Mention of this list's quietness got me to wondering why?
My feeling is that good maps and 3d location data are in the process of
becoming commoditised, so there's less about which to fantasize.
I mean, three-dimensional spatial data is being built out to the point that
if it is a lasting visible structure, it's going to be on the map. And we
tend to fantasize about the unknown. So what's left about which to geowank?
I suppose there's a historical dimension - putting Paxton's crystal palace
back on the map and that kind of thing.
One area that intrigues me - and probably because I know so little about it
- is the mapping of non-spatial data. I mean stuff that is associated with
a point or area, but is not itself three-dimensional in any meaningful
sense.
For example, I once read of a riff on forestry software used to predict
optimum snow conditions on ski hills. So presumably inputs that were
relevant to tree growth (precipitation, sunlight, slope, and so on) were
mapped to conditions relevant to really good snow for sliding sports. This
might be an example -and one that has been commercialised, at least in a
ski-hill consultancy.
What else might there be?
We have had wikis of crime scenes placed on maps (the crimes generally
having occurred at a location, but not having a lasting visible structure
{leaving aside architectural crimes ;-)}), and there are great wikis of
transient spatial activities (http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/ is a
favourite of mine)
What else?
I've fantasized about maps that input to policy decisions. For example,
it's a tired (pardon the pun) saw that cyclists systematically disobey
traffic rules. To which, as a cyclist, I counter that the number of
infractions by motorists far exceeds those by cyclists since disregard for
speed limits by motorists is endemic. Could we map those areas of excessive
speed as we have live maps of congestion? Pinpoint potential profit centres
for Treasury?
I supposed the challenge is (as it was in the early days of this list)
getting good data. For example, I read that one good argument for the
establishment of marine parks came from records of large fish catches after
an exclusion zone was established for the moon shots at Cape Canaveral.
And even if good data can be found and geocoded, it is not really 'geo,' so
perhaps harder to manage with our systems and approaches?
As smartphones get more sensors, perhaps we can get them to harvest more
data? Or just tap into more silos of data that are already there, but not
adequately mapped? As we have all been turned into wardrivers by Apple and
their ilk?
I am reminded of a short story from Peter Carey's "Fat Man in history".
But that's another topic for discussion..
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Anselm Hook
Sent: 12-Jan-12 09:20
To: S. E.
Cc: geowanking
Subject: Re: [Geowanking] When and Where is WhereCamp SF/Bay Area?
I'm not doing it this year but Steve C say's he'll pick it up - looking
forward to attending :-)
a
On Wed, Jan 11, 2012 at 2:00 PM, S. E. <[email protected]> wrote:
I have not seen this posted and the list has been awful quiet (aside from
LinkedIn requests ;)
O'Reilly's Where conference is 4/2-4, so I imagine it will be 3/31-4/1 or
4/8-9, but would be great to know now for scheduling.
Looking forward to it!
Steven Echtman
HearPlanet
www.HearPlanet.com <http://www.hearplanet.com/>
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