are encouraged to use the “My Geography” utility to save spatial bookmarks. With the marketplace, users can post their data requests to the community. This will enable and encourage partnerships and provide a mechanism for users to be informed when relevant data holdings are added to the database.
A look at GOS 2
Making a map is a breeze at GOS using the Map Viewer. The Map Viewer provides quick and simple access to live mapping services from a number of government agencies (Federal, State, County, local governments). Using the viewer you can then find places, print/save maps, display map services, resize map windows, and get information about features displayed on the map.
The Seattle, WA region as seen in the Map Viewer
With GOS2 it’s even easier to create maps. A special interest tab (left side-bar) makes it easy to access current information (i.e. Hurricane, wildfire)
Looking for more personalization? Using “My GOS” frequent users can register for automatic notifications and receive alerts when new search results meeting specific criteria are made available. Community collaboration tools have been included to help foster even greater collaboration and sharing. User forums, event calendars, a document library, and the what’s new section all serve to inform users and bring them closer together. By joining a “community”, users can have access to content and services that are relevant to the user community. For example, users with a common interest in cadastral data may belong to a specific user community focused on this theme.
When creating your own GOS account you create a username password pair. A new user must confirm her address and information, however, if you take the time to notice, your registration is actually sent to an esri.com domain – something many people may not be aware of. Once registered as a user you can then get rolling and become a data publisher by simply following the instructions. A lengthy metatdata form is required to be uploaded of filled in when adding data to the database... all submissions are subject to review.
The road ahead… National Geographic Society, ESRI, Geospatial One-Stop recently discussed new initiatives - Announced at the 2005 ESRI User http://www.gisuser.com/content/view/6435/ for more information about this partnership.
Finally, users of GOS are encouraged to register their data and take advantage of the wealth of information available in this resource. To check out GOS 2 see http://gos2.geodata.gov/. Note, GOS1 & GOS2 will only be available concurrently for a limited time until the transition has been completed.
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.
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.
10 Ways Your Tech Business Can Take Advantage of Twitter - Many companies and individuals are still asking themselves how can I use Twitter in my business? The following is a small sampling of some of the ways that your technology business can use Twitter to your advantage.
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
The Geospatial One-Stop 
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