Something I like to do on a regular basis is blog… I’ve actually been blogging my own GeoTech opinions regularly since about 1998 and I’m still at it! In addition to posting daily [almost] on the AnyGeo blog here on GISuser, I also pen my own features and opinion posts here in our "Experts" corner. The following are just some of my most popular and favorite posts from 2013… enjoy! Some of the not so surprising faves include posts that looked at Google maps, ArcGIS Online, the Crowd and beer maps!
And so, in no particular order, Part 1 of Favorite Geotech blog posts from Glenn:
ESRIUC Notes – Top 10 new features in ArcGIS 10.2
I’m a big fan of Top 10 lists, and I’m also a fan of the annual ESRIUC, so when there happens to be a Top 10 list featured on stage at the event I tend to take note! This year the list focused on the top new features in ArcGIS at R 10.2. ArcGIS product lead, Jim McKinney from Esri introduced some of the new functionality on stage at UC and he was followed up by James Tedrick with his Top 10 new features at 10.2
Mapping The Craft Beer Industry in America
Kudos to The New Yorker for recently looking at the rise of the craft beer industry. The craft beer (micro-brew) industry is soaring in popularity and stats now show that these tasty little breweries are really starting to tap into the lucrative beer market
Its Official – The Web Maps for WordPress Plugin from GeoJobeGIS
From the official WordPress plugins page… Web Maps for WordPress is the best way to quickly and easily search for and insert authoritative maps directly into your blog posts and pages.
I announced previously in a blog post that GeoJobsGIS was working on a WordPress plugin for ArcGIS users (Free and Pro versions) that would enable the integration of ArcGIS Online maps within WordPress blogs.. well, the plugin is now officially here!
This from the plugin page… Quickly and easily search and add interactive maps to your pages and posts with the "Add a Map" button. Designed similar to the familiar "Add Media" button.
Google Rolls Out New Google Maps for iPad / iPhone
On the heels of a recent update for Android (yep, Android users always get the first update to Google maps) an update for iPhone and iPad is now available. The update boasts an enhanced UI and a dedicated new iPad experience.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife Connect With Anglers via Colorado Fishing Atlas and Social Media
Some fine civic engagement from the Parks and Wildlife service in Colorado as some new resources designed to connect with Anglers have been released to the public. Colorado Parks and Wildlife have released the Colorado Fishing Atlas, a live webmapping service designed to provide anglers and outdoor enthusiasts with valuable information to help plan outings, fishing trips, and other recreational opportunities. Using the map service anglers can identify all the known fishing areas of interest in Colorado along with relevant information like fishing related news and information about the area, fishing regulations, license information and other important updates.
Technology for the Home-based Worker – 10 Must Have Gadgets and Technology for the Remote Office
Chances are good that if you happen to work in technology or you’re a consultant, that you may be working remotely or from a home-based office at some time soon – or perhaps you already do. If so, there’s loads of cool technology around these days that will make your life much simpler and make you more productive. The following are 10 gadgets and pieces of technology that I suggest for any remote worker.
USGS Want You to Help Update and Crowd Source the National Map
Details of a crowd-sourcing effort is being touted by the USGS and partners in the National Map. Imagine this, you get to help out with the National Map, you add/edit features, participate as a member of a growing community of volunteers, share in game-like tasks, and even adopt a quadrangle of your very own!
Editing OpenStreetMap (OSM) Just Got Easy, Really Easy! Everything You Need to Know!
There’s no arguing that OpenStreetMap (OSM) has exploded in use and popularity, heck, just look at the basemap layer options in any online web mapping services and you’ll see OSM as an option. Often considered the wikipedia of the mapping world, OSM is a fabulous basemap option for anyone and perhaps coolest of all, OSM has been built and maintained by you – the crowd! I’m sure that many (if not most) of you have often wanted to mess around with OSM and add/edit some features but were a little lazy – I’m guilty! But now we have no excuse thanks to the new OpenStreetMap in-browser map editing tools available from the iD Editor (think HTML5)
RinkWatch, where backyard skating and pond hockey meets environmental science
As a child growing up in Canada, there’s no question that skating outdoors in backyard ice rinks and playing pond hockey were a huge source of fun and ate up most of my evenings and week-ends.. In 2012 a group of scientists from Wilfrid Laurier University in Montreal warned that the number of annual outdoor skating days is shrinking due to climate change… this was the inspiration for launching RinkWatch
Dangermond Outlines GIS As A Platform at Federal User Conference #fedgis
Observations from the Keynote address: Apps are becoming the language, more sensors resulting in Big Data – not just a hardware thing, GIS is creating loads of big data, and most important, real time big data – enter open issues, privacy matters, open computing issues and the like. The whole new world of apps is changing science, changing policy planning and more. The outcome is pervasive GIS knowledge everywhere.
What were some of your favorite GeoTech stories from 2013? Please feel free to ping me @gletham