GIS Tech News (#18)

Someone to Watch Over Us

From a recent experiment conducted at a clothing store in a mall, Michel Berthiaume, an associate researcher at the GeoBusiness Group, Université de Sherbrooke (Quebec, Canada), discovered something surprising about teenagers. For better or worse, about 80% of them are willing to surrender some of their privacy and allow someone to track their movements. On the good side, this made it easier for him to do his job, because he needed to observe and record their paths, by way of an RFID-enabled (radio frequency identification) tag attached to them. The data collected was subsequently analyzed, using temperature maps, pathway analysis, market segmentation, retail zones and geostatistics. As far-fetched as it may seem, what he and his colleagues learned from scrutinizing the footsteps of these young shoppers may one day lead to improved mobile workforce management in corporations. He and his colleagues are developing something called microgeomatics, a kind of indoor GIS, a hybrid system that combines CAD, GIS, RFID, GPS and WiFi technologies.

Are We Ready?
The idea is to use a floor plan, easily available as CAD data, as a base map for recording and analyzing people and assets indoors. The territory is beyond the reach of aerial photography and survey data, so it’s closed off to typical geospatial tools. It’s also an area where RFID offers more accuracy than GPS (global positioning system). The difference in scales notwithstanding, the same principles for data collection and spatial analysis that are used in GIS can also be applied to this new brand of mini-GIS -- or, as the GeoBusiness Group prefers to call it, microgeomatics. Read More

Spatial Technologies: 3D Modeling and Scientific Visualization

by James L. Sipes

Some things are difficult to understand, aren't they? I have a basic idea of what a black hole is, but I don't understand exactly how it works. Do you understand the details of quantum mechanics and the theories of parallel universes? And just what is a quark, anyway? Most of us have a tough time understanding complex scientific theories and mathematical equations, and no amount of verbal explanation seems to help. To help address such issues, scientists are using 3D graphic techniques to create visual representations of the most abstract data.

What is Scientific Visualization?
Scientific visualization is the graphic representation of data designed to foster understanding and insight into that data. This data can be empirical data collected from observers or sensors as well as data derived from computational models. After a computer simulation has been modeled, it then must be interpreted by researchers to comprehend the meaning of the data. We use graphics because our brain has the ability to process a massive amount of information, and visual thinking is the most powerful process. Read More >>

UPCOMING GIS EVENTS
Cadalyst'scomplete list of upcoming events is always available on our Web site. Cadalyst's sister publication, Geospatial Solutions, also offers a full calendar of GIS-related events.

Oahu ArcGIS User Group Meeting
June 21, 2006
Honolulu, Hawaii
ArcGIS User Groups provide a forum for ESRI users to share experiences, exchange best practices and learn about new technology. Read more

Hawaii Island ArcGIS User Group
June 23, 2006
Hilo, Hawaii
ArcGIS User Groups provide a forum for ESRI users to share experiences, exchange best practices and learn about new technology. Read more

Kauai ArcGIS User Group Meeting
June 26, 2006
Lihue, Hawaii
ArcGIS User Groups provide a forum for ESRI users to share experiences, exchange best practices and learn about new technology. Read more

AUGI CAD Camp -- Hawaii
June 29, 2006
Honolulu, Hawaii
Spec Systems hosts this AUGI (Autodesk User Group International) learning and networking event. Choose from 15 intense Autodesk product classes designed to provide productivity techniques you can apply immediately. Read more

Webinars: Large-Format Scanning and Document Management
Tuesdays and Thursdays in June
IDEAL is offering Web presentations to discuss topics, introduce technology and provide suggestions to help with large-format scanning and document management problems. Read more 

15th Annual GIS for Oil & Gas Conference
September 18-20, 2006
Houston, Texas
Conference is devoted exclusively to GIS applications and technologies for both the upstream and downstream aspects of the oil and gas industry. Read more

Trimble Dimensions 2006
November 6-8, 2006
Las Vegas, Nevada
Trimble’s International User Conference on Building Your Connected Site emphasizes how process integration and intelligent positioning technologies enable surveying, engineering and construction professionals to reduce rework, utilize assets more efficiently, accelerate design updates as well as improve the bidding, planning and billing cycles. Read more

Cadalyst Discussion Forums Have a New Look — and a new URL: Cadalyst's CAD Manager, CAD Questions and Hot Tip Harry Discussion Forums have moved to a new location. Visit today to update your bookmarks, check out the new look and find out what's on the minds of other CAD professionals.

TOP-TIER PRODUCTS: CADALYST LABS SALUTES BEST HARDWARE, SOFTWARE: A look at some of the top products so far this year.

FIRST LOOK REVIEW: POLYWELL POLYSTATION 939-V7350: Polywell’s dual-core workstation incorporates a lot of memory and a powerful graphics card.

FIRST LOOK REVIEW: NEC MULTISYNC LCD2190UXI: The NEC MultiSync LCD 2190Uxi 21” LCD display adjusts to environmental lighting conditions by checking ambient brightness.

Click here for links to all the latest articles in Cadalyst magazine and on Cadalyst.com.