Planet Georezo » July 2, 2010

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02 juillet 2010
22:48
GISuser GIS and Location Technology news: Browsing the uc backchannel on iPhone thx @JimBarry for the tip! [Flickr]
sur Planet Geospatial - http://planetgs.com

GISuser.com GIS and Social, Mobile Tech Images posted a photo:

Posted by twitter.com/gletham
22:46
geo.geek.nz: ArcGIS 10 Geodatabase Replication Patch
sur Planet Geospatial - http://planetgs.com

Last last month a critical bug was posted which affected those using ArcGIS 10 and geodatabase replication. Information about this bug can be found here: [geo.geek.nz] An upgrade patch has now been released and is available...
22:06
Slashgeo: Help Build GIS-Specific Stack Overflow/Exchange
sur Planet Geospatial - http://planetgs.com

matt wilkie writes "Help Build a vendor neutral GIS specific site on Stack Exchange for answering technical questions.

What is Stack Exchange? Who better to answer than the founders, "...we’ve gotten used to the clean, fast, reliable answers that you get from Stack Overflow, so whenever we try to get an answer to a tax question, or a Siberian Husky question, or an iPhone question, it’s incredibly frustrating to find old conversations, trapped in forum and discussion software, instead of answers. Forums are optimized for conversation and shooting the breeze, not for getting answers, so they suck when you actually need some information." (full post) By and large, they've risen to the challenge better than anyone else in my experience thus far.

Anyway, check out the proposal, see what you think, and if you agree throw your weight behind it. Thanks."

We mentioned the new geospatial component of Stack Overflow two weeks ago.
Read more of this story at Slashgeo.
19:40
GISuser GIS and Location Technology news: ESRIUC Sunday Night TweetUp Poll – Please Help Us with your feedback
sur Planet Geospatial - http://planetgs.com

Securing the venue and logistics for a somewhat “unstructured” event like the TweetUp is a bit challenging. Dick’s last resort needs a little info from us in order to guarantee us a...

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19:30
01/07/2010 : WebGeo Services lauréat du concours national d'aide à la création d'entreprises de technologies innovantes.
sur SIG la lettre : divers

01/07/2010 : WebGeo Services lauréat du concours national d'aide à la création d'entreprises de technologies innovantes. - Communiqués de presse
19:30
01/07/2010 : Lancement du Trophée de l'Intégration PTV Loxane 2010
sur SIG la lettre : divers

Communiqué de presse 2nd Trophée 2010 de l'intégration des composants cartographiques PTV Loxane Cergy, le 1er juillet 2010. Depuis plus de 15 ans, PTV Loxane travaille en étroite collaboration avec ses partenaires intégrateurs pour les associer aux développements des produits et contribuer à leurs succès. PTV Loxane organise pour la seconde année son Trophée de l'Intégration. Celui-ci récompense et met en lumière l'application ou la réalisation d'un partenaire qui a intégré un ou plusieurs composants (...) - Communiqués de presse
19:30
29/06/2010 : La Mairie de Paris choisit CARTEGIE pour mettre à jour et enrichir son fichier d'abonnés
sur SIG la lettre : divers

Depuis octobre 2008, CARTEGIE accompagne la Mairie de Paris dans la gestion du fichier des destinataires du magazine « à Paris ». Ce trimestriel, créé en septembre 2002, est envoyé aux résidents parisiens, particuliers et professionnels. Il est imprimé à 1 150 000 exemplaires, soit le plus grand tirage sur Paris toute presse confondue. Le communiqué complet - Communiqués de presse
19:30
29/06/2010 : Laurent Denuit nommé Directeur commercial et marketing d'ORTEC France
sur SIG la lettre : divers

COMMUNIQUE DE PRESSE Paris, le 29 juin 2010 ORTEC France annonce la nomination de Laurent Denuit au poste de Directeur Commercial et Marketing. Directeur commercial de BlueKaizen, éditeur de logiciels d'optimisation de tournées pour la collecte de déchets et la planification de services récemment rachetée par ORTEC, Laurent Denuit voit sa mission s'élargir en prenant en charge le développement commercial de la filiale française d'ORTEC. Laurent Denuit, 43 ans, bénéficie d'une expérience de 18 ans (...) - Communiqués de presse
19:30
28/06/2010 : Sortie de TinyOWS 0.9.0 – Le serveur WFS-T haute performance
sur SIG la lettre : divers

Une nouvelle version de TinyOWS, serveur WFS-T haute performance vient de sortir la semaine dernière. Cette nouvelle version introduit le support Fast-CGI pour TinyOWS et permet d'améliorer encore fortement les performances de cette solution. Cette nouvelle version de TinyOWS a été présenté à l'occasion de la conférence OsGIS UK à Nottingham, réunissant initiatives et acteurs européens sous le double parrainage OGC et OsGEO. A cette occasion des comparatifs de performances ont été réalisé avec (...) - Communiqués de presse
19:30
29/06/2010 : EIFFAGE utilise le logiciel PTV Map&Market pour la visualisation géographique de ses données
sur SIG la lettre : divers

Cergy, le 29 Juin 2010. Le Groupe EIFFAGE utilise PTV Map&Market, outil d'aide à la décision cartographique, pour analyser son marché. La mise en commun des informations sur la carte offre une vision stratégique du marché et favorise la circulation des informations au sein des services. Le développement considérable du Groupe EIFFAGE crée un nouveau besoin de mise en commun des données ainsi qu'une visualisation globale du marché. Le logiciel de géomarketing et de géomanagement PTV Map&Market répond (...) - Communiqués de presse

19:17
Allan Doyle: OGC (re)discovers URLs, but let’s tighten up the terminology a bit
sur Planet OSGeo
I had seen this tidbit that Sean Gillies writes about in the recent OGC newsletter. My thoughts were along the lines of Sean’s. I never understood the big deal behind URNs.

EDIT: Forget the semi-rant, see the comments, and then go read about URI…

But in re-reading Sean’s post and the OGC news coming out of the June 2010 meetings, I think the terminology is a bit imprecise. Too bad the source document, 10-124r1 isn’t available on the OGC web site (promised for mid-July, I see) to see if the issue is in the document or in the news page. Here’s the news page version:
OGC Identifiers – the case for http URIs’

The OGC Members approved release of ‘OGC Identifiers – the case for http URIs’ [OGC 10- 124r1] as an OGC Whitepaper. .According to the current OGC policy either URNs or http URIs may be used in OGC standards. However, the use of http URIs (a) resolves some deployment challenges and (b) provides an opportunity for easier engagement with broader communities. So OGC should now consider taking the next step, and mandate the use of http URIs for persistent identifiers in OGC specifications. This whitepaper canvasses a number of issues around this proposal.

http URI Policy

The OGC Members approved the following as official OGC policy to be included in the OGC Policies related to OGC standards [OGC 06- 135rN]:
- OGC TC directs the OGC-NA that all new OGC identifiers issued for persistent public OGC resources shall be http URIs, instead of URNs
- New standards and new major versions of existing standards shall use http URIs for persistent public OGC resources to replace OGC URN identifiers defined in previous standards and versions, unless OGC- NA approves an exception
Operational Implications: OGC should carefully manage (maintain for the long term) the [www.opengis.net] domain and identifiers in this domain
So what’s wrong? Refer to RFC3986 (or the html version). Section 1.1.3 talks about URI, URL, and URN:

A URI can be further classified as a locator, a name, or both. The term “Uniform Resource Locator” (URL) refers to the subset of URIs that, in addition to identifying a resource, provide a means of locating the resource by describing its primary access mechanism (e.g., its network “location”). The term “Uniform Resource Name” (URN) has been used historically to refer to both URIs under the “urn” scheme [RFC2141], which are required to remain globally unique and persistent even when the resource ceases to exist or becomes unavailable, and to any other URI with the properties of a name.

A URN is a kind of URI. What is called an “http URI” is really a “just” a URL in RFC3986. And, a URN need not (or I should say “need no longer”) be something with “urn:” in the scheme. A URL could be a URN based on the last part of the definition above, “any other URI with the properties of a name”

Therefore, an “http URI” (from the OGC wording) can be either a URL or a URN, based on section 1.1.3 of RFC3986. Of course, the URN is really a URL with the additional uniqueness and persistence properties. So let’s just call OGC’s newly mandated URIs URLs.

There are two primary motivations for using RFC2141 URNs. One is as a globally unique name managed by some authority. The other is as a persistent identifier, sometimes used to map onto a URL with a resolver. The trouble with the latter is that URLs really work better in the first place, and I’m guessing that’s what 10-124r1 says.

So here’s what I think they should have said in the TC:
URI Policy

The OGC Members approved the following as official OGC policy to be included in the OGC Policies related to OGC standards [OGC 06- 135rN]:
- OGC TC directs the OGC-NA that all new OGC identifiers issued for persistent public OGC resources shall be http URLs, instead of RFC2141 URNs
- New standards and new major versions of existing standards shall use http URLs for persistent public OGC resources to replace OGC RFC2141 URN identifiers defined in previous standards and versions, unless OGC- NA approves an exception
Sorry to be so pedantic. Back in the day, there would have been half a dozen people at any given TC who would have been able to argue the finer points of this for hours….

(And I just figured out what the OGC-NA is. I guess it’s the “Naming Authority”.)

19:14
Slashgeo: Geotag Survey
sur Planet Geospatial - http://planetgs.com

Anand Reddy writes "I'm a Masters student at University Muenster, Germany and we are working on a web survey of geotag pictures for a project. We would like to have your support in posting information about the survey on your website so we can reach wider audience. Following is the description of the survey and project. Please let me know. Thank you.

This web survey is about answering questions based on the most interesting pictures of a place selected by you. It provides participants an opportunity to see some of the fascinating pictures of the selected place and at the same time challenge one's knowledge/familiarity of the place. This Survey is done as part of my student project at Uni-Münster. As most of you know that millions of geotag images along with tags are uploaded to Flickr or any other social networking websites by uses from all over the world. How useful is this user generated data is what we are trying to analyze. we would be using survey as a tool to analyze the pictures (geographic feature pictures vs. non-geographic) and data (tags, location info attached to the pictures by users) uploaded to Flickr. We are interested in pictures that show some recognizable geographic features of the place, such as streets, buildings, open spaces, monuments, points of interests and so on that can be identified with the place and place name tags of these pictures. On the survey page, there are 2 options, Münster or Worldwide survey. People not familiar with Muenster, Germany please select worldwide survey for your choice of city. You can participate any number of many times as possible and any number of cities. We would need atleast 100-200 participants for each citiy to complete the survey. So please pass on this survey to as many people as possible. Any suggestions to improve the survey and also to spread it around is very much appreciated. . You participation is very valuable to us in completing this survey. Thank you."
Read more of this story at Slashgeo.

19:14
Tour de France Google Maps Challenge
sur Google Maps Mania

My Tracks TourThe Tour de France starts tomorrow and if you are up for the challenge you can build your own Google Maps Mashup showing the real-time location of all 9 riders in the HTC/Columbia Professional Cycling team.HTC/Columbia Professional Cycling team, HTC and SRM, have collaborated with Google to make available an API that will enable developers to build web applications that can display

18:54
Spatial Sustain: Cisco to Provide an Interesting Collaboration Platform
sur Planet Geospatial - http://planetgs.com

I’ve been fascinated by Cisco’s telepresence technology after seeing it demoed at the Autodesk headquarters in Waltham, Mass. The meeting room setup, where you speak to people in similar setups around the world as if you were all sitting at the same conference table, is really incredible. It saves a ton on travel costs and [...]
18:41
GISuser GIS and Location Technology news: More People Using Maps in Mobile Apps
sur Planet Geospatial - http://planetgs.com

No surprise here as many developers (mobile) have been flocking to the map as a central gateway and UI for their applications. Research out of comscore confirms this and it bodes well for the Geo...

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18:33
NSGIC News: Who Are Our Innovators?
sur Planet Geospatial - http://planetgs.com

This is not an idle, Friday-before-a-holiday question. NASCIO has posted a call for nominations for their 2010 State Technology Innovator Award and it seems likely that among the nominees there should be someone who has fostered technological innovation as a GIS coordinator or a member of a GIS coordination group in one of the states.

Someone from NSGIC.

According to the NASCIO call for nominations, the award is intended to honor state leaders, managers and employees "who have made contributions to advance the state's technology policy agenda through the promotion of best practices, adoption of new technologies and advancements in service delivery."

So. Who would that be for your state? And before you jump on twitter to DM your governor's press staff, let me add that NASCIO is not interested in nominations of governor's for this award. They are recognized by NASCIO's Technology Champion Award. And CIOs are not eligable either.

So. Who would you nominate? feel free to leave comments here or, better yet, hop over the NASCIO site and fill out a nomination form.
18:27
got geoint?: Friday’s Food for Thought: “Old School” Spy Techniques and July 4th
sur Planet Geospatial - http://planetgs.com

Welcome to the Friday’s Food for Thought post from got geoint? We hope everyone is excited for the long weekend, which marks the birth of our great nation. Each year, we typically do a July 4th-only post on the Friday before this holiday weekend, but with the sensational Russian spy story happening, we decided to make the theme all about “old school” spying techniques. So, before you head out to enjoy a weekend of BBQs and fireworks, please read and enjoy.

Russian Spies: Top 5 Old-School Espionage Technologies That Still Work
While the alleged Russian spies arrested by the FBI earlier this week employed some technologically advanced spying techniques, much of their tradecraft had a distinctively old school feel to it. However, that’s the norm in the world of international spying, experts say, where any successful trick will stay in use until it stops working. In particular, five technologies that date back decades remain common in the world of cloak and dagger. Used by CIA, the suspected Russian infiltrators and every spook in between, these technologies have stood the tests of time and counterintelligence. Read the full Christian Science Monitor article here.

The Evolution Of Spy Tools
Real spies may tell you that their lives are nothing like what you’d see in a Hollywood movie, but don’t be fooled: They’ve still got some pretty cool gadgets. And aside from the relatively recent tools that monitor electronic correspondence, most of those gizmos have been around for a pretty long time. Spies claim that theirs is the second-oldest profession, and basic espionage needs haven’t changed: looking and listening, getting the information they need, and smuggling it back home. What has changed is the way those spy gadgets work. As technology advances and enemies get smarter, spies have had to constantly re-invent the tools of their trade. Read the full Forbes article here.

Learn How to Spy on eHow.com
If you long for a little more excitement in your daily routine, you may wonder what it’s like to be a spy. You think that you have what it takes to rub noses with the rich and famous and bust bad guys during lunch hour, but there’s more to it than meets the eye. If you want to be a spy, you have to know the rules of the game. Yes, eHow actually has a page about how to be a spy. Perhaps the Russian spies were consulting this valuable source of information? Read more here.

“Old School” Movie Trailer
As our readers know, we always like to find something funny and entertaining to wrap up this weekly post. What better video to show than the trailer from the 2003 classic comedy “Old School”? We hope you enjoy:

Happy Independence Day!!
17:55
Google Earth Blog: 2010 Tour de France in Google Earth
sur Planet Geospatial - http://planetgs.com

Just like last year (and some years prior), Thomas Vergouwen has built some great files for the 2010 Tour de France and sent them our way. The race begins tomorrow, so here are a few things to help you keep up with it.

Your best place to start is with the file from Thomas, which includes a wealth of information about the race, as seen in the image above. You can download the KML here or read all about it on his blog.

Another great KML for the race comes from the Google Earth Community via steephill.tv. This file is much simpler, but if you just want to check out the course without all of the extra info, this is a great way to do it. You can download this KMZ file here.

The race starts tomorrow, so enjoy the next three weeks of racing. If you know of any other great Google Earth files to compliment the race, please leave a comment and let us know.

17:52
OpenLayers Team: WMTS Support in OpenLayers
sur Planet OSGeo

The OGC recently ratified the Web Map Tile Service Implementation Standard (WMTS) and OpenLayers followed up with a WMTS layer and capability parsing support. The layer supports both the “RESTful” and “KVP” request encoding (terms from spec), and the capabilities parser greatly helps in creating layers with the correct properties.

There are several tickets with patches that will bring additional WMTS functionality to the library. The first makes layer creation from a capabilities response easier, the second improves handling of the advertised matrix definitions, and the third brings in a control to issue GetFeatureInfo requests for WMTS layers. When these are completed and reviewed, I’ll post an update describing their use.

Big thanks to August Town, who submitted a terrific patch with the WMTS layer and capabilities parser. Additional thanks to the Danish National Survey and Cadastre and Grontmij | Carl Bro for sponsoring enhancements and fixes to the WMTS components.

17:40
Mapperz - The Mapping News Blog: Tour de France 2010 Maps
sur Planet Geospatial - http://planetgs.com

Tour de France 2010 Maps "A collection of Tour de France Maps for 2010" The Cycling event starts on 3rd July 2010 and you view some impressive mapping applications. Some will be 'live' during the...

Map and GIS News finding blog. With so many Maps and GIS sites online now it is hard to find the good from the not so good. This blog tries to cut the cream and provide you with the newest, fastest, cleanest and most user friendly maps that are available online. News has location and it is mapped.

16:30
« Le Monde » est en train de changer de main et la presse régionale fait bonne figure.
sur Articque - Les Sytèmes d'Analyse Géographique, la cartographie, le géomarketing et la géostatistique

Si la répartition des revendeurs se conforme à la structure urbaine du territoire métropolitain, ce n’est pas le cas de l’édition. En effet, à Rennes (Ouest France), à Tours (La Nouvelle République), à Clermont-Ferrand (La Montagne) ou à Montpellier (Midi Libre), on trouve des grands quotidiens régionaux qui composent et structurent des pôles locaux de la presse régionale.

En parallèle de ces grandes concentrations, les territoires du Nord et de l’Alsace s’organisent en une multitude de structures plus modestes. Et le Sud-Est semble plus discret. A Marseille en particulier, l’édition de journaux pourrait être un secteur plus actif.

Cette opposition Nord/Sud se confirme quand on compare les taux de bacheliers avec les actifs de la presse. Dans un triangle Grenoble-Marseille-Montpellier, des taux de bacheliers forts contrastent avec des effectifs de presse presque totalement absents. Idem dans les Pyrénées orientales ou dans la région de Cahors. Surprenant enfin de constater que les effectifs de la presse à Tours ou à Dijon sont comparables ou supérieurs à ceux de Bordeaux, Marseille, ou Toulouse par exemple !

En avant-première, ces cartes utilisent des symboles « transparents ». Vous pourrez les reproduire dans Cartes & Données 6.0 dès Septembre 2010.

16:09
OpenGeoData: State of the Map 2010 – Travel plans set?
sur Planet Geospatial - http://planetgs.com

[httpiimgurcomvU_vIkpw.jpg.scaled500.jpg"] />
If you have just registered for State of the Map 2010 - An informative
and fun conference jam-packed with OpenGeoData Goodness, you might
want some help with your travel plans.
You'll find some good starting points from OSM locals.
[wiki.openstreetmap.org]
And once you arrive, you'll want a place to stay. Check the plans of
some of the other delegates.
[wiki.openstreetmap.org]
There is still time to register for State of the Map 2010 in Girona, Spain.
[stateofthemap.org]
You'll want to attend SotM 2010 to participate in, and enjoy the
Concert Contest. The suggestions coming in are great.
[wiki.openstreetmap.org]

You'll want to attend SotM 2010 to meet the Bard of OSM. While not an
entry in the Concert Contest, The Bard of OSM (Dermot McNally) has
presented us with an Epic Poem for Girona
[wiki.openstreetmap.org]

You'll want to attend SotM 2010 to cast your in-person ballot for the
OSMF board election.
You'll find details on the six candidates for three positions, and how
to cast your proxy vote, here:
[wiki.openstreetmap.org]
Some discussions with the candidates can be found here:
http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Talk:Foundation/AGM10/Election_to_Board
and in this thread
[lists.openstreetmap.org]

You'll want to attend SotM 2010 to meet and hear from all of our
sponsors, including the two recently announced new Platinum Sponsors:
[http2010stateof_gJuhf.png.scaled500.png"] />
[www.aol.com]
[http2010stateof_Dddwp.png.scaled500.png"] />
[www.microsoft.com]

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15:30
Un nouveau site web pour Mercuriale DATA, lexpertise géomarketing !
sur Directions Magazine : Communiqués de presse

Un nouveau site web pour Mercuriale DATA, lexpertise géomarketing !

14:48
Les espaces virtuels (Appel à contribution)
sur Géographie 2.0

Peu ou pas de message en ce moment, la faute à la rédaction de la thèse et à la préparation d’une communication pour le colloque de l’UGI à Tel Aviv. Mais voici quand même un appel à contribution pour le deuxième numéro de Carnets de géographes, tout à fait intéressant. [calenda.revues.org] Au-delà des univers virtuels [...]

14:24
All Points Blog: LBS Tidbits
sur Planet Geospatial - http://planetgs.com

MobileBeat (a conference/competition from VentureBeat) hosts 20 companies to "battle it out" for Tesla Awards (and more importantly, buzz). Among the location-focused of the finalists, which are picked not for "cool" but for market potential: POId...Read more

14:24
LBS Tidbits
sur All Points Blog

MobileBeat (a conference/competition from VentureBeat) hosts 20 companies to "battle it out" for Tesla Awards (and more importantly, buzz). Among the location-focused of the finalists, which are picked not for "cool" but for market potential: POId...Read more

14:06
Spatial Law and Policy: Connecticut court’s ruling on FOIA and Pictometry imagery
sur Planet Geospatial - http://planetgs.com

Recently, a Superior Court in Connecticut made a ruling as to whether Pictometry imagery, metadata and software was subject to disclosure under the state's Freedom of Information Act. (FOIA). The state's Freedom of Information Commission (FOIC) ruled in 2008. (The request was made by a Mr. Stephen Whitaker, who is quite well known in FOIA circles, for cases such as this.) asked for Pictometry imagery, software and metadata under Connecticut's Freedom of Information Act.

The state's Freedom of Information Commission (FOIC) ruled in 2008 in part that:

a. software and metadata were trade secrets and therefore exempt from mandatory disclosure under FOIA; and

b. imagery was not subject to any of the FOIA exemptions and should be disclosed.

On appeal, the court in this decision ruled the following:

a. the disclosure of the imagery, without metadata and software, was not a security risk. (A security risk being one of the reasons a government agency in Connecticut does not have disclose information under FOIA);

b. material protected under the Federal Copyright Act, such as Pictometry imagery, was not exempted under the state's FOIA;

c. because the Pictometry imagery was protected by copyright, however, if Whitaker used it for anything other than "fair use" under the Copyright Act, Pictometry might have a claim against him (or perhaps the state). Specifically, the court stated: "[S]hould disclosure as ordered by the FOIC and use by Whitake not fall within "Fair Use" exception and infringe the copyright, matters not ripe for consideration here, Pictometry's rights and remedies for injunctive relief . . . remain intact. So too, it its contractual rights and remedies"; and

d. state agencies cannot charge Whitaker $25 per image they disclose to him, even though that is what they have to for each image under the contract with Pictometry.
14:01
All Points Blog: ESRI to Offer Free Location Data App
sur Planet Geospatial - http://planetgs.com

It's out - came out before ESRI UC. More interesting? Esri did not write it; Sourcebits did. Here's the Sourcebits page about it. via @iphone_app_deve --- original post 7/2/10 --- I just love the headline, from GovTech, clearly aimed at gene...Read more

14:01
ESRI to Offer Free Location Data App
sur All Points Blog

It's out - came out before ESRI UC. More interesting? Esri did not write it; Sourcebits did. Here's the Sourcebits page about it. via @iphone_app_deve --- original post 7/2/10 --- I just love the headline, from GovTech, clearly aimed at gene...Read more

13:47
Spatial Sustain: When it comes to online mapping platforms, is there more than the monetary benefits of local search?
sur Planet Geospatial - http://planetgs.com

The brewing issue of China’s regulation of online mapping sites has me thinking about the benefits that these platforms provide beyond simply local search. If you haven’t heard already, China’s State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping has started regulating online mapping sites in that country, and vows to shut down mapping sites if they aren’t [...]

11:30
01/07/2010 : WebGeo Services lauréat du concours national d'aide à la création d'entreprises de technologies innovantes.
sur SIG la lettre : divers

01/07/2010 : WebGeo Services lauréat du concours national d'aide à la création d'entreprises de technologies innovantes. - Communiqués de presse

10:51
Vector One: Meteoalarm — Web Mapping Extreme Weather
sur Planet Geospatial - http://planetgs.com

Maps provide a quick and easy means for accessing extreme weather events quickly. METEOALARM is an example of this in action. The web mapping for the site and the data are all provided by EUMETNET, the European network of meteorological services. Included is a map of Europe that includes symbology for different types of extreme [...]

10:17
Neogeo passe au cube
sur neogeo

Il y aurait cent jeux de mots à faire, de la trinité au triolisme, mais l’idée du cube est celle que je préfère. Parce que ça rappelle les cubes OLAP, et que le nouvel arrivant apporte précisément une nouvelle dimension à notre activité.

On ne le présente plus, tant son blog l’a rendu célèbre, tant ses découvertes et ses analyses pertinentes en ont fait un commentateur de référence du geoweb. Vous l’avez compris, il s’agit de Benjamin Chartier, qui rejoint aujourd’hui Neogeo Technologies en tant qu’expert Inter-opérabilité et Défense. Ses principales missions vont donc couler de source. Il représentera Neogeo Technologies auprès de l’OGC, assurera les prestations liées au domaine de la Défense, et interviendra en expertise sur l’ensemble des projets de Neogeo Technologies.

Bienvenue à Benjamin donc, et longue vie à Neogeo³ !

7:30
01/07/2010 : Lancement du Trophée de l'Intégration PTV Loxane 2010
sur SIG la lettre : divers

Communiqué de presse 2nd Trophée 2010 de l'intégration des composants cartographiques PTV Loxane Cergy, le 1er juillet 2010. Depuis plus de 15 ans, PTV Loxane travaille en étroite collaboration avec ses partenaires intégrateurs pour les associer aux développements des produits et contribuer à leurs succès. PTV Loxane organise pour la seconde année son Trophée de l'Intégration. Celui-ci récompense et met en lumière l'application ou la réalisation d'un partenaire qui a intégré un ou plusieurs composants (...) - Communiqués de presse

4:45
DeLorme Professional Weblog: XMap Advice—Reestablishing a Connection to your SQL Database
sur Planet Geospatial - http://planetgs.com

Enclosure: [download]
The symptoms are clear. You attempt to import a GIS layer into XMap and the only options in the database list are “Other” and “New.” “Where is my database?,” you ponder. “What happened to all of my other layers?” It feels like someone has walked into your office and removed the filing cabinet containing all of your important documents. “What do I do now? Where’s the panic button?”

Fortunately, the solution to this temporary predicament is usually quick and painless. The panic button is not needed.

The problem stems from the fact that XMap employs a Microsoft SQL database to store GIS data and occasionally, for reasons often too complex and bewildering to explain here, XMap refuses to “talk” to SQL and vice versa. The problem is easily solved by reintroducing both parties.

This reintroduction can be initiated in XMap from either the Manage Layers or the Import Layer window, both of which are accessed by clicking the Layers button above the Workspace table. In either case, select Other from the database drop-down list to display the Attach Database window.

Usually, the errant SQL server will be listed in the server drop-down list and will appear as either (LOCAL)\XMAP* or [your computer name]\XMAP* (* represents the version of XMap on your computer). If this is the case, simply select the server from the list, make sure Windows Authentication is checked, and click the Connect button. After a few seconds, the database list will display all of the XMap databases on your local server. For new XMap users, this list will be limited to the preconfigured database entitled DeLormeSampleDB. After selecting this or any other available database, click the OK button and continue importing or managing your layers as before.

It is likely that most of you can now stop reading this article and go back to work, secure in the knowledge that you have solved your database connection problem. However, there is a small group of you who will probably want to read on for the simple reason that your server list in the Attach Database window is conspicuously empty and you could not perform the succeeding steps.

If you are one of those unfortunate XMap users, there is an additional but very simple step that must be taken. In the blank server window, type (LOCAL)\XMAP* (* should be either 7, 6, or 5 depending on the version of XMap that was first installed on your computer and, correspondingly, the version of SQL that was created) and continue with the steps outlined above.

On rare occasions, the two solutions described will fail to rectify the database connection issue; this is usually because the SQL service is not running. Often, this problem occurs after an update to your operating system during which Windows fails to restart the service. The solution for this problem takes place outside of XMap.
1. From the Start menu, right-click My Computer and select Manage.
2. Click the plus sign next to Services and Applications and click Services.
3. In the Services window, right-click SQL Server (XMAP*) and choose either Start or Restart.
Your database should now be available in XMap.

If the XMap instance of SQL is not listed in the Services widow, you will need to reinstall it from your XMap install disk. Instructions are available here.

Thankfully, the solutions for the common XMap database connection problems are reasonably straightforward and usually the disconnection problems will not reoccur.

4:30
01/07/2010 : Lancement du Trophée de l'Intégration PTV Loxane 2010
sur SIG la lettre : divers

Communiqué de presse 2nd Trophée 2010 de l'intégration des composants cartographiques PTV Loxane Cergy, le 1er juillet 2010. Depuis plus de 15 ans, PTV Loxane travaille en étroite collaboration avec ses partenaires intégrateurs pour les associer aux développements des produits et contribuer à leurs succès. PTV Loxane organise pour la seconde année son Trophée de l'Intégration. Celui-ci récompense et met en lumière l'application ou la réalisation d'un partenaire qui a intégré un ou plusieurs composants (...) - Communiqués de presse
4:30
29/06/2010 : La Mairie de Paris choisit CARTEGIE pour mettre à jour et enrichir son fichier d'abonnés
sur SIG la lettre : divers

Depuis octobre 2008, CARTEGIE accompagne la Mairie de Paris dans la gestion du fichier des destinataires du magazine « à Paris ». Ce trimestriel, créé en septembre 2002, est envoyé aux résidents parisiens, particuliers et professionnels. Il est imprimé à 1 150 000 exemplaires, soit le plus grand tirage sur Paris toute presse confondue. Le communiqué complet - Communiqués de presse
4:30
29/06/2010 : Laurent Denuit nommé Directeur commercial et marketing d'ORTEC France
sur SIG la lettre : divers

COMMUNIQUE DE PRESSE Paris, le 29 juin 2010 ORTEC France annonce la nomination de Laurent Denuit au poste de Directeur Commercial et Marketing. Directeur commercial de BlueKaizen, éditeur de logiciels d'optimisation de tournées pour la collecte de déchets et la planification de services récemment rachetée par ORTEC, Laurent Denuit voit sa mission s'élargir en prenant en charge le développement commercial de la filiale française d'ORTEC. Laurent Denuit, 43 ans, bénéficie d'une expérience de 18 ans (...) - Communiqués de presse
4:30
28/06/2010 : Sortie de TinyOWS 0.9.0 – Le serveur WFS-T haute performance
sur SIG la lettre : divers

Une nouvelle version de TinyOWS, serveur WFS-T haute performance vient de sortir la semaine dernière. Cette nouvelle version introduit le support Fast-CGI pour TinyOWS et permet d'améliorer encore fortement les performances de cette solution. Cette nouvelle version de TinyOWS a été présenté à l'occasion de la conférence OsGIS UK à Nottingham, réunissant initiatives et acteurs européens sous le double parrainage OGC et OsGEO. A cette occasion des comparatifs de performances ont été réalisé avec (...) - Communiqués de presse
4:30
29/06/2010 : EIFFAGE utilise le logiciel PTV Map&Market pour la visualisation géographique de ses données
sur SIG la lettre : divers

Cergy, le 29 Juin 2010. Le Groupe EIFFAGE utilise PTV Map&Market, outil d'aide à la décision cartographique, pour analyser son marché. La mise en commun des informations sur la carte offre une vision stratégique du marché et favorise la circulation des informations au sein des services. Le développement considérable du Groupe EIFFAGE crée un nouveau besoin de mise en commun des données ainsi qu'une visualisation globale du marché. Le logiciel de géomarketing et de géomanagement PTV Map&Market répond (...) - Communiqués de presse
4:30
24/06/2010 : La société française Pole Star à la conquête de l'Ouest américain
sur SIG la lettre : divers

Créée en 2002, la société française Pole Star est aujourd'hui leader sur le marché de la géolocation Indoor (à l'intérieur des bâtiments). Sa technologie, NAO Campus®, est actuellement la seule solution opérationnelle disponible sur le marché. - Communiqués de presse

4:19
DeLorme Professional Weblog: XMap Q&A—I’ve been using the Draw tools for asset mapping; could this be described as GIS?
sur Planet Geospatial - http://planetgs.com

Enclosure: [download]

This issue could be debated at length and the response will likely vary depending on who is being asked. Before proceeding, it is worthwhile that we first come up with an explanation for the phrase Geographic Information System. By individually considering the three components of the term, we can create a clear and concise definition.

The word Geographic obviously means that it relates to location; Information tells us that there is some sort of data related to that location; and, finally, System implies that we are dealing with more than just a map or even mapping software—but, rather, a multi-faceted process that allows us to consider the data in the context of its location. Therefore, a GIS is simply a system for analyzing information as it relates to location.

So can it be argued that a map generated using the Draw tools in XMap or any other DeLorme software is a GIS? Certainly the Draw tab provides a variety of tools placing points, lines, and polygons on the map and for customizing the symbolization of each object. What’s missing is the ability to assign data or attributes to these objects. The flag on the map might convey to the viewer that there is an item of interest at that location, but it will not paint the complete picture by offering access to the relevant data about that item.

In most cases, the step up from simple mapping to a fully-fledged GIS is fairly straightforward. If you have already taken the time to create a draw layer that shows the location of your data objects, you are halfway there. All you need to do is import the draw layer into the GIS tab in XMap, then either manually add as many different attribute fields as you need or, better yet, import and link existing data in such formats as Microsoft^® Excel, Access, or even text, and then automatically assign each row of data to the appropriate point.

Before long, you will realize the benefit of having your data geographically assigned in this way. Through processes such as classification and querying, you will be able to discern patterns in your data that would otherwise have gone unnoticed. Furthermore, data stored in a GIS format can be easily shared through a common database connection, within which permission settings will allow varying levels of access. This helps ensure that everyone in your organization has the latest versions of your data.

To read more about the benefits of a GIS click here.

If you have a question that you would like to have answered in the DeLorme Professional Newsletter XMap Q&A section, send it to newsletter@delorme.com with XMap Q&A in the subject line.
4:05
DeLorme Professional Weblog: XMap at Work–Using XMap Forms to Collect or Edit Data
sur Planet Geospatial - http://planetgs.com

Enclosure: [download]

Those of you who follow the DeLorme Professional Newsletter will hopefully be familiar with the functional capabilities XMap Forms. In recent editions, we have described the procedure of creating a form, for establishing constraints within a layer, for deploying a form and any accompanying data to multiple XMap users utilizing XMap’s synchronization process, and for sending data to and from the PN-Series GPS receivers. Upon reflection it would appear that we neglected to cover what is perhaps the most important aspect of XMap Forms functionality: How is it used?

At the risk of jumping in at the deep end, this article will bypass the XMap Forms setup process and discuss the use of this technology in real world situations. If you would like to read more of the background information, refer to this article from the November 2009 newsletter or visit the XMap Forms page on xmap.com.

The following are some examples of XMap Forms at work in a variety of fields.

Oil and Gas Pipeline Inspection and Maintenance

One of the challenges in the energy sector is that a lot of work is done in remote and often inhospitable environments. DeLorme has addressed some of the specific concerns of the oil and gas industry by developing GIS tools that are ideally suited for field technicians and that provide a mechanism for collecting and submitting data to a central GIS. XMap’s synchronization tool, which offers an efficient means to transfer updated, location-specific data to work crews at the jobsite, becomes even more powerful when those same technicians can remotely collect information about their field assets and automatically integrate this data in to an Enterprise database at the corporate office.

In this context, XMap forms functionality transforms the Professional version of XMap from a field data viewer into a powerful data collector. These field-based personnel do not need to have an intimate knowledge of the workings of a GIS; instead, they simply fill out the required information about a pipeline at each location using preconfigured dropdown lists and simple text entry. XMap Forms, as an add-on feature of the synchronization process, empowers field technicians to become direct participants in the process of building and maintaining the company’s GIS infrastructure.

Natural Resource Management and Habitat Monitoring

When considering the protection of areas of environmental concern, two key questions must be addressed: Where is it? and What is it? Thankfully, the form-based data collection on the PN-Series GPS receivers can help answer both questions. GPS has long been an important component of the field biologist’s toolkit. When collecting data on such things as nesting sites, it is critical to note specifically where each nest is located as well as any additional site-specific information. Most GPS receivers offer limited data collection functionality and usually allow only a label and a brief comment to be assigned to each collected waypoint. Any additional information must be hand-written and manually assigned to each point back at the office or lab. Needless to say, this process is highly susceptible to human error and to the creation of incorrect data that may impact any derived scientific study.

The PN-Series GPS receivers are comparable to many handheld GPS devices on the market today in terms of price and ease of use. The distinction lies in the fact the entire process of field data collection, including the collection of a complete set of attributes for each point, can be performed in the field. The structure of the data collection form ensures that each attribute is consistent and it allows the resulting data to be directly integrated into a GIS, eliminating the need for any manual transfer of additional detail from handwritten notes.

Crime Mapping and Evidence Collection

In recent years, GIS has found a firm foothold in the field of criminal investigation and forensic analysis. It is often the spatial nature of the collected evidence that provides the essential clues for solving the crime. To ensure this process works effectively, evidence must be accurately cataloged, preferably onsite, so a robust location-based data collection device is essential. The PN-Series GPS receiver works well in this situation because it is rugged, waterproof, and compact. Furthermore, using XMap Forms offers the means to create a complete database of information about the crime.

Criminal investigators are usually called into action at a moment’s notice, so having a preconfigured form is strategically important. Because forms reside on the external SD card inserted into the PN-Series device, a library of different forms can be created and the appropriate form activated for a given situation.

Highway Maintenance and Repair

Anyone who lives in the northern tier states of the U.S. or any similar cold climate zone will attest to the fact that the roads take a beating in the winter months. Come spring, work crews are quickly deployed to patch the potholes and, if necessary, resurface the pavement. Before this work is undertaken, a thorough inspection process must be performed to ascertain which areas are of most concern and to document the level of damage, often with accompanying photographs.

XMap Forms deployed on a laptop computer in the inspection vehicle is ideally suited for this task. Each damage location can be quickly assigned as a GIS point and, using a series of preconfigured attribute fields and drop-down lists, the relevant information can be attached to each location. Photographic evidence can also be associated with each collected point after uploading images from a digital camera. The form interface offers a simple upload button which copies the photograph or any other file into the GIS database.

After the inspection work is complete, XMap’s synchronization function automatically transfers the points and the accompanying photographs to the department’s GIS administrator. With immediate access to this information, maintenance managers can allocate resources quickly and effectively.

Utility Pole Data Collection

To the layperson, all utility poles seem to be the same, but to a utility technician, each has its own characteristics and hardware configuration. Cataloging this information is essential for maintenance planning, service upgrading, and emergency preparedness. Collecting data on utility poles can be a laborious and time-consuming process, but using XMap Forms on either a laptop computer or on a PN-Series device, the process is not only faster but much more accurate.

Many of the attributes associated with a utility pole inventory will be consistent for each pole. For instance, most of the poles might be owned by one specific utility agency or company, so it is inefficient to manually add this attribute for each point. XMap Forms offers a simple solution for this. If necessary, each field can be assigned an initial or default value in XMap, which means the form can be pre-populated with the most common values and edited only if needed.

While most poles are likely to be adjacent to a road, allowing the collection of data by vehicle, there are occasions when the technician is required to venture off-road to gather the necessary information. In such situations, XMap Forms on both the in-vehicle laptop and on the handheld PN-Series GPS receiver can be used to populate a single GIS layer with pole data. At the end of the day, the technician simply merges the data from the PN and the computer and a complete GIS dataset is created.

These scenarios describe some typical uses for XMap Forms technology; however, there is virtually no limit to the ways in which this innovative data collection tool can be put to work. As always, we want to hear from you. If you are interested in sharing an account of how you use XMap Forms, please email prosales@delorme.com with the details.
3:52
GISuser GIS and Location Technology news: Music in the park… #gottalovesummer [Flickr]
sur Planet Geospatial - http://planetgs.com

GISuser.com GIS and Social, Mobile Tech Images posted a photo:

Posted by twitter.com/gletham

3:24
L'âge des métapoles (F. Ascher)
sur Les Cafés géographiques

François Ascher, L'âge des métapoles, Editions de l'Aube, 2010
Dix séquences autour de dix textes fondateurs désignés par François Ascher avant sa disparition. Alain Bourdin a compilé ces textes en y adjoignant ce qu'il nomme "des textes d'appuis" (articles de journaux, autres textes...). En écrivant Métapolis en 1995, François Ascher inventait une nouvelle manière de comprendre et d'expliquer la ville. L'analyse de la société (la société hypertexte, qui s'explique par la multi-appartenance des individus à des groupes (...)

3:13
Edmar Moretti: Mapa contínuo com tiles
sur Planet OSGeo

A utilização do modo tile para criação de um mapa interativo, além da melhor interação com o usuário durante a navegação no mapa, resolve um problema do modo convencional que é a descontinuidade do mapa mundi.

Esse efeito é ilustrado nas figuras abaixo. A primeira utiliza o modo convencional e a segunda o modo tile.

2:26
LiDAR News: Laser Scanning Submarine Hulls
sur Planet Geospatial - http://planetgs.com

1. 25 years ago I took a tour of a Los Angeles class fast attack submarine. 2. The hull is covered with rubber tiles to make the sub less detectable with sonar. 3. Creaform has sold the US...

Click Title to Continue Reading...
1:59
James Fee GIS Blog: The ESRI UC Q&a Response Is Up
sur Planet Geospatial - http://planetgs.com

One of the best insights into ESRI and their direction is the UC Q&A. ESRI has posted the latest one here and some highlights are below:

Q: What has ESRI done in the area of map books?

A: At ArcGIS 10, functionality has been added to allow you to create map books using a feature layer to define map extents for multiple pages. This new functionality, in conjunction with all the other enhancements to support map books, is referred to as data driven pages. Data driven pages give you the ability to generate multiple pages by taking a single layout and iterating over a set of map extents. Any feature layer, point, line or polygon can be used, along with a margin, to define the extents.

A question I still get asked again and again is when is ESRI going to update DS Mapbook. Well now you’ve got a real solution built into ArcGIS 10.

Q: Does ArcGIS 10 open up more functionality for use with Python?

A: Python integration is one of the key features of ArcGIS 10. At this release we’ve introduced a new Python subsystem called ArcPy, which exposes many of the ArcGIS functions.

ArcPy is still a little kludgy, but wasn’t isn’t with ArcGIS 10.

Q: What are “add-ins” and how do I use them?

A: The new ArcGIS Desktop add-in model provides developers a method to easily extend desktop application capabilities. This is done with a declaratively based framework for creating blocks of custom functionality within a single compressed file. These add-in files can then be easily shared between users without relying on installation programs or Component Object Model (COM) registration. Add-in files can be installed by copying them to a well-known folder location and uninstalled by deleting them from that folder location.

Add-ins are really a game changer for ESRI extension/toolbar developers.

Q: When will ArcGIS Desktop be able to take full advantage of the 64-bit operating systems?

A: We are aware of the need for 64-bit desktop support. ArcGIS Desktop is currently a 32-bit application that is fully supported on 64-bit versions of Windows operating systems. We have started the migration to 64-bit ArcGIS. Our priority will be to complete the migration of ArcGIS Server first (the next release).

Basically sit back and wait for Server to go 64-bit first.

Q: Can I open a map that was built using Maplex on a computer that does not have that extension enabled?

A: Yes. At ArcGIS 10 users can open map documents authored using Maplex in a “read only” mode on any ArcGIS Desktop regardless of whether the Maplex extension is enabled. The map retains all the labeling properties. The Maplex extension is required to edit or alter them.

I’m sure this will make all Maplex users happy. A wonderful change…

Q: How does GIS Data ReViewer help review crowd sourced data?

A: GIS Data ReViewer provides tools for sampling and visual review of large datasets such as crowd sourced data. The sampling check automatically generates a statistical sampling of features or records from one or more layers or tables for your review. Using this tool, you can ensure that your data meets the accuracy standards put forth by your organization. GIS Data ReViewer also provides guided visual review tools that allow you to keep track of the areas / features that have been through the quality control process.

It is a new world isn’t it?

Q: Is VBA supported with ArcGIS Desktop 10?

A: Yes, ArcGIS Desktop 10 does support Microsoft VBA. However ArcGIS 10 is the last version with VBA support, so we encourage you to start the migration process. Python is an integral part of ArcGIS Desktop for automating tasks and the new add-in capabilities allow developers to easily create and deploy ArcMap customizations.

An important change at version 10 is that VBA is not part of the ArcGIS Desktop install. If you need VBA, you need to install the ArcObjects VBA SDK, which will setup the VBA Runtime, Editor, and Help. Please note that an additional authorization file is required for VBA. This is a no charge license that can be requested from ESRI Customer Service.

Not only is the writing on the wall, but the door is closing. Migrate those VBA apps now!

Q: Are ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS.com closed communities?

A: No. ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS.com are fully open and accessible to anyone and include access to the rich set of ESRI-hosted basemaps and image services. Shared items from ESRI and the user community are available for use in a variety of ways with free, lightweight Web applications like the ArcGIS Web Map and ArcGIS Explorer Online as well as ArcGIS Desktop 10. The services are published using standard and open RESTful architecture, and can be consumed in many different ways. Free Web APIs are available that enable developers to use these resources freely.

I personally think ESRI is answering this question all wrong. Part of it is that they define open one and and others define it another way. For now I still see them getting beaten up on ArcGIS Online being closed.

Q: How is ArcGIS being integrated with Python statistics packages?

A: At the data level, ArcGIS 10 supports import and export of rasters to NumPy arrays; this is a starting point in many statistical analysis workflows. On the Geoprocessing Resource Center Model and Script Tool Gallery you will also find examples of using R in ArcGIS 10, and we expect to expand these samples throughout the year.

Very nice that ESRI is taking it upon themselves to push some of these Python packages. I think all boats will rise in the Python community because of it.

Q: Is there a place for “crowdsourced” data in my “authoritative” GIS environment?

A: Sometimes referred to as volunteered geographic information (VGI) or user-generated content (UGC), crowdsourced data is contributed by nonauthoritative sources (e.g., everyday citizens). The challenge for GIS practitioners is to ensure the usability of this data in a GIS workflow or to turn this crowdsourced data into useful geographic knowledge. This can mean checking the data to make sure that it is correct. It can also mean getting involved in data collection; structuring the process to ensure that the collected data has meaning and is appropriate as well as accurate.

Does anyone else get the feeling of someone taking down with this response. At least that is my “authoritative” response.

Q: What is the future of the Web ADF?

A: The Web ADFs will be deprecated in the next release after ArcGIS Server 10.

Hmm, I think I need a picture of me dancing on Web ADF’s grave.

Q: Will ArcGIS be available for iPhone, iPad or other iOS devices?

A: Yes. ArcGIS for iOS is the latest ESRI mobile product available at the ArcGIS 10 release that extends GIS to the popular Apple iOS platform. It includes a ready to deploy application which will be downloadable from the Apple App Store, and a native Objective C API that developers can use to build GIS applications that meet their business needs. By making ArcGIS available for iOS, existing customers can extend the reach of their GIS to a wider market.

Apple’s platforms are going to be a key part of ESRI’s mobile strategy moving forward.

Q: Will ESRI support the Android phone?

A: We will continue to build on our supported mobile platforms. We plan to release both an API and an application for the Android operating system around the end of this year.

Makes sense, having ArcGIS Mobile on the two big mobile platforms is not unexpected.

Q: Is Visual Basic (VB) 6 supported with ArcGIS 10?

A: No, as previously announced, ArcGIS 10 doesn’t include a Visual Basic 6 SDK or support. Older VB 6 code will need to be migrated using Visual Studio 2008 or 2010 (VB.NET or C#). The ArcObjects SDK provides several topics on migrating to VB.NET.

VBA devs take note, you’ll be experiencing this answer next year.

Q: Is ArcGIS open?

A: Yes. ArcGIS is open, and it is interoperable.

This is how they should have answered the ArcGIS Online Open question. There are ways to interact with ArcGIS and they have support for some open standards. Better than most GIS companies…

Q: Why has ESRI released its REST APIs as open technology? What does it mean?

A: We see this as a big thing. In many ways, by releasing the ArcGIS REST APIs as open technology, ESRI is repeating what it did in the early 90s…releasing shapefiles as an open data format.

Hmm, I say shapefiles and REST APIs are apples and oranges, but clearly ESRI is using the word “open” as much as they can with their APIs.

Q: How does ArcGIS 10 support OpenStreetMap?

A: You can use OpenStreetMap as a basemap in ArcGIS. ESRI has also developed OSMEditor (OpenStreetMap Editor) and provides it as a free add-on for ArcGIS Desktop. This technology supports disconnected editing, template-based editing, and basic conflict detection.

Nice, very nice!

Q: How does ArcGIS support open source?

A: While ESRI is not an open source company, we are empathetic to the open source movement and seek to collaborate on interoperability that further integrates our technology with this environment.

A nice pragmatic answer to a tough question. I think that is all anyone could ask for. BTW, I’m empathetic towards sea turtles.

Q: What are ESRI’s plans for 64-bit native support?

A: ESRI is actively working to ensure that our server technology runs natively on 64-bit operating systems. This is a major undertaking and a high priority for the ArcGIS Server team. The next release of ArcGIS Server after 10 will run entirely as a 64-bit application.

I’m sure ESRI is counting the days until they can stop answering this question with their “we can run as 32-bit on 64-bit operating systems”.

Q: Does ESRI have plans to support native Mac OS?

A: ESRI has no plans to support native Mac OS for ArcGIS Desktop. However, we have a growing number of users who have adopted the Mac platform for running their ArcGIS Desktop applications using Windows emulation software. We have had excellent feedback regarding interoperability and performance of the Windows environment on this Intel-based platform.

ArcGIS Server applications based on the ArcGIS Web Mapping APIs (JavaScript, Flex, and Silverlight) work well on Mac OS.

Yea, ArcObjects on Mac OS X? Never going to happen.

Anyway looks like some exciting stuff going on. I hope everyone has a chance to drop by and see us at the UC or for adult beverages after.

1:59
The ESRI UC Q&a Response Is Up
sur James Fee GIS Blog

One of the best insights into ESRI and their direction is the UC Q&A. ESRI has posted the latest one here and some highlights are below:

Q: What has ESRI done in the area of map books?

A: At ArcGIS 10, functionality has been added to allow you to create map books using a feature layer to define map extents for multiple pages. This new functionality, in conjunction with all the other enhancements to support map books, is referred to as data driven pages. Data driven pages give you the ability to generate multiple pages by taking a single layout and iterating over a set of map extents. Any feature layer, point, line or polygon can be used, along with a margin, to define the extents.

A question I still get asked again and again is when is ESRI going to update DS Mapbook. Well now you’ve got a real solution built into ArcGIS 10.

Q: Does ArcGIS 10 open up more functionality for use with Python?

A: Python integration is one of the key features of ArcGIS 10. At this release we’ve introduced a new Python subsystem called ArcPy, which exposes many of the ArcGIS functions.

ArcPy is still a little kludgy, but wasn’t isn’t with ArcGIS 10.

Q: What are “add-ins” and how do I use them?

A: The new ArcGIS Desktop add-in model provides developers a method to easily extend desktop application capabilities. This is done with a declaratively based framework for creating blocks of custom functionality within a single compressed file. These add-in files can then be easily shared between users without relying on installation programs or Component Object Model (COM) registration. Add-in files can be installed by copying them to a well-known folder location and uninstalled by deleting them from that folder location.

Add-ins are really a game changer for ESRI extension/toolbar developers.

Q: When will ArcGIS Desktop be able to take full advantage of the 64-bit operating systems?

A: We are aware of the need for 64-bit desktop support. ArcGIS Desktop is currently a 32-bit application that is fully supported on 64-bit versions of Windows operating systems. We have started the migration to 64-bit ArcGIS. Our priority will be to complete the migration of ArcGIS Server first (the next release).

Basically sit back and wait for Server to go 64-bit first.

Q: Can I open a map that was built using Maplex on a computer that does not have that extension enabled?

A: Yes. At ArcGIS 10 users can open map documents authored using Maplex in a “read only” mode on any ArcGIS Desktop regardless of whether the Maplex extension is enabled. The map retains all the labeling properties. The Maplex extension is required to edit or alter them.

I’m sure this will make all Maplex users happy. A wonderful change…

Q: How does GIS Data ReViewer help review crowd sourced data?

A: GIS Data ReViewer provides tools for sampling and visual review of large datasets such as crowd sourced data. The sampling check automatically generates a statistical sampling of features or records from one or more layers or tables for your review. Using this tool, you can ensure that your data meets the accuracy standards put forth by your organization. GIS Data ReViewer also provides guided visual review tools that allow you to keep track of the areas / features that have been through the quality control process.

It is a new world isn’t it?

Q: Is VBA supported with ArcGIS Desktop 10?

A: Yes, ArcGIS Desktop 10 does support Microsoft VBA. However ArcGIS 10 is the last version with VBA support, so we encourage you to start the migration process. Python is an integral part of ArcGIS Desktop for automating tasks and the new add-in capabilities allow developers to easily create and deploy ArcMap customizations.

An important change at version 10 is that VBA is not part of the ArcGIS Desktop install. If you need VBA, you need to install the ArcObjects VBA SDK, which will setup the VBA Runtime, Editor, and Help. Please note that an additional authorization file is required for VBA. This is a no charge license that can be requested from ESRI Customer Service.

Not only is the writing on the wall, but the door is closing. Migrate those VBA apps now!

Q: Are ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS.com closed communities?

A: No. ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS.com are fully open and accessible to anyone and include access to the rich set of ESRI-hosted basemaps and image services. Shared items from ESRI and the user community are available for use in a variety of ways with free, lightweight Web applications like the ArcGIS Web Map and ArcGIS Explorer Online as well as ArcGIS Desktop 10. The services are published using standard and open RESTful architecture, and can be consumed in many different ways. Free Web APIs are available that enable developers to use these resources freely.

I personally think ESRI is answering this question all wrong. Part of it is that they define open one and and others define it another way. For now I still see them getting beaten up on ArcGIS Online being closed.

Q: How is ArcGIS being integrated with Python statistics packages?

A: At the data level, ArcGIS 10 supports import and export of rasters to NumPy arrays; this is a starting point in many statistical analysis workflows. On the Geoprocessing Resource Center Model and Script Tool Gallery you will also find examples of using R in ArcGIS 10, and we expect to expand these samples throughout the year.

Very nice that ESRI is taking it upon themselves to push some of these Python packages. I think all boats will rise in the Python community because of it.

Q: Is there a place for “crowdsourced” data in my “authoritative” GIS environment?

A: Sometimes referred to as volunteered geographic information (VGI) or user-generated content (UGC), crowdsourced data is contributed by nonauthoritative sources (e.g., everyday citizens). The challenge for GIS practitioners is to ensure the usability of this data in a GIS workflow or to turn this crowdsourced data into useful geographic knowledge. This can mean checking the data to make sure that it is correct. It can also mean getting involved in data collection; structuring the process to ensure that the collected data has meaning and is appropriate as well as accurate.

Does anyone else get the feeling of someone taking down with this response. At least that is my “authoritative” response.

Q: What is the future of the Web ADF?

A: The Web ADFs will be deprecated in the next release after ArcGIS Server 10.

Hmm, I think I need a picture of me dancing on Web ADF’s grave.

Q: Will ArcGIS be available for iPhone, iPad or other iOS devices?

A: Yes. ArcGIS for iOS is the latest ESRI mobile product available at the ArcGIS 10 release that extends GIS to the popular Apple iOS platform. It includes a ready to deploy application which will be downloadable from the Apple App Store, and a native Objective C API that developers can use to build GIS applications that meet their business needs. By making ArcGIS available for iOS, existing customers can extend the reach of their GIS to a wider market.

Apple’s platforms are going to be a key part of ESRI’s mobile strategy moving forward.

Q: Will ESRI support the Android phone?

A: We will continue to build on our supported mobile platforms. We plan to release both an API and an application for the Android operating system around the end of this year.

Makes sense, having ArcGIS Mobile on the two big mobile platforms is not unexpected.

Q: Is Visual Basic (VB) 6 supported with ArcGIS 10?

A: No, as previously announced, ArcGIS 10 doesn’t include a Visual Basic 6 SDK or support. Older VB 6 code will need to be migrated using Visual Studio 2008 or 2010 (VB.NET or C#). The ArcObjects SDK provides several topics on migrating to VB.NET.

VBA devs take note, you’ll be experiencing this answer next year.

Q: Is ArcGIS open?

A: Yes. ArcGIS is open, and it is interoperable.

This is how they should have answered the ArcGIS Online Open question. There are ways to interact with ArcGIS and they have support for some open standards. Better than most GIS companies…

Q: Why has ESRI released its REST APIs as open technology? What does it mean?

A: We see this as a big thing. In many ways, by releasing the ArcGIS REST APIs as open technology, ESRI is repeating what it did in the early 90s…releasing shapefiles as an open data format.

Hmm, I say shapefiles and REST APIs are apples and oranges, but clearly ESRI is using the word “open” as much as they can with their APIs.

Q: How does ArcGIS 10 support OpenStreetMap?

A: You can use OpenStreetMap as a basemap in ArcGIS. ESRI has also developed OSMEditor (OpenStreetMap Editor) and provides it as a free add-on for ArcGIS Desktop. This technology supports disconnected editing, template-based editing, and basic conflict detection.

Nice, very nice!

Q: How does ArcGIS support open source?

A: While ESRI is not an open source company, we are empathetic to the open source movement and seek to collaborate on interoperability that further integrates our technology with this environment.

A nice pragmatic answer to a tough question. I think that is all anyone could ask for. BTW, I’m empathetic towards sea turtles.

Q: What are ESRI’s plans for 64-bit native support?

A: ESRI is actively working to ensure that our server technology runs natively on 64-bit operating systems. This is a major undertaking and a high priority for the ArcGIS Server team. The next release of ArcGIS Server after 10 will run entirely as a 64-bit application.

I’m sure ESRI is counting the days until they can stop answering this question with their “we can run as 32-bit on 64-bit operating systems”.

Q: Does ESRI have plans to support native Mac OS?

A: ESRI has no plans to support native Mac OS for ArcGIS Desktop. However, we have a growing number of users who have adopted the Mac platform for running their ArcGIS Desktop applications using Windows emulation software. We have had excellent feedback regarding interoperability and performance of the Windows environment on this Intel-based platform.

ArcGIS Server applications based on the ArcGIS Web Mapping APIs (JavaScript, Flex, and Silverlight) work well on Mac OS.

Yea, ArcObjects on Mac OS X? Never going to happen.

Anyway looks like some exciting stuff going on. I hope everyone has a chance to drop by and see us at the UC or for adult beverages after.

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