For the very reason that a Geographic Information System - a GIS - makes meaning from spatial data, is why we think GIS is a killer app maker.
via Handshake2.0
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
GIS - Making Meaning from Spatial Data - Handshake 2.0
Monday, March 22, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Honey, May I Have a GIS? - Handshake 2.0
I asked Mr. Handshake 2.0 that question on the eve of the last day of what I have dubbed the world’s first auction of GIS on eBay.
By the end of my discussion with Mr. Handshake 2.0 - a kind, skilled diplomat - I was open to passing on bidding on the GIS offered at auction by my client InteractiveGIS.
This time.
I’ve got an idea for a killer app
.
This is how I’m thinking:
Business Data Algorithm, Formula and/or Idea GIS = Killer App
I appreciate that most people think “maps” when they see the “Geographic” in “Geographic Information Systems (GIS).” A lot of public sector entities such as local, state and federal governments and their agencies use GIS for various reasons, many of them map-related.
But I’m looking at the “Information” and the “Systems” parts of “Geographic Information Systems” and thinking “information” and “systems” are all business.
When I read the GIS auction item description as “Powerful Web-Based Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Interface,” I’m looking at that “Web-Based” and thinking "Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)."
Business Data Algorithm, Formula and/or Idea GIS SaaS = Killer App
I’ve heard that GIS will be offered at auction again.
Mr. Handshake 2.0, may I have a GIS? I gotta buy it for my killer app.
***
I will be candid that my seed of a killer app idea rose to a sprout from watching this video from my client InteractiveGIS. I haven’t told David Bradshaw, founder and president of InteractiveGIS, what my idea is yet. It’s still growing. But I give you fair warning. Watch this video and you may be asking tonight, “Honey, may I have a GIS?”
InteractiveGIS, a custom, Web-based Geographic Information System (GIS) solutions provider, is a client of Handshake Media, Incorporated, of which Handshake 2.0 is an enterprise.
You're invited to read more about InteractiveGIS on Handshake 2.0.
via handshake20.com
Friday, March 12, 2010
Last day to BID!
In Gotta Have GIS, I described learning early of GIS as a powerful tool, but learning more recently of GIS as a power tool for pairing people, businesses and municipalities with data and geography. I concluded the piece with, "I gotta have GIS."
My, my, look at what we have here. Web-based GIS for sale at auction on eBay from geographic information systems specialists InteractiveGIS (TM).
I can have GIS! Or the top bidder can have GIS!
Details from the listing from InteractiveGIS on eBay:
Category: Business & Industrial > Retail & Services > Other
Title: GIS - Powerful Web-Based Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Interface
Subtitle: Collect, store, manipulate, and retrieve data
Item Description:
- iGIS(TM) Basic Interface - Customized, Web-based Geographic Information System (GIS)
- User-friendly technology allows the customer to collect, store, manipulate, and retrieve data.
- High-end map plotting to various formats (PDF, JPG, TIFF, PNG).
- Web-hosting services for the GIS, backup storage for critical GIS data.
Finally a chance to pay what you are willing to pay for a GIS - and to get more than you expected.
- Customized, web-based GIS system from InteractiveGIS, Inc. lets you use your data to address current challenges, provide high-impact services, and plan meaningfully for the future.
- User-friendly technology allows the customer to collect, store, manipulate, and retrieve data.
- High-end map plotting to various formats (PDF, JPG, TIFF, PNG).
- Web-hosting services for the GIS, backup storage for critical GIS data.
- User-friendly customer support.
- Ideal for towns, cities, counties, states, municipalities, state and federal government agencies, management districts, corporations, utility companies, oil and gas companies, natural resources companies, utility companies, 501(c)(3) organizations.
The final bid price for the iGIS(TM) Basic Interface includes your web-based GIS system set-up, full-service customer support, and one year of annual maintenance and hosting, commencing with the launch date of your GIS. Annual maintenance is $4500 thereafter and would commence with the beginning of year two and continue annually.
About InteractiveGIS
InteractiveGIS empowers community leaders to deliver valuable, high-impact services and solutions based on their geographic data. InteractiveGIS provides custom, Web-based Geographic Information System (GIS) solutions for federal, state, and local governments, utilities companies, and data-reliant organizations with easily affordable solutions that are instantly accessible anywhere any time by constituents, employees, clients and the public via the Internet.Minimum Bid: $4,500
For more graphics and information, here's a .pdf from InteractiveGIS.***
InteractiveGIS has been featured twice in the Tech Showcase on Handshake 2.0. You're invited to read more about InteractiveGIS on Handshake 2.0 and you're invited to follow InteractiveGIS on Twitter @InteractiveGIS.
InteractiveGIS is a client of digital media agency Handshake Media, Incorporated, of which Handshake 2.0 is an enterprise.
via handshake20.com
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
GIS at Auction on eBay from InteractiveGIS - Handshake 2.0
In Gotta Have GIS, I described learning early of GIS as a powerful tool, but learning more recently of GIS as a power tool for pairing people, businesses and municipalities with data and geography. I concluded the piece with, "I gotta have GIS."
My, my, look at what we have here. Web-based GIS for sale at auction on eBay from geographic information systems specialists InteractiveGIS (TM).
I can have GIS! Or the top bidder can have GIS!
Details from the listing from InteractiveGIS on eBay:
Category: Business & Industrial > Retail & Services > Other
Title: GIS - Powerful Web-Based Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Interface
Subtitle: Collect, store, manipulate, and retrieve data
Item Description:
- iGIS(TM) Basic Interface - Customized, Web-based Geographic Information System (GIS)
- User-friendly technology allows the customer to collect, store, manipulate, and retrieve data.
- High-end map plotting to various formats (PDF, JPG, TIFF, PNG).
- Web-hosting services for the GIS, backup storage for critical GIS data.
Finally a chance to pay what you are willing to pay for a GIS - and to get more than you expected.
- Customized, web-based GIS system from InteractiveGIS, Inc. lets you use your data to address current challenges, provide high-impact services, and plan meaningfully for the future.
- User-friendly technology allows the customer to collect, store, manipulate, and retrieve data.
- High-end map plotting to various formats (PDF, JPG, TIFF, PNG).
- Web-hosting services for the GIS, backup storage for critical GIS data.
- User-friendly customer support.
- Ideal for towns, cities, counties, states, municipalities, state and federal government agencies, management districts, corporations, utility companies, oil and gas companies, natural resources companies, utility companies, 501(c)(3) organizations.
The final bid price for the iGIS(TM) Basic Interface includes your web-based GIS system set-up, full-service customer support, and one year of annual maintenance and hosting, commencing with the launch date of your GIS. Annual maintenance is $4500 thereafter and would commence with the beginning of year two and continue annually.
About InteractiveGIS
InteractiveGIS empowers community leaders to deliver valuable, high-impact services and solutions based on their geographic data. InteractiveGIS provides custom, Web-based Geographic Information System (GIS) solutions for federal, state, and local governments, utilities companies, and data-reliant organizations with easily affordable solutions that are instantly accessible anywhere any time by constituents, employees, clients and the public via the Internet.Minimum Bid: $4,500
For more graphics and information, here's a .pdf from InteractiveGIS.***
InteractiveGIS has been featured twice in the Tech Showcase on Handshake 2.0. You're invited to read more about InteractiveGIS on Handshake 2.0 and you're invited to follow InteractiveGIS on Twitter @InteractiveGIS.
InteractiveGIS is a client of digital media agency Handshake Media, Incorporated, of which Handshake 2.0 is an enterprise.
via handshake20.com
Monday, March 8, 2010
Who's in FRONT? David Bradshaw - Handshake 2.0
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Who's in FRONT? David Bradshaw
Posted by Anne Giles Clelland at 5:30 AM on March 8, 2010:
David Bradshaw of InteractiveGIS in Blacksburg, Virginia is In the March 2010 issue of Valley Business FRONT. David talks about the value of GIS systems to businesses in this region.Valley Business FRONT is the monthly magazine for in-depth business news in the Roanoke Valley and the New River Valley of Virginia. You're invited to read moreFRONT and to follow Valley Business FRONT on Twitter, @vbFRONT.
Photo credit: Dan Smith, Valley Business FRONT
InteractiveGIS is a client of Handshake Media, Incorporated, of which Handshake 2.0 is an enterprise.
Posted by Anne Giles Clelland at 05:30:00 AM in InteractiveGIS, Valley Business FRONT
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via handshake20.com
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Who Uses Open Source Software?
The better question is, who doesn’t? Open Source software is used by governments, businesses in almost every industry, nonprofits, and research institutions worldwide. A complete list would be too long to print here so here are just a few examples of companies and organizations you’ve heard of that use Open Source software and participate in the community.
- The State of Massachusetts declared in September, 2005, that all official government documents must be in OpenDocument format—an Open Source replacement for Microsoft Word.
- The Federal Government has been slow to adopt Open Source software, but that hasn’t stopped many states from using it for internal documents and applications, including New York, Rhode Island, Michigan, Illinois, and Minnesota.
- The U.S. Census Bureau uses MySQL, Linux, Apache, and PHP—all Open Source software—to manage the data from its vast surveys of the U.S. population.
- NASA develops its own software and makes its source code available via Open Source. For more information about Open Source software developed by NASA, click here.
- Many scientific research centers use Open Source software, including the Sanger Institute, home of the Human Genome Project.
- Online news organizations that use Open Source technology include BBC News, the Christian Science Monitor, NBC, the New York Times, Reuters, SlashDot, and the Associated Press.
www.interactiveGIS.com
- Open Source software is used by many well-known e-commerce companies including Google, Lycos, eBay, Craigslist, Ticketmaster, Yahoo!, Evite, Friend Finder Network, ClassMates, and CitySearch.
© Copyright 2010 All Rights Reserved
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
How Does Open Source Work?
Open Source software is developed and improved upon over time by large groups of programmers. Here's an overview of the typical path an Open Source program may take.
The big idea. A software developer has an idea for a piece of software that would solve a specific problem. He starts to write the code.
Going public.The developer uploads this code to an Open Source site where other developers can see it, download it, and take a crack at solving the same problem.
The more ideas, the better.Over time, developers interested in the project play with the code, share ideas, and modify the original software. A piece of software can be written initially to solve one problem, then be expanded to solve many others.
Finished product. When an Open Source project is considered finished, it's made available for the public to download, free of charge.
� Copyright 2010 All Rights Reserved
Monday, March 1, 2010
Webinar
Tomorrow we will be holding a brief webinar to introduce you to our interface. Please join us by signing up with the webinar link provided below or you can schedule your own private meeting. I have also included some information about InteractiveGIS below.
Dimdim Webinar Registration Widget
You can visit www.interactivegis.com and click on either of the two sites that we are currently highlighting. Check the box to the left of “I have read and agree to the terms below” and then click on Guest Access.
InteractiveGIS empowers your community leaders to deliver valuable, high-impact services and solutions based on your existing Geographic data. We provide web-based Geographic Information System (GIS) solutions for Federal, State, and Local governments with easily affordable solutions that are instantly accessible anywhere your constituents have an Internet connection. InteractiveGIS will customize your online GIS in ways that bring your geographic data to life, thereby allowing your government to deliver the highest quality GIS-oriented services. Together, your government Agency and InteractiveGIS will provide state-of-the-art capabilities and distribution of your GIS data to a wider audience.
Our customers tell us that with InteractiveGIS they get the most ‘user-friendly technology’ features and the most ‘user-friendly customer support’ as well as the best pricing/value available in the market today. Key features our customers value include:
- Output: print engineer-grade, scaled maps in a wide variety of sizes.
- Customizability: no matter their web-based GIS needs, we’ve designed a solution.
- Significant Savings: saving thousands of their valuable dollars per project.
- Online Hosting: we do the work to keep their data online, backed up and secure.
- Better Tools: the nearly endless query combinations; maps they can draw on digitally; more levels of connection between their items of data; and much more!
- Security: a tiered security system that allows them to give their info-seekers access to only the information they need.
- Data Format: exporting/importing data in a range formats such as SHP, DXF, PDF, CSV allowing them to update their systems with ease.
InteractiveGIS - Introduction
Tomorrow we will be holding a brief webinar to introduce you to our interface. Please join us by signing up with the webinar link provided below or you can schedule your own private meeting. I have also included some information about InteractiveGIS below.
Dimdim Webinar Registration Widget
You can visit www.interactivegis.com and click on either of the two sites that we are currently highlighting. Check the box to the left of “I have read and agree to the terms below” and then click on Guest Access.
InteractiveGIS empowers your community leaders to deliver valuable, high-impact services and solutions based on your existing Geographic data. We provide web-based Geographic Information System (GIS) solutions for Federal, State, and Local governments with easily affordable solutions that are instantly accessible anywhere your constituents have an Internet connection. InteractiveGIS will customize your online GIS in ways that bring your geographic data to life, thereby allowing your government to deliver the highest quality GIS-oriented services. Together, your government Agency and InteractiveGIS will provide state-of-the-art capabilities and distribution of your GIS data to a wider audience.
Our customers tell us that with InteractiveGIS they get the most ‘user-friendly technology’ features and the most ‘user-friendly customer support’ as well as the best pricing/value available in the market today. Key features our customers value include:
Output: print engineer-grade, scaled maps in a wide variety of sizes.
ü Customizability: no matter their web-based GIS needs, we’ve designed a solution.
ü Significant Savings: saving thousands of their valuable dollars per project.
ü Online Hosting: we do the work to keep their data online, backed up and secure.
ü Better Tools: the nearly endless query combinations; maps they can draw on digitally; more levels of connection between their items of data; and much more!
ü Security: a tiered security system that allows them to give their info-seekers access to only the information they need.
ü Data Format: exporting/importing data in a range formats such as SHP, DXF, PDF, CSV allowing them to update their systems with ease.
I can guarantee you a great price! With our hosting plan you have NO overhead costs while having much more access to how you display your data. I’d be happy to collect data from the Commission and make a working demo for Commission officials to “play with” to see if they would like to become a valued client of InteractiveGIS, Inc.
Please take a moment and let me know what you think!
Thank you for your time.
Jeremy Rasor
Director of Sales
InteractiveGIS, INC.
Phone: (540) 577-8592
eFax: (832) 383-8934
Email: jrasor@interactiveGIS.com
Webinar
Tomorrow we will be holding a brief webinar to introduce you to our interface. Please join us by signing up with the webinar link provided below or you can schedule your own private meeting. I have also included some information about InteractiveGIS below.
Dimdim Webinar Registration Widget
You can visit www.interactivegis.com and click on either of the two sites that we are currently highlighting. Check the box to the left of “I have read and agree to the terms below” and then click on Guest Access.
InteractiveGIS empowers your community leaders to deliver valuable, high-impact services and solutions based on your existing Geographic data. We provide web-based Geographic Information System (GIS) solutions for Federal, State, and Local governments with easily affordable solutions that are instantly accessible anywhere your constituents have an Internet connection. InteractiveGIS will customize your online GIS in ways that bring your geographic data to life, thereby allowing your government to deliver the highest quality GIS-oriented services. Together, your government Agency and InteractiveGIS will provide state-of-the-art capabilities and distribution of your GIS data to a wider audience.
Our customers tell us that with InteractiveGIS they get the most ‘user-friendly technology’ features and the most ‘user-friendly customer support’ as well as the best pricing/value available in the market today. Key features our customers value include:
Output: print engineer-grade, scaled maps in a wide variety of sizes.
ü Customizability: no matter their web-based GIS needs, we’ve designed a solution.
ü Significant Savings: saving thousands of their valuable dollars per project.
ü Online Hosting: we do the work to keep their data online, backed up and secure.
ü Better Tools: the nearly endless query combinations; maps they can draw on digitally; more levels of connection between their items of data; and much more!
ü Security: a tiered security system that allows them to give their info-seekers access to only the information they need.
ü Data Format: exporting/importing data in a range formats such as SHP, DXF, PDF, CSV allowing them to update their systems with ease.
I can guarantee you a great price! With our hosting plan you have NO overhead costs while having much more access to how you display your data. I’d be happy to collect data from the Commission and make a working demo for Commission officials to “play with” to see if they would like to become a valued client of InteractiveGIS, Inc.
Please take a moment and let me know what you think!
Thank you for your time.
Jeremy Rasor
Director of Sales
InteractiveGIS, INC.
Phone: (540) 577-8592
eFax: (832) 383-8934
Email: jrasor@interactiveGIS.com
Untitled
Tomorrow we will be holding a brief webinar to introduce you to our interface. Please join us by signing up with the webinar link provided below or you can schedule your own private meeting. I have also included some information about InteractiveGIS below.
Dimdim Webinar Registration Widget
You can visit www.interactivegis.com and click on either of the two sites that we are currently highlighting. Check the box to the left of “I have read and agree to the terms below” and then click on Guest Access.
InteractiveGIS empowers your community leaders to deliver valuable, high-impact services and solutions based on your existing Geographic data. We provide web-based Geographic Information System (GIS) solutions for Federal, State, and Local governments with easily affordable solutions that are instantly accessible anywhere your constituents have an Internet connection. InteractiveGIS will customize your online GIS in ways that bring your geographic data to life, thereby allowing your government to deliver the highest quality GIS-oriented services. Together, your government Agency and InteractiveGIS will provide state-of-the-art capabilities and distribution of your GIS data to a wider audience.
Our customers tell us that with InteractiveGIS they get the most ‘user-friendly technology’ features and the most ‘user-friendly customer support’ as well as the best pricing/value available in the market today. Key features our customers value include:
Output: print engineer-grade, scaled maps in a wide variety of sizes.
Customizability: no matter their web-based GIS needs, we’ve designed a solution.
Significant Savings: saving thousands of their valuable dollars per project.
Online Hosting: we do the work to keep their data online, backed up and secure.
Better Tools: the nearly endless query combinations; maps they can draw on digitally; more levels of connection between their items of data; and much more!
Security: a tiered security system that allows them to give their info-seekers access to only the information they need.
Data Format: exporting/importing data in a range formats such as SHP, DXF, PDF, CSV allowing them to update their systems with ease.
Webinar
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Tomorrow we will be holding a brief webinar to introduce you to our interface. Please join us by signing up with the webinar link provided below or you can schedule your own private meeting. I have also included some information about InteractiveGIS below.
Dimdim Webinar Registration Widget
You can visit www.interactivegis.com and click on either of the two sites that we are currently highlighting. Check the box to the left of “I have read and agree to the terms below” and then click on Guest Access.
InteractiveGIS empowers your community leaders to deliver valuable, high-impact services and solutions based on your existing Geographic data. We provide web-based Geographic Information System (GIS) solutions for Federal, State, and Local governments with easily affordable solutions that are instantly accessible anywhere your constituents have an Internet connection. InteractiveGIS will customize your online GIS in ways that bring your geographic data to life, thereby allowing your government to deliver the highest quality GIS-oriented services. Together, your government Agency and InteractiveGIS will provide state-of-the-art capabilities and distribution of your GIS data to a wider audience.
Our customers tell us that with InteractiveGIS they get the most ‘user-friendly technology’ features and the most ‘user-friendly customer support’ as well as the best pricing/value available in the market today. Key features our customers value include:
Output: print engineer-grade, scaled maps in a wide variety of sizes.
ü Customizability: no matter their web-based GIS needs, we’ve designed a solution.
ü Significant Savings: saving thousands of their valuable dollars per project.
ü Online Hosting: we do the work to keep their data online, backed up and secure.
ü Better Tools: the nearly endless query combinations; maps they can draw on digitally; more levels of connection between their items of data; and much more!
ü Security: a tiered security system that allows them to give their info-seekers access to only the information they need.
ü Data Format: exporting/importing data in a range formats such as SHP, DXF, PDF, CSV allowing them to update their systems with ease.
I can guarantee you a great price! With our hosting plan you have NO overhead costs while having much more access to how you display your data. I’d be happy to collect data from the Commission and make a working demo for Commission officials to “play with” to see if they would like to become a valued client of InteractiveGIS, Inc.
Please take a moment and let me know what you think!
Thank you for your time.
Jeremy Rasor
Director of Sales
InteractiveGIS, INC.
Phone: (540) 577-8592
eFax: (832) 383-8934
Email: jrasor@interactiveGIS.com
Common Misconceptions About Open Source
Common Misconceptions About Open Source
Many people who aren't familiar with Open Source hold certain misconceptions about it, and some may look on it as less legitimate than commercial software. Here are a few common myths and misconceptions about Open Source software - and the truth behind them.
Myth: Open Source software isn't created by professionals.
Fact: Open Source software is written by professional programmers, many of whom work for proprietary software companies. And it's all perfectly legal, even encouraged by the companies.
There's a common misconception that Open Source programmers are pajama-wearing amateurs and students working out of dorm rooms. In fact, many programmers work on Open Source projects as part of their jobs. Many proprietary companies depend on Open Source software for part of their operations - it's very cost-effective - and have their own programmers customize the software to fit company needs. Open Source licensing agreements require these company programmers to make their modifications available to the Open Source community.
In addition, professional programmers from many different companies sometimes come together to create solutions to problems through Open Source. Apache, for example, was created by a community of professional network administrators and programmers who had a need for web server software that was reliable and affordable.
Some Open Source programmers are motivated by monetary gain. As a programmer, if you write an Open Source program, the code is available to all. But if a big company or organization wants you to modify your program for their use, you can charge them to do it. Many programmers write Open Source code and then hire themselves out to organizations for customization.
Myth: Open Source is a brand-new, untested method of software development.
Fact: Open Source has been around since the beginning of computers themselves.
It's not uncommon for Open Source to be perceived as a new, unproven Web 2.0 trend. Actually, Open Source was the default programming method as far back as the 1960's. Programmers, students and professors at places like Stanford, MIT and Berkeley all shared their coding ideas freely. Without it, computing as we know it might not exist today.
Myth: Open Source software doesn't adhere to the same standards as commercial software.
Fact: Open Source software is often held to the same stringent industry standards that commercial software companies are required to uphold.
Our core spatial engine, MapServer, is based on Open Source technology originally developed by NASA - and it's a perfect example of Open Source software following industry standards. MapServer is designed to support Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) standards. The OGC is an international consensus organization that designs and recommends worldwide standards for GIS data processing, data exchange, and geospatial services. Participation is voluntary, so not every commercial GIS program adheres to the standards - but ours does.
Myth: Open Source software is substandard compared to proprietary software.
Fact: Because there are so many people making improvements to the code, Open Source software packages are often more secure and robust than proprietary software. Hundreds of professional programmers critique the code, test it for flaws, and take steps to improve it. At proprietary companies, the software isn't seen and tested by so many different programmers.
There's a misconception out there that Open Source is a "fake" or "toy" version of a real, proprietary software package - and that it doesn't contain all the features and functionality that commercial software has. However, it's not uncommon for Open Source software to have more options and better functionality than commercial software simply because dozens or even hundreds of programmers modify popular Open Source programs for their own companies use, and then make those modifications available to everyone.
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