Thursday, September 18. 2008

Report on Cloud Computing

Use of Cloud Computing Applications and Services is the latest report from the Pew Internet and American Life Project. It's geared to casual vs. corporate, but we all know that home tech use eventually makes it to the workplace in some form. (For example, Yammer could be thought of as the corporate version of Twitter.)

Microsoft Planning Russia Data Acquisition for Virtual Earth

"Several days ago “Microsoft” corporation and two Russian companies held a meeting, where current state of “Virtual Earth” project has been discussed."

It sounds like 3D models and flyovers with the UltraCam are in the works.

- Russia-InfoCenter

How to get users to use GPS more...

Sensis (owned by Telstra), a provider of online mapping systems (Whereis) and data for GPSs in Australia did some research:

"Consumer research conducted by Whereis claimed that most GPS users only use their devices for unfamiliar routes or non-routine driving."

So, how to get users to "get more" out of it?

"However speed limit information adds a second motivation for consumers to purchase a GPS unit and increases the value the consumer gains from their purchase, according to the company."

- SmartHouse

Students (and others): Read this!

Amy Gahran over at Poynter details why a blog is Media Career Insurance. I could probably rewrite the argument and suggestions for GIS careers, but it'd be redundant (besides, she's a better writer than I...)

These days your online presence, professional and otherwise, is part of your resume. When I started out in GIS I recall reading that the best way to "become known" as an expert was to write articles in your field. I didn't set out to do that, exactly, but the early writing I did in print certainly got me known and ultimately here at Directions. Now, however, everyone, CEOs, tech folks and everyone in between may be called upon to host or contribute to a blog or blogs related to their positions. Why not make it easier for potential hires to evaluate your writing skills/thinking/creativity/personality/how you react to criticism/etc. on your blog? Be yourself, but be professional. Consider the geoblogs/bloggers you read: Would you hire any of those folks? Inquire about the products the company behind them offers? If you read them even somewhat regularly, you get a sense of them, or an opinion at the very least.

I have my Penn State MGIS students post videos and reports to personal blogs and then have their peers offer questions and comments. I want them to get a feel for writing and reading blogs in a "professional" setting. I have no doubt they'll be reading and likely writing them at some point.

ESRI E-book Gathers Essays on Geography and GIS

Reader Matt shared that ESRI has pulled together a series of articles done for ArcNews into a free e-book on GIS Best Practices: Essays on Geography and GIS (pdf). They are all by academics but focus on different areas and topics. I can see these being valuable for educators - online and otherwise.