New York Times Looks at Citizen Web-Mapping

The New York Times has a look at citizen web-mapping (With Tools on Web, Amateurs Reshape Mapmaking) today. The article, which reviews the tools provided by Google, Microsoft and others, predicts some changes in the way geospatial data will be created and shared as more and more 'regular folks" create geo-content on-line.

In the process, they are reshaping the world of mapmaking and collectively creating a new kind of atlas that is likely to be both richer and messier than any other.

They are also turning the Web into a medium where maps will play a more central role in how information is organized and found.

The challenge for state and local GIS coordinators, it appears, will be finding ways to integrate government-created geospatial data into this larger "geo-web" in a way that supports citizen-creation of content and ensures an accurate, up-to-date basic geospatial infrastructure needed for a wide range of governmental services.

And, while we can celebrate the blossoming of data creation that seems to be taking place, we shouldn't forget to take the new data with a pinch of salt, as one NSGIC-friend is quoted in the article.

“Some people are potentially going to do really stupid things with these tools,” said Donald Cooke, chief scientist at Tele Atlas North America, a leading supplier of digital street maps. “But you can also go hiking with your G.P.S. unit, and you can create a more accurate depiction of a trail than on a U.S.G.S. map,” Mr. Cooke said, referring to the United States Geological Survey.

Candidates Wanted: NSGIC Board of Directors

A call has been put out to the NSGIC membership looking for nominations of candidates for the NSGIC Board of Directors.

Three seats on the six-member Board are up for election at the 2007 NSGIC Annual Conference, September 23 - 27 in Madison, Wisconsin. Board members serve two-year terms. The current Board members whose seats come open this year are Jill Saligoe-Simmel (IN), Will Craig (MN), and Mike Mahaffie (DE).

According to the NSGIC By-Laws (PDF), there are two requirements for board candidates:

To be considered eligible for election, a candidate must be a Member in good standing and agree to serve if elected.

Nominations are also sought for candidates for the post of President-Elect. Current President-Elect Cy Smith (OR) will become president at the end of the Annual Conference when NSGIC President Stu Davis (OH) finishes his term in office.

Nominations must be forwarded to Election Committee Chair Joe Holmes (LA) by Friday, July 27, at 5:00 pm, CDT. The ballot box at the NSGIC Annual Conference will be open through the afternoon break on Tuesday, September 25.

Job Posting: Idaho GIO

The State of Idaho has posted a Job Announcement for a Geospatial Information Officer (GIO) in the Office of the CIO:

The State of Idaho’s Office of the CIO is seeking a Geospatial Information Officer (GIO) to lead state government GIS efforts as well as serve as a collaborative leader for statewide GIS initiatives. This position will provide GIS direction and staff support to the state’s Information Technology Resource Management Council (ITRMC).

The job posting is open through July 23.