Google Maps and Bing Maps head-to-head

In the past when I have talked with students about mapping API's by the big guys like Google and Microsoft I have always told the Google Maps has some functionality I like and Bing does as well. Last week, Bing introduced it's version of Google's StreetView (one of the things I liked about Google that Bing did not have) closing the gap on the differences. This week Google started offering oblique imagery similar to Microsoft's Bing Maps 'Bird's Eye View'. The two products are feeding off each other and really making a place for themselves in the geospatial world.

These two products are going head-to-head and the competition means good things for us!

Spring 2010 course regristration

Registration is on for Spring 2010. Please email me if you'd like to be signed up. GIS 215 - GIS Data Models - Tuesday Nights 6-9:50pm GIS 121 - Georeferencing and Mapping - M/W 8am - 9:50am. Thanks and spread the word. pkennedy@abtech.edu

Bing Maps beta - streetview and tons of new apps ...

local apps like traffic and twitter - pretty cool. Works only with Silverlight ...

http://mapperz.blogspot.com/2009/12/bing-maps-explore-streetside.html

December MRGAC meeting followed by training

The next MRGAC meeting will be held on Friday, December 18th at A-B Tech. The meeting will run from 9:00am - 10:15am (earlier and shorter than usual) and will be followed by a CURISA sponsored training event.

The training information is below:

Date: Friday, December 18, 2009 (following an abbreviated MRGAC meeting)

Time: 10:30 to 4:30 pm Following MRGAC Meeting

(Lunch provided)

Location: AB-Tech Computer Lab / Main Campus - Balsam 108

Instructor: Kent Rothrock from Highland Mapping

Cost: $95 for member $145 for non-members (registration fee will support the Carol Paxton BCT Student Scholarship Fund)

This course will be a one day mix of lecture, presentation, and hands-on exercises in the creation and basic management of SQL Server-based ArcSDE Geodatabases. An introduction to SQL Server databases will be provided, focusing on the SQL Server 2008 model. ArcSDE Technology will be introduced and basic concepts explored.

Additional lecture and exercises will cover the following topics:

• How to create ArcSDE geodatabases.
• The ArcSDE Repository “Under the Hood” - how SQL and SDE work together to manage geographic data sets.
• Creating and Loading Data (vector and raster).
• Managing users – how to create logins and grant access to data sets.
• Versioning – how it works and how to manage correctly.
• Replication – how it works and how to use correctly.
• Managing spatial and attribute indexes.
• Tuning the geodatabase.
• Best practices for managing ArcSDE databases.
• Advanced topics (time permitting).

Student questions will be welcomed and other related topics can be explored as time permits. As designed, the workshop will be conducted using SQL Server Express and Personal SDE licensing. While these types of databases do differ from full-blown Enterprise databases, most of the underlying concepts related to ArcSDE are the same. During the lecture, the instructor will make note of critical differences and demo accordingly (Instructor will have Enterprise SQL and SQL Express on their PC).

Registration: Contact Kathryn Brewer via email at kathrynb@msdbc.org to have a registration form sent to you. Reserve your spot early as space in this workshop is limited.

Essential Skills to Succeed in a GIS career

The list is long and diverse ... just like GIS. Thanks to Michalis Avraam for this great list!


http://michalisavraam.org/2009/11/the-essential-skills-to-succeed-in-a-gis-career/

Mapping for Everyone - the ESRI way

Make a map the ESRI way ... http://mapapps.esri.com/create-map/index.html

Much like the world of easy mapping Google has been dominating for years except the ESRI option allows turning on specific data sets like census information.

Geoprocessing with Python using Open Source GIS

Looks like a great class from Utah State University ... I hope to work through it soon ...

http://www.gis.usu.edu/~chrisg/python/2009/