Vehicle Tracking Software


Hi Kyle,

I'm wondering if you could give me some insite on some software/hardware that would be available for tracking our snow and ice trucks during the winter months. We currently use Intergraph's Geomedia and Sybase as our database. I would just like to incorporate the tracking of these vehicles for our Highway department. Any input would be helpful.

Thanks!

Gary Van Hove - GIS Coordinator



Author's Reply:

Hello Gary,

This is a tough one because there is a myriad of possible hardware/software/communications issues involved. Cellular vs satellite vs a wireless TCP/IP network, etc. This is an area where a programmer and a simple GPS XY locator DLL could solve the problem best by writing scripts that would take the GPS feed and write it to a continually updated POINT feature datafile. With WAAS and GPS, beacon systems are less critical for some applications.

I did a search in GIS Cafe on "vehicle tracking" and came up with over 900 matches, so that may be worth a try to learn the lingo.

-Kyle

Editor's Note: Please look for a review on "Fleet Tracking Software" by David B. Davis in the September 2001 issue of GISVision.


GPS Software Review

Thank you for your informative and nicely done article. I enjoyed reading it.

I wanted to let you know about a new service that Trimble is offering called PathFinder Express. It basically provides web-based differential correction, converts your data and e-mails it to you. Here are a couple of links:

Thanks...Ron

Ron Brush
New Century Software, Inc.
ronb@newcenturysoftware.com



Author's Reply:

Thank you Ron, we like readers who learn from and enjoy the articles. I found out about the Trimble service right as the article was going to press; I think it was announced at the ESRI conference. This sounds like a great service for users who don't want to process their own data and want to leave it to the professionals. I would also be sure and have a known point as a check in the data I submitted to be processed.

-Kyle




Location Based Services Jobs

Hi Kyle,

I'm an engineer doing research on my next career move, and read with interest your article on GIS Software. I would appreciate your expertise in answering this question:

I'm fascinated by GIS/GPS applications for areas like criminology/law enforcement, traffic systems, etc. I have an excellent background in software development doing enterprise web applications, and a EE degree, but I don't know how to best "break in" to this or similar fields. I sense that we're on the verge of an explosion in location-based applications, and I want to be involved in developing innovative services and products. I live outside DC in Reston Va so I have access to Federal jobs -- USGS is down the street from me, for example. I was intrigued by what you've done as described in your byline. What opportunities exist at Interior for people that understand software and systems and have a passion for this technology?

Thanks,
David Swearingen
david25@yahoo.com



Author's Reply:

Hi, David,

If you are well rounded in GIS, GPS and Remote Sensing, you will find many opportunities these days and the government is no exception. At any given moment there are over 25 GIS related jobs on the Federal Government. http://www.usajobs.opm.gov.

Good luck- Kyle

Editor's Note: Also check on GISCafe - there is a daily listing of GIS-related jobs.




Comments on "GIS In India"
  1. For all practical purpose, Gurgaon (Haryana) should be combined with Delhi. Because Gurgaon does not have any self existence, it is more an extension of Delhi.
  2. There is all of sudden interest in GIS and it has become fashionable to use it. It has caused a great demand for digital maps (which are almost non-existent in India). Most of the so-called GIS companies in India are involved in creating these digital maps. (Many of these do not have any basic knowledge in science of making maps - but can make a quick buck - even many customers don't know how to check them). Maps are the critical base component for GIS, but maps are not GIS. Therefore, one should conclude that, there is large number of digital map making companies in India, but few real GIS companies.


Sushmit Kamal Mukherjee, Consultant-GPD


More about GeoViz

I was pleased to see the topic of geovisualization covered in the paper by Jeff Thurston. I was, however, a bit surprised that there was no reference to the International Cartographic Association's Commission on Visualization and Virtual Environments (www.geovista.psu.edu/icavis), which has been working on the topics discussed for the past 6 years. Some of your readers might be interested in the special issues of scientific journals produced by the Commission:

Computers & GeoSciences, 23(4) May, 1997
Cartography and Geographic Information Science, 26(2), 1999
International Journal of Geographical Information Science, 13(4), 1999
Cartography and Geographic Information Science, 28(1), 2001

Also, Penn State's GeoVISTA Center is mentioned in the paper, but (in the article's text) called a "project" rather than a Center. The Center has many individual projects underway that your readers might be interested in.

regards,

Alan M. MacEachren, Director -- GeoVISTA Center
302 Walker, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802
Professor of Geography
Chair --Inter. Cartographic Assoc. Commission on Visualization & VE
phone 814-865-7491;
fax 814-863-7943
www.GeoVISTA.psu.edu
www.geovista.psu.edu/MacEachren/alanhome.html
www.geovista.psu.edu/icavis



Author's Reply:

Alan:

Thank you for your comments and I agree the International Cartographic Association has been pursuing these areas. Something I alluded to but you more directly identified. It became clear very quickly as I wrote the article that a number of individuals world wide are involved in the areas of visualization and virtual environments - it is often difficult to include all sources and details. I selected GeoVISTA, in the article, because I felt there is quality, leading edge and intriguing work going on there. Again, my thanks for you comment and the correction about the GeoVISTA 'Center' is noted.

Jeff Thurston
GPS / GIS / Visualization
Dept of Renewable Resources
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Canada
T6G 2H1
tel.780.492.2868
rrgpsgis.forsci.ualberta.ca
www.rr.ualberta.ca/courses/foreng201/foren201.htm
www.rr.ualberta.ca/staff/jthursto/index.html
www.maci.ca/researchers/Thurston.htm


Geo-Visualization

Enlightening Feedback on GeoVisualization
Great article!!!!! Very useful to me since I am also involved in this subject.

Jeffery S. Nighbert


TOPO Tools

This is really good stuff involving problems I have encountered often when working with DEMs.

Dr. Burl I. Naugle
MARC- Mid America Remote sensing Center
Murray State University


Ortho Accuracy Goes a Long Way
 Kyle,

Congratulations--this is an excellent article.

Mladen has already forwarded it along to our internal sales and markeing staff as an excellent reference article which describes the creation of ortho-accurate images using softcopy photogrammetry.

By the way, I am involved in organizing workshops and technical tracks for the upcoming GIS in the Rockies in September and was wondering if you would be interested in presenting this material?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,

Jim Jensen
ERDAS, Inc.
7720 E. Belleview Ave., Suite 220
Englewood, CO 80111
Tel: 303-221-5720
FAX: 303-221-5722



Good article in GISVision...

Bill Baer
Manager, Government Sales
Space Imaging


Mind Your Mapping
 To Angela Whitener, author of Oil and Gas

I noticed that the book (Minding your Business With MapInfo) was published in 1998. Do you know of plans to update the book to include newer functionality in MapInfo products?

Thank You -

Richard Clement
richard_clement@dnr.state.ak.us



Author's Reply:



There are currently no plans to update the book. There have not been enough copies sold to create an attractive business case for the publisher to consider a new edition...to date, there have been less than 1,000 copies sold.

The improvements in functionality in MapInfo (only one version...soon to be 2) since the publishing of the book would largely not effect the solutions mentioned in the case studies.

However, a magazine such as GISVision may provide a place to create additional case studies that could include some of the newer features.

Where does your interest come from? Are you looking for classroom material?

Thanks for your interest,

Angela Whitener
5840 S. Memorial, Suite 305
Tulsa, OK 74145
Phone: (918) 369-5845
E-mail: awhitener@intellevue.com
Web Page: www.intellevue.com


Internet Mapping GIS
 Dear Jane,

I just read the latest issue of GISVision and would like to thank you for the great coverage you provided for the latest versions of our GeoMedia WebMap and WebEnterprise products. Many of our customers and employees regularly read GISVision and have GISCafe delivered to their desktops. I know you have contributed other informative GeoMedia-focused articles in the past. These articles are shared with and enjoyed by our employees and customers.

If I can be of any assistance to you with future articles please let me know.

Thanks again!
Shelley Miller
Shelley T. Miller
Media Relations Manager
Intergraph Mapping & GIS Solutions



Sizing Up Peter's Projection Map
 To Whom It May Concern,

In your news story about NBC's West Wing TV show using a Peter's Projection map (http://www.giscafe.com/NEWS/GISNews/20010226_nbc.html ) you inadvertently stepped in the same stuff most people do with this map. I quote the news release here: "The Peters is in a class of map projections, equal-area maps, that show all countries at true size and true proportion."

Where it is true that there is true proportion in the Peter's Projection, there in fact is not true size. NO MAP HAS TRUE SIZE! and in dealing with size the Peter's Projection is just as much of a fallacy as the mercator. When will the map community come around and try working with B. F. Fullers' Dymaxion map? (http://www.wnet.org/bucky/dymap.html) His map has treated all areas of the world with equal distortion AND has the added benefit of assembling the parts in a myriad of ways, so very different interpretations can indeed be possible -- WITH THE SAME MAP! I do understand that the Peters Projection had a purpose, but as with a lot of corrective measures it often lies too much in the other direction.

Sincerely,
John Maier



Editor's Reply:

Hello, John--

Thank you for writing to us about the press release we posted regarding West Wing TV Show.

This was posted as it came in--we do not generally edit press releases except the titles, so they should be considered strictly generated by some vendor's public relations department. We publish only those pertinent to the GIS industry, and this one was of interest to me because it demonstrates the use of GIS/mapping in a mainstream way. You're absolutely right --obviously, no map can be of "true size," or we'd have maps as big as every country!

Perhaps the topic of the controversial Peter's Projection Map and other solutions might be a good one for an indepth feature article, which is what we specialize in. We will keep it in mind for future editorial.

Thanks for the heads up.

Susan Smith
Editor


Quest for Conversion Extension
 From Elia Ines:

I need a extension that converts Arcview to JPEG, but the image is georeferenced...
Could you help me?

thanks,
Elia Ines
Lic. Elia Inés Polanco Mizquez
CECARENA ITESM
epolanco@campus.gym.itesm.mx



Author's Reply:

To: Elia Ines:

It is not possible to compress an image using JPEG and maintain it as a georeferenced image. If you want to compress an image while keeping the georeferencing information try the no cost compression programs from LizardTech or ER Mapper. These free programs can compress images that can then be viewed in ArcView with the georeferencing information. Just remember to turn on the ECW and MrSID extensions in ArcView. See the report in the December issue of GISVision about compression software to get more information about these programs.

No es posible compresar un imagen usando JPEG y todavia mantenerlo georeferenciada. Si quieres compresar un imagen tratar usando uno de los programas que se puede conseguir de LizardTech o ER Mapper. Con estos programas gratis se puede compresar un imagen y mantenerlo georeferenciada. Para mas informacion sobre estos programas ver el reporte en GISVision de deciembre sobre programas para compresar imagenes. Si tienes mas preguntas se puede escribirme en espanol.

Buena suerte,
David Davis



Ballooning Interest in Antarctica
 Susan,

I would like to thank you for your interesting editorial in "GIS Vision" on Antarctica in which you mention our scientific balloon experiment. As you probably know I have been on-site at Williams Field near McMurdo for more than 10 weeks, weathering sub-zero temperatures and blizzards (refered to as "Herbies" down here). Yet on clear days I am still struck with awe and amazment at the sight of steam rising from the volcanic crater of Mt. Erebus or the sun at 1:30am glinting off the glaciers of the trans-antarctic mountain range. This is truely a special place and is often refered to as the "Last Frontier" or the closest thing to living on another planet.

The ATIC cosmic ray experiment discussed in your editorial was finally launched on 12/28/00 and is now nearing the end of its 15 day flight around the Antarctic continent. Interested readers should access the ATIC web site (http://plato2.bro.lsu.edu/aticweb/) and download the video and/or pictures of our launch. The instrument has been working very well throughout the flight and we are anticipating terminating the mission within the next two or three days. When the balloon is terminated the experiment will parachute down from 120,000 feet altitude to what we hope will be a safe landing on the Antarctic plateau in Victoria Land. The next steps will be to then recover the instrument, packup and ship everything back to LSU to start our scientific data analysis and to prepare for the next ATIC flight in 2002.

Once again I would like to thank you for your interest in our project and in Antarctic scientific research in general.

With Best Regards,
T. Gregory Guzik
ATIC Team Leader


Manifold Destiny
 Dear Ms. Schutzberg,

I read your review in GIS Cafe about Manifold. I agree with your review of R4.5 of Manifold. The program is absolutely worth it, and has extra value if the old-school, expensive systems are also used. The Manifold crew definitely prove that the high prices of ESRI and MapInfo are unnecessary in order to produce smart software.

-Malcolm E.


Growing Affection for GISCafe.com

I have picked up several interesting articles and GIS information from my direct senior Mr D Milne who is subscribed to the GIS Cafe. It would be appreciated if my name could be added to your subscription list. My E-Mail address is: evandyk@cmc.gov.za.

Many thanks
Eben van Dyk


Viewing ArcView projects in ArcExplorer
Dear Sirs,
Is there any viewer for viewing existing ArcView GIS projects?

Regards
Ziyafat Kerimov


Author's Reply:

From: carpincho@att.net
To: zkerimov@caspian.in-baku.com
CC: carpincho@att.net


Ziyafat Kerimov,

In regards to your question submitted to GISCafe as to whether a viewer is available that can use existing ArcView projects, the answer is yes. The ArcExplorer viewer can be downloaded from the ESRI website. This program is free and has many wonderful capabilities.

To view an existing ArcView project in ArcExplorer you must first run the ArcView .apr file through a translator that converts it to a .aep file.

To get this translator go to www.esri.com/arcscripts. At that site enter the word arcexplorer where it says keyword. This will bring you to an arcscript called view2aep. Download the view2aep.apr and the view2aep.avx files and install them in your ArcView program.

This will enable you to convert the .apr files to .aep files allowing them to be used in ArcExplorer. Because the ArcView program is so much more complex than the ArcExplorer program your project will not have all of the original features but it will be usable.

I hope that this information is what you needed.

Sincerely,
David B. Davis



Thirsty for news? Stop by GISCafe...
 Friends and/or Colleagues:

Those of you who are thirsty for the latest news on GIS may want to consider signing up for the GIS Cafe. It provides a weekly (or even daily if you really like getting e-mail) abstract of the latest news on GIS products, conferences, jobs, free downloads, and more than anyone would want to know about GIS.

Professor Dick Klosterman
University of Akron, Ohio


Raster Imagery in the GeoMedia Environment
 Jane,

I really like the image loader utility you created. Could the code be modified so it can accept tif files with associated tfw files for images that don't have the geotif parameters built in?

Julio R. Barrios
GIS Specialist
Computer Sciences Corp. - Defense Group
5 East Popson, Bldg. 2650A
Edwards AFB, CA 93524-1130
Email: Julio.Barrios@edwards.af.mil


Author's Reply:

Julio,

Thanks,
Yes it can definitely be modified...you retrieve the display matrix from the info in the .tfw file just like for the MrSid code: rasterserv.GetPositionInfo(positionMode, lplpDisplayMatrix, pvPosition, lplpCoordSystem)the last 3 arguments are set, you provide the positionMode in this case positionMode is [ gmipWorldFile ] or 5 which means Determine position using world file information

The same code that works for mrsid should work for a tiff with corresponding tfw file and a csf file with the corresponding projection information. You need the csf file because the info in the tfw files doesn't include what projection the numbers correspond to....

Jane Goodman, GeoQuery, Inc. geoquery@home.com


Jane,

I did what you suggested and it works great. Thanks

Julio


Mosaiking Software Needed
 Dear Ibs-Systemer,

.... is there any other software that does mosaiking besides PhotoWorks 2.0 ?

Sincerely,
Steffen Härtel


Author's Reply:

Sure,

Try PCI, ERDAS, ERMAPPER, ENVI, even Autodesk CADOverlay.

Adena Schutzberg
Adena@abs-cg.com


Kudos for GISCafe
 To: Susan Smith

Very nice. I like the in-depth content rather than just reprinting industry press releases. Keep up the good work.

Dr. Duane F. Marble, Professor Emeritus of Geography
Center for Mapping
The Ohio State University


To : GISCafe-Editor@ibsystems.com

GISCafe has been great!!
I really like it and with all the spam and junk mail these days it nice to receive something with real relevance.

--Peter Canter
canterp@oslo.geco-prakla.slb.com


Dear Ms Susan Smith

This is to congratulate you for your Notes from URISA 2000. I have enjoyed reading it thoroughly. It was very informative. The case study on Uruguay was very interesting

Dilip Kumar Paul
Physical Planning Consultants (INDIA) Limited


A Case for SVG
 Hi Adena ,

I still think you give short shrift to SVG. SVG is backed by Adobe, IBM, Corel and many others and is now much more sophisticated than VML. SVG "plug-ins" can be obtained for IE and Netscape browsers on most platforms from Adobe at www.adobe.com/svg/. This also contains some cool SVG demonstrations.

Ron Lake
rlake@galdosinc.com
www.galdosinc.com.




Author's Reply:

Ron,

Thanks! I agree that SVG is cool, but until it starts popping up in people's faces, I chose just a mention. And, the whole "plug-in" thing makes it just one more challenge.

Folks are still getting their head around XML and my goal was to make sense of that. Maybe down the road I can do an article on SVG...

Adena Schutzberg
Adena@abs-cg.com


GISCafe in University Curriculum
 I teach an Introductory GIS course at Penn State University. Would you object if I had my class subscript so that I can use your service as a teaching tool?

Todd Bacastow



Reply:

Todd,

This will be a privilege. By all means you can include GISCafe for your class.

We will also be happy to work with you to put your course, the course outline, or any other information about the course on-line at no cost to you.

Thanks.

Sanjay Gangal
GISCafe.com
408-907-8301


Los Alamos Firestorm
 Thomas J. Cova
Assistant Professor of Geography
University of Utah
www.geog.utah.edu/~cova

Dear Tom,

Thanks for the call last Saturday. The board members of the Santa Barbara County Fire Safe Council set in motion via e-mail any interesting material dealing with fire and evacuation. By 8:30 Monday morning, I received a call from Montecito Fire and by now your paper has been read by everyone involved in the "Wildland Interface Mitigation & Evacuation Planning Task Force". The call came because there is renewed interest in the research proposal by Rick (Riviera Evacuation Proposal) which I am hoping is the inevitable route this task force will take. I e-mailed Rick because the Fire Safe Council wants to speak to the group and explain what this research will accomplish as your newest paper supports this research. I gave a city traffic engineer an 'alternative egress routes map' for my area of the Riviera asking them to review it. This prompted her to call areas like Berkeley, Oakland, and Laguna Hills and she asked them how they were dealing with evacuation issues and none are or know how to deal with it. This was the first eye-opener for city traffic. Again, thanks for the call and information and I hope we both get to work on this research.

Marianne Gordin



Coffee, Email and GIS
 I arrive at work every morning and have the GISCafe waiting for me to open when I check my email. Its valuable information enjoyed over a first cup of coffee prepares me for the rest of the day.

-- Richard J. Szmajter, GIS Analyst, City of Durango, Colorado


GISCafe is one of the best GIS sites available on the net. It seamlessly provides all the information not only on the GIS front but also on internet technology.

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