As a consumer, or at least, someone not currently building the geo-web or other geo-systems, the question I'm hoping to see more about is, how broadly accessible can we make geospatial analysis? When will it be possible for a non-cartographer on their own to use maps, public geodata, and geo-indexed private/personal data to answer a question like "Where should I plant my garden?", "Where in the region should I live if I want to lower my carbon footprint?", "Where should our neighborhood advocate for adding a park, or a supermarket, or more beat cops?"... etc.
Thanks for starting the discussion! --Andrea On Fri, Jan 13, 2012 at 11:43 AM, William J. Spat <[email protected]> wrote: > 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/>***** > > *iPhone > Apps<http://ax.search.itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZSearch.woa/wa/search?entity=software&media=all&page=1&restrict=true&startIndex=0&term=hearplanet> > * | Android Apps <https://market.android.com/developer?pub=HearPlanet>**** > > ** ** > > Ph/Fx: 415-324-8555**** > > Cl: 310-962-1021**** > > *[email protected]***** > > ** ** > > > _______________________________________________ > Geowanking mailing list > [email protected] > http://geowanking.org/mailman/listinfo/geowanking_geowanking.org**** > > > > **** > > ** ** > > -- > @anselm 415 215 4856 http://twitter.com/anselm**** > > _______________________________________________ > Geowanking mailing list > [email protected] > http://geowanking.org/mailman/listinfo/geowanking_geowanking.org > > -- Andrea Moed [email protected] http:www.linkedin.com/in/amoeda twitter: futuristparent
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