Apple has recently updated its mobile operating system, iOS 6. One of the major changes includes an overhaul of its map app, which has not gone well. You can check out a few examples here: http://theamazingios6maps.tumblr.com/. The current map app is based on data from TomTom, OpenStreetMap, and others. The former app was based on Google Maps.
Despite the current issues, the maps will be an improvement, lightweight, have pleasing cartography, and incorporating data from businesses, etc. Some important features are missing but will be included in the near future. You can also read Apple's response here.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Opticks Update in October
Earlier, I wrote a little about Opticks, an open source image analysis program. It also features python extensions for added capabilities and programmability. The Opticks team is headed towards another release--in October. The timeline for releases is always well laid out, as well as what has been changed, updated, or improved. Unlike many other open source programs, new Opticks versions are released several time per year. Opticks also has a great file importer especially since there are numerous file types out there. So, be sure to check out Opticks!
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| Screenshot of Opticks - Showing the Data Importer (Click image for a larger version) |
Monday, August 27, 2012
The Problems with Election Maps
With the presidential election on a few months away, maps of the potential outcomes have already started appearing. Electoral college aside, the flaw with these maps is obvious--no state is all for one candidate or the other. Just looking at one map, makes me think popular vote!
CNN's map and calculator will even let you see what happens if all states went Democratic or Republican: What the use in an all red or blue map? Even worse, is Amazon's 'heat map' of whether people are purchasing 'red' or 'blue' blooks, indicated by a percent greater than 50%. Essentially the entire U.S. is symbolized in red. No map is preferable to a bad map.
On the other hand, The New York Times, does a better job: using a cartogram to symbolize the number of electoral votes per state. Then population and its associated number of votes is the focus rather than the number and size of states, which can be deceiving. In fact, as some posts suggest, the potential outcome, and margin of victory, may be better conveyed in a graph looking back historically. Sadly, many consumers probably don't look at the NY Times map or find it difficult to understand. Wikipedia also tackles the issue of map interpretation and the electoral college.
Lastly, the Huffington Post goes a bit further by including a handy historical table with its basic map--that way people can see which states are traditionally red, blue, or teetering on the edge. Finally, it is important to mention that other maps, such as turnout rates, would also be helpful but are rarely seen or talked about in the news and media.
CNN's map and calculator will even let you see what happens if all states went Democratic or Republican: What the use in an all red or blue map? Even worse, is Amazon's 'heat map' of whether people are purchasing 'red' or 'blue' blooks, indicated by a percent greater than 50%. Essentially the entire U.S. is symbolized in red. No map is preferable to a bad map.
On the other hand, The New York Times, does a better job: using a cartogram to symbolize the number of electoral votes per state. Then population and its associated number of votes is the focus rather than the number and size of states, which can be deceiving. In fact, as some posts suggest, the potential outcome, and margin of victory, may be better conveyed in a graph looking back historically. Sadly, many consumers probably don't look at the NY Times map or find it difficult to understand. Wikipedia also tackles the issue of map interpretation and the electoral college.
Lastly, the Huffington Post goes a bit further by including a handy historical table with its basic map--that way people can see which states are traditionally red, blue, or teetering on the edge. Finally, it is important to mention that other maps, such as turnout rates, would also be helpful but are rarely seen or talked about in the news and media.
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| Source: New York Times, Click to bring up a larger version |
Thursday, August 23, 2012
OpenStreetMap.org
OpenStreetMap.org (OSM) provides users the ability to edit and download street maps for free through open source licensing. Check out more background information about OSM at Wikipedia.
Open source GIS software like QGIS also have add-ons to aid in the download process. Alternatively, you can download the data directly from its website or connect to a WMS server. You can also use OSM maps as base layers in Open Layers for web publishing.
Companies, including Apple, have recognized OSM's value--Apple uses OSM in its iPhoto app. Most of the map's symbology is relatively straightfoward, but you can also check out its wiki to find an extensive list. Below the Florida keys are shown. Click the photo for a more detailed image. Be sure to check out this terrific resource!
Open source GIS software like QGIS also have add-ons to aid in the download process. Alternatively, you can download the data directly from its website or connect to a WMS server. You can also use OSM maps as base layers in Open Layers for web publishing.
Companies, including Apple, have recognized OSM's value--Apple uses OSM in its iPhoto app. Most of the map's symbology is relatively straightfoward, but you can also check out its wiki to find an extensive list. Below the Florida keys are shown. Click the photo for a more detailed image. Be sure to check out this terrific resource!
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| The Florida Keys |
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Remote Sensing and GIS That Are Out of This World!
Image: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona "Serpent Dust Devil of Mars"
It is easy to forget a lot of remote and direct sensing, GIS and GPS work, and measurements are not even done on Earth. Of course, I am referring to NASA's Curiosity Rover that touched down this week and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) which has been in orbit for several years. These are following in the footsteps of other great rovers and spacecraft that have successfully made the voyage. However, I feel like the MRO is a bit neglected...
The MRO carries a host of sensors and instruments to map and image Mars including, A high-resolution camera in visible wavelengths (HiRISE), a wide area view camera, a weather imager in five visible and two ultraviolet bands (MARCI), an infrared spectrometer looking for signs of water, mineral deposits, etc., a radiometer, and a radar (SHARAD).
The scientific value of these instruments is beyond measure. NASA is probably one of the best agencies at making data and images available publically...Here are some neat open source resources related to this endeavour!
- Mars Reconnaisance Orbiter: http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/mro/index.cfm?ShowLandingPage=No
- Storm Chasing on Mars Video: http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/media/clips/mrotwister20120319-1280.mov
- Mars Weather Report: http://www.msss.com/msss_images/latest_weather.html
- Recent HiRISE images: http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/katalogos.php
- Older Images: http://marsoweb.nas.nasa.gov/HiRISE/hirise_images/
- Curiousity Rover: http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/
- Great article by the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19186237
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Meograph - Telling Stories with Maps
Maps are frequently used as storytelling devices. However, relatively few tools exist to facilitate the transition from a map to a story. Meograph, which is in its beta form, provides a platform to merge the 'where' of a story with media such as videos and photographs.
Time is also an important fourth dimension here. Meograph makes it easy for authors to progress through their stories from one date and time to the next. Watch the Meograph Demo of the Treyvon Martin Case for an example of how compelling such melding of media and geography can be. Narration can also be added by anyone.
Meograph is very polished and easy to use. I created a rough draft short story of the Derecho Storm here: http://www.meograph.com/jongross. Spatially, there are a couple of stories that could be told. I need to create better locations for storytelling. Most importantly, although a draft, what was created was done quickly and looks good. I will work on my Meograph and we will revisit it later.
Bottom line: Creating a smooth coherent spatial story with media in Meograph is far easier than with any desktop GIS program. Hopefully, all that time saved from creating animations will help you tell a better story. With a quick click, your meograph can be shared through social media or embedded.
Time is also an important fourth dimension here. Meograph makes it easy for authors to progress through their stories from one date and time to the next. Watch the Meograph Demo of the Treyvon Martin Case for an example of how compelling such melding of media and geography can be. Narration can also be added by anyone.
Meograph is very polished and easy to use. I created a rough draft short story of the Derecho Storm here: http://www.meograph.com/jongross. Spatially, there are a couple of stories that could be told. I need to create better locations for storytelling. Most importantly, although a draft, what was created was done quickly and looks good. I will work on my Meograph and we will revisit it later.
Bottom line: Creating a smooth coherent spatial story with media in Meograph is far easier than with any desktop GIS program. Hopefully, all that time saved from creating animations will help you tell a better story. With a quick click, your meograph can be shared through social media or embedded.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Non-GIS Open Source, Worthy Companions
Do not look at the title twice! Yes, this post is about non-GIS open source software. However, these open-source programs make great companions to any analysis.
For example, you may find the need for a traditional statistical software package. R Statistical Software can aid in importing, analyzing, and cleaning your data. You can perform traditional statistical analyses. There's even a spatial package, although you will better off sticking with open source GIS programs like GRASS or QGIS. A good overview of its spatial package can be found here.
Want to examine social networks? Then, Gephi's great! I just analyzed my Facebook network in only a few minutes after following a tutorial. In addition, Gephi has features and plugins to help you map geographic data.
At some point you may also need Python. Editing and organizing code, then give Notepad ++ a try.
A some point you will have to compress files, then 7-zip is a sure thing. You may want to playback some videos or animations and VLC Player works great.
GIMP is a image maniupulation program similar to photoshop. You can see an example of combining GIS with GIMP on a great GIS blog.
You will probably want to type up your results or make a few "PowerPoint" slides...so there's Open Office and the Libre Office implementation. If you need a standalone pdf creator, then there's PDF creator.
Lastly, if you ever want to venture away from Windows or other operating systems, there's Ubuntu--an easy installation of Linux. Be sure the open-source or for-fee programs you want to run have a Linux version before making the switch. Naturally, many open source programs have a Linux version but some do not.
For example, you may find the need for a traditional statistical software package. R Statistical Software can aid in importing, analyzing, and cleaning your data. You can perform traditional statistical analyses. There's even a spatial package, although you will better off sticking with open source GIS programs like GRASS or QGIS. A good overview of its spatial package can be found here.
Want to examine social networks? Then, Gephi's great! I just analyzed my Facebook network in only a few minutes after following a tutorial. In addition, Gephi has features and plugins to help you map geographic data.
At some point you may also need Python. Editing and organizing code, then give Notepad ++ a try.
A some point you will have to compress files, then 7-zip is a sure thing. You may want to playback some videos or animations and VLC Player works great.
GIMP is a image maniupulation program similar to photoshop. You can see an example of combining GIS with GIMP on a great GIS blog.
You will probably want to type up your results or make a few "PowerPoint" slides...so there's Open Office and the Libre Office implementation. If you need a standalone pdf creator, then there's PDF creator.
Lastly, if you ever want to venture away from Windows or other operating systems, there's Ubuntu--an easy installation of Linux. Be sure the open-source or for-fee programs you want to run have a Linux version before making the switch. Naturally, many open source programs have a Linux version but some do not.
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