Speaking of Guy Kawasaki (see post from earlier today), Guy’s most recent words of wisdom touch on the topic of being an asshole! This made in reference to a Book Review of The No Asshole Rule by Robert Sutton. In familiar fashion, Guy has me in stitches describing the book and providing a list of what kinds of things make you an asshole! Guy admits to have being one and to have been in contact with a few as well.. I have to admit, I guess I’ve been one and have definitely known a few as well! For some fun Guy makes a suggestion on how you can come up with your very own Google Asshole ranking where you can guage in relative terms your asshole ranking (my words) – maybe the term “asshole-ocity” would be fitting? Good news… according to the test I’m only a fraction of the asshole that Guy is ;0) Finally, check out Guys tips on how to avoid being an asshole… words of wisdom. I like this one – Resist assholeholics from the start! See http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2006/10/you_have_to_lov.html
Archives for October 2006
Rules of conduct for the GIS professional
As a GISP you are expected to conduct yourself and your business according to some codes of ethicsc as set up by the “Institute”. Just today the GIS Certification Instatute has layed out their Code of Ethics and rules for the conduct of GIS professionals. Among them; We shall acknowledge our errors and shall not distort or alter the facts, All data shall have appropriate metadata documentation sufficient to meet the minimum standard as stated here, When notified of an error in the database, the professional will take action to correct it… if you’re in need of some guidelines on how to conduct yourself see details here http://www.gisci.org/rules_of_conduct.htm or see the PR announcement here. If anything, these are some fine business rules that any company would want to strive to adhere to… compliance will no doubt enamour you to your clients!
A smart way to wrap up a GIS user mobile!
This one is for the “recently spotted” category. As I pulled in to a parking for lunch at a local sushi restaurant the other day I notice a cool little “smart” car in the stall next to me. The car is “wrapped up” in a 3D terrain map design and has a sign on it promoting a local GIS consulting firm. I have to be honest, I never heard of the firm but the paint job on the car was way cool… I’ve often said I want to paint up the Expedition as the GISuser Mobile – when I get to Fort Collins you may infact see this! – but for now, this was a great source of inspiration. Do you have a GIS themed company car? If so blast me a photo… you may wind up on the blog like this guy! Photos is from the Little Earth GIS Consulting Inc, Nanaimo, BC – photos is also posted on my GISuser flickr stream
A good read – GIS for the urban environment, ESRI Press
I haven’t had time yet to do a full-blown review, however, I have skimmed briefly a new title from ESRI Press and its pretty darned awesome! Anyone involved in urban geography, local government and GIS should grab a copy of this, read it, and keep it near your desk! The book starts of with the basics of GIS (even answers what is a map?) and then delves into spatial modeling, data classifcation, data visualization, data sources, and anything that a local government GIS user needs to know. Of particualr interes and setting this book apart from anything else I’ve seen is the focus on GIS Projects, including the project lifecycle, planning, and project management… nice! The book finishes up with a lengthy discussion on GIS ethics and offers up some excellent case studies. See GIS for the Urban Environment
GIS Data Search Engine withg 1900 more links indexed
Recall last week I made mention of the Google Co-op API and the new functionality that enables users (like me) to create their very own search engine. Since that time I’ve added some 1900+ of my favorite GIS resources (mostly data resources) which has resulted in a customized search tool that yields some awesome results if I say so myself! Many of the links come submitted directly to me for inclussion in vary sections at GISuser.com (ie. link section, free data resources, state clearinghouses etc…) Check it out and be sure to drop me a line if you don’t think your favorite data resource is listed yet See the GIS Data search Engine HERE
GISuser Data Search Engine with 1900 new resources (mostly for Free data)
Recall last week I made mention of the Google Co-op API and the new functionality that enables users (like me) to create their very own search engine. Since that time I’ve added some 1900+ of my favorite GIS resources (mostly data resources) which has resulted in a customized search tool that yields some awesome results if I say so myself! Many of the links come submitted directly to me for inclussion in vary sections at GISuser.com (ie. link section, free data resources, state clearinghouses etc…) Check it out and be sure to drop me a line if you don’t think your favorite data resource is listed yet See the GIS Data search Engine HERE
Location-Based social networking
Social networking is all the rage… its all about connecting with others. Think second life, youtube, flickr, SMS.ac, yadayada… how about networking based on location? That’s exactly what NavXS is all about… from the developer I get this… the smartphone / PocketPC application is used in combination with GPRS/UMTS/WLAN networks. Its an online navigation tool which use MapTile from MapProvider like google.maps, Microsoft, yahoo or ask.com. Additional features are: see your friends were they are in real-time, send them messages without SMS 😉 The service is in beta but is boasted to work very well. See http://navxs.com – supports Windows Mobile 5 and Java based devices. Note, they also have a blog to support them as well at http://navxs.blogspot.com
Thales rebrands as Magellan
A good marketing move in my mind… kudos to the crew at Thales for rebranding their Mobile mapping family as Magellan and going forward with promotions under the new but familiar umbrella of Magellan.. nice stuff! No doubt many people in the past had trouble pronouncing the old company’s name THALES (no, not pronounced th-ale-s) but rather was correctly pronounced Tal-is. I believe I’ve read in the past that one of the biggest no-no’s in marketing is selecting a company name or brand that nobody can pronounce or spell… I like Magellan… sounds geospatial too! See http://pro.magellangps.com/en/solutions/mobilemap/ – they have some very spanky mobile mapping products!
searching with Ms Dewey holding your hand
Have you checked out the latest in search from Microsoft’s live.com search engine… enter Ms. Dewey (MSDewy). An interesting way to search the web hosted by a virtual hostess (Janina Gavankar) who walks you through your searches with a slight attempt at humor! While you wait she thinks, muses, and pesters you to try and keep you interested while the search engine grinds away. For now I’ll stick with my google search but for some fun everyone needs to atleast check it out for a laugh (or not). See http://www.msdewey.com/
USGS Seamless data server
In a recent reminder from sommeone at the USGS, I have to admit that I have neglected to promote this fabulous data resource. Most users know about it (or should know about it), therefore, as a result it sometimes gets forgotten. Thing of the seamless data distribution system as the grand-daddy of the USGS geospatial repositories… and then some! This site has complete coverage of theNational Elevation Dataset that supercedes Digital Elevation Models, complete DOQQcoverage, over 30 Tb of urban imagery, one-time coverage of full resolution Landsatimagery, and much more. Also, the data are seamless, so you can put a box aroundthe data without having to figure out quadrangles and then having to assemble themall. Here’s some details from our friends at the USGS if you need to hear more…
Free downloads are availble – up to 1.6 Gbytes of data in 100 MB files in one user request. Users have unlimited access to the interactive map and can make unlimited requests.The amount of coverage area depends on the number of products selected for download.For example, if NED 1 Arc Second is selected as the only product a user can downloadup to a 30 square degree area. But, if NED 1 arc second and NED 1/3 arc second areselected, then the area available for download will be considerably smaller. To seethe various sizes of coverage area for each product, click on the List of Productsdrop down, select the desired product. User can define an area of interest by drawing a box, defining coordinates, or useavailable templates to cut out the area. The first method of drawing a box (square or rectangle) is best for defining ageneral area. The coordinates are displayed, in decimal degrees, in the bottom leftcorner of the window as the mouse is moved over the map. The second method ofdefining coordinates can be used when the user wants a precise area and knows thecorner coordinates. The third method is the use of provided templates, such as 7.5min quadrangles. Bookmark this one, or maybe even set it as your homme-page! http://seamless.usgs.gov/