Wednesday, October 21. 2009

Google's Michael Jones on Google Map's Parcel Layer

I had a short discussion with Michael Jones, Google's chief technology advocate, about the incorporation of the parcel layer in Google Maps. Jones said it was truly nothing more than improving Google's ability to provide more accurate geocoding. When I discussed the notion that it was integrated so as to increase potential ad revenue from the real estate industry, he dismissed that notion. He conveyed that real estate was a narrow audience in terms of specific searches for commercial or residential information and that was not the intent.

He also mentioned that he believed at some point the supplier of the parcel information would eventually come forward which led me to believe that it was not Google that was suppressing the information about the source.

Why is it important to know the source? I think it's simply a matter of understanding the intent that either party had by incorporating a data layer that seemed atypical for Google to do. Any more atypical than subsea terrain data? Any more atypical than displaying 3D buildings and their facades? Any more atypical than topographic data? All these data types seemed at one time the purview for applications by the GIS and CAD community but now are seen and used by millions of consumers on an atypical platform; i.e. not a GIS system, and are now being used by developers using the Google Maps API. With every new data type that Google introduces into Maps and Earth more questions arise about "what's next?" Such as the new real estate listings layer just announced today. According to Mr. Jones, "It is interesting to use the price ranges (more than $20m, say, for expensive houses, or under $20k for inexpensive ones) to create a browseable information surface of the country's housing demographics."

NGA Director Discusses New Agency Charter

Director Vice Admiral Robert Murrett delivered an address at the GEOINT symposium and discussed the new charter of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) which was signed in July 2009 by the Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates. The charter establishes a dual role for the NGA as the geospatial intelligence functional manager for the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community. Elements of the charter that have been completely incorporated to date include the Central Imagery Office, the Defense Dissemination Program Office, the National Photographic Interpretation Center and the Defense Mapping Agency. One element that has been a point of controversy that is not as yet incorporated into the charter is the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), responsible for the nation's spy satellites, whose existence is being questioned and whose charter is under review. Some of the controversy involves the plan for next generation of electro-optical satellites to support the intelligence community and what the role of the NRO should be, if any, according to an article in the Online Defense and Acquisition Journal.

Director of National Intelligence Addresses #GEOINT Audience - Why?

The Director of National Intelligence (DNI), Dennis Blair, addressed the GEOINT Symposium audience this morning in a keynote address. Blair is the person responsible for the coordination of intelligence information between the various intelligence agencies in the U.S. government. The purpose of his presentation was to brief the audience on the four goals of the DNI:

1. To enable wise national security policies and give a clear picture of the facts on the ground from around the world.
2. Support effective national security action once the administration makes a decision to deploy troops or other teams (NGO’s, etc.) and to provide these teams with information to be effective in the field.
3. Provide technological innovation.
4. Work as a single integrated team – sharing information and skills. Basically, the DNI serves as a coordinator to balance intelligence for military requirements with cost and risk.

These are wonderful goals and perhaps need to be articulated to some. However, I find this type of presentation to be of little value as a whole. It is great PR but serves little to advance the dialog among the attendees. I think the charter of the DNI is well defined but most of his job is done in the "dark" anyway. To address a public forum seems counter to his role as an intelligence officer and, frankly, isn’t necessary.  This information can be easily conveyed through other sources and seems somewhat a waste of the director’s time (and taxpayer money) to try and articulate his functional role. Finally, he just isn't going to divulge information to this audience that is "news."

I can only imagine his job is difficult enough in trying to break down barriers of intelligence gathering among entrenched agency culture without having to determine what is or isn't appropriate in a public forum.

First American Spatial Solutions Confirms the Company is NOT the Provider of Google’s Parcel Layer

In a conversation with Scott Little, First American Spatial Solutions (FASS) vice president, he confirmed that the company was not the provider of the parcel layers now seen in Google Maps. He wanted to dispel some of the rumors that have been circulating and feels that Google’s introduction of parcels will raise awareness of the potential applications that can now be developed with having these data available.

When asked if FASS had been in discussions with Google about supplying them with the data, Little said, “We have had general discussions for a pretty good amount of time. With that said, our focus has always been on providing a premium product…keeping it fresh and I think that for those reasons we’ve looked at this through different colored glasses. There is obviously room for multiple people to exist in the market. What Google is doing is very positive."

Tuesday, October 20. 2009

First WorldView-2 Imagery from DigitalGlobe

DigitalGlobe has released the first imagery available from WorldView-2.

A Geographer at the State Department

At the GEOINT Conference, Dr. Lee Schwartz spoke about his job as the geographer for the U.S. Department of State, and, in particular, working with a new administration. "I"m often asked what is my job like with the change of administration," said Schwartz. He said that he is faced with making GEOINT relevant to the most senior policy makers because it is still a challenge. Not many of them appreciate the technology.

Schwartz also noted how the geospatial community is somewhat inward focused. "We as a community are far too self congratulatory. Too often we are moving things form GIS geek to GIS geek without following up on which applications are the best used." His department worked with NGA during the Tsunami in Bande Ache, Indonesia and with the Chinese for the Sichuan earthquake hailing these as landmark data sharing agreements. In the case of the Chinese earthquake there was a post operation celebration, but afterward Schwartz said he never found out how imagery was used indicating that cooperation was good but follow-up was poor.

Finally, Schwartz had an interesting observation about geospatial technology. "We shouldn't forget the power of a good map," commented Schwartz. "The use of [the term] COP (common operational picture) drives me crazy because its really nothing more than a good map." His department also supports a variety of non-governmental organizations and Schwartz is particularly adamant that the depiction of international boundaries, maritime boundaries and the like are extremely important to field operations in far parts of the globe.