December 2006

Welcome to The Sensor -- the newsletter of the Enterprise for Innovative Geospatial Solutions (EIGS) bringing you the latest developments from Mississippi’s emerging geospatial industry cluster. Please feel free to share this with friends and colleagues. To subscribe, visit www.eigs.olemiss.edu

For further information, or to submit story ideas, please contact Lisa Stone - lstone@olemiss.edu 

Lisa Stone
Acting Director, EIGS

 

Director's Cut

‘Tis the season….for lists, lists, lists! Shopping lists, guest lists, holiday to-do lists. Another common list seen during this time of year are lists such as top ten or countdown lists recapping events of the past year. Since this is our last newsletter for 2006, I thought it was a great time to review the accomplishments and successes of Mississippi’s geospatial community with a list of our own:

  • Craig Harvey of NVision Solutions was selected as the 2006 SBA Small Business Person of the Year for Mississippi.

  • The Geospatial Technology Apprenticeship Program (GTAP) was presented with a 2006 Innovator Award from the Southern Growth Policies Board.

  • Delta State University and the MS Department of Environmental Quality were awarded a 2006 Special Achievement in GIS (SAG) award at the Annual ESRI Conference for their use of GIS technology during Hurricane Katrina.

  • NVision Solutions was selected for the 2006 Tibbetts Award for their outstanding accomplishments in innovative technology through SBIR.

  • The MS Automated Resource Information System (MARIS) website was selected as one of the best education resources on the web by StudySphere.

  • Forest One, Inc. was awarded a U.S. Forest Service contract to develop new LiDAR technology.

  • Digital Quest’s SPACESTARS was recommended in GIST Body of Knowledge publication as a GIS training solution.

  • Dr. Scott Samson with MSU's GeoResources Institute was named one of ESRI's Top 5 Instructors for the 2006 Third Quarter.

  • Zack Watts, Lead Geospatial Software Developer for NVision Solutions, becomes 7th ESRI-authorized instructor worldwide to offer ArcIMS training.

  • EIGS welcomed its 18th partner to the cluster, the GEO-ITECH program at MS Gulf Coast Community College.

  • Digital Quest and SkillsUSA established the first-ever National Geospatial Competition.

  • The National Center for Remote Sensing, Air and Space Law garnered international attention as experts from around the world convene in Oxford, MS, for a symposium focused on space law and intellectual property.

  • The UM Geoinformatics Center partnered with World Vision to develop a GIS database for the entire country of El Salvador.

  • For the 8th straight year, Mississippi’s Geospatial Cluster exceeded growth expectations: Jobs grew by almost 10 percent; Average annual salary increased to $55,000; and Private industry investment topped $50 million.

Whew! That is quite an impressive list -- 2006 certainly was a banner year! I am confident that Mississippi is up to the challenge of achieving equally impressive accomplishments in the coming year. From all of us at EIGS, we wish you and your family a happy and safe holiday season. Here’s to a prosperous year in 2007.

IMAGE OF THE MONTH

The population of the United States reached 300 million on October 17, 2006, said the U.S. Census Bureau. With one birth every 7 seconds, a death every 13 seconds, and a migrant entering the country every 31 seconds, the United States’ population is growing at a rate of one person every 11 seconds. Where are all of these people living? This map, based on population estimates made in 2005, charts out the number of people in every square kilometer of the United States.

Image courtesy NASA

SEEN AND HEARD

“In the early years, GIS was considered the domain of a relatively few cloistered techno-geeks. Today, it’s on everyone’s desk, PDA and even cell phone. In just three decades, it has evolved from an emerging science to a fabric of society that depends on its products to get driving directions and share interactive maps of the family vacation. In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor has designated geospatial technology as one of the three “mega-technologies” of the 21st century-right up there with nanotechnology and biotechnology.”

- Joseph Berry,
“Beyond Mapping: Contemporary GIS and Future Directions” in GeoReport.
November 8, 2006.

  

UPCOMING EVENTS

December 3 – 6, 2006
 IIBT’s Emergency Preparedness Response & Recovery Conference
New Orleans, LA

December 5-6, 2006
 Seventh Annual Conference on High Technology
Jackson, MS

 December 5-7, 2006
MS Association of Realtors 2006 Convention & EXPO
Vicksburg, MS

January 17-18, 2007
Mississippi Business & Technology Expo
Jackson, MS

CAREER CENTER

Let GITA help you simplify your job search. To save you time, they've put a number of resources all in one place. GITA, the Geospatial Information & Technology Association (GITA), is a nonprofit educational association serving the global geospatial community. Browse current GIS employment opportunities

LEGISLATIVE CORNER

The 2007 Regular Session of the Mississippi Legislature convenes at 12:00 Noon on Tuesday, January 2, 2007. This session will be a 90 day session with SINE DIE scheduled for Sunday, April 1st.

DID YOU KNOW?

Did You know the GIS Institute, an environmental and educational organization dedicated to putting mapping technologies into action, has launched Service At Sea? Service at Sea is a ship-based technology assistance program that will begin a circumnavigation of the earth in August, 2007. They will assist conservation organizations who are using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology to meet goals of their communities. The 8 to 12 person Service at Sea crew will circumnavigate by sailboat (and overland when in port), to connect with communities, conservation groups, and anyone demonstrating GIS technology efforts to understand and improve the place they call home. Specifically, they will be offering GIS training workshops, assistance, and possibly some data to groups who have GIS efforts already underway. Their premise is that access to current training is very difficult for most of the organizations they wish to serve, so they will bring it to them. Their objective is to sail around the world over four years, using adventure as a vehicle to perform community outreach for and service to international conservation groups, and K-12 teachers and students worldwide. The sailing journey will begin at the
2007 ESRI, Inc. International Users Conference. The route around the world has been maximized to reach as many organizations as possible, both in coastal areas and further inland. For more information, www.thegisinstitute.org.

Global Perspectives

Egypt to Launch First Scientific Satellite
Nov. 9, 2006 -- Egyptian Higher Education Minister Hani Hillal said Tuesday that Egypt, in cooperation with Ukraine, will launch a scientific satellite by the end of 2007 in Kazakhstan, the official news agency MENA reported. More information

ESRI Northeast Africa Helps Expand Regional Growth and Provide Greater Support and Service for GIS Users
Oct. 31, 2006 -- ESRI has announced the establishment of ESRI Northeast Africa (ESRI NEA). The newly formed company will allow the expansion of ESRI's software distribution into Libya, Chad, and Sudan and will provide the support and services required by ESRI's customer base in the region. More information

Afghanistan Opium Cultivation Monitored By International DMC Constellation
Oct. 24, 2006 -- After extensive trials in 2005, DMC International Imaging Ltd. (DMCii) won a contract from the UK Government to supply high-resolution satellite coverage of the whole of Afghanistan to support the surveying of opium crops. (SPX)

China To Launch Direct Broadcasting Satellite; Plans Second Weather Satellite
Oct. 24, 2006 -- The People's Republic of China plans to launch its first direct-broadcasting satellite by the end of October and is planning to launch its second geosynchronous meteorological satellite before the end of the year, according to state-sponsored reports. (Satellite Today)

Indian scientists develop method to predict crop yield
Nov. 24, 2006 -- Indian scientists have developed a mathematical equation that they say can be used to forecast near-accurate crop yield. They claim their generic equation can predict the state-wise crop yield with better than 90% accuracy and help calculate crop yields in other countries as well. More information

ESA Provides Satellite Photos To Google Earth
Nov. 21, 2006 -- The European Space Agency (ESA) has created a special layer of content that will appear in Google Earth, enabling people to see more than 130 new satellite images including natural phenomena and manmade landmarks such as the Palm Islands in Dubai. The new images can be accessed by clicking on the checkbox of Google Earth's "Featured Content" sidebar, and then on the ESA icon. (Satellite Today)

Resource Spotlight:  EarthNow! Goes Live

November 15, 2006 -- Written by USGS
The EarthNow! image viewer (http://earthnow.usgs.gov) went live on Nov. 2, at the USGS Center for Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS). EarthNow! displays data received from the Landsat 5 and Landsat 7 satellites as they pass over the United States. When a Landsat satellite passes within range of the ground station at the USGS EROS center, image data are downlinked and displayed in near-real time. When Landsat 5 and 7 are not in range, the most recent pass is displayed. More information
 

Explore the World of Geospatial Blogs

In today’s world of information-on-the-go, we are constantly being introduced and exposed to new buzz words on the technology front. One that has been around for a while now, but has gained a lot of traction lately, is what is commonly referred to as a BLOG. In case you haven’t taken the opportunity to bring yourself up-to-date, a blog is basically a journal that is available on the web. They are typically updated daily and, generally speaking, they represent the personality of the author or the website. Blogs are fairly informal and posts on a blog can include thoughts, comments, and philosophies of the blog's creator. The geospatial world has not been immune to this new trend -- there are a number of blogs that focus on geospatial technology that are good resources for sharing information and opinions. We did a little research and gathered a sampling of geospatial blogs. Happy blogging!

Conference Report:
Over 200 attend 6th Annual Mid-South GIS Conference

The 6th Annual Mid-South GIS Conference was held November 13-14, 2006, in Memphis, TN, where EIGS was a sponsor, exhibitor, and a presenter. Joining Marty Inman for EIGS were Lauren Bussey, Josh Mattox, and Michael Cook with EMC as well as Kelly Boyd, Melissa Gartman, and Joel Lawhead of NVision Solutions.

Kelly Boyd, NVision Solutions

The EIGS panel session focused on the theme, “Are You Ready for the Next Disaster? Using GIS to Prepare, Respond and Rebuild.” The speakers were Lauren Bussey, GIS Analyst with EMC Surveying and Mapping and Kelly Boyd, GIS Specialist with NVision Solutions. The presentations provided an overview of the effectiveness of GIS in the recovery efforts after Katrina. Click here to see the presentations.

The keynote speaker for the conference was Dr. Jacqueline Mills. Dr. Mills is a Research Associate and Coordinator for the LSU GIS Clearinghouse Cooperative. Dr. Mills was stationed at an Emergency Operation Center in Louisiana during Katrina and she discussed what she observed and learned during her time there. A few of the issues that Dr. Mills had to address were structural, personnel, and technical. Having the proper equipment to handle the multitude of data was of utmost importance. They also faced unique personnel management challenges with so many volunteers at the EOC. Dr. Mills emphasized the importance of starting to prepare now by getting emergency personnel and first responders on board with GIS.

Lauren Bussey, EMC Surveying and Mapping

The Conference was organized and hosted by the Memphis Area Geographic Information Council (MAGIC), an association of GIS professionals, users, and interested individuals in the Memphis region established to:

  • Stimulate and encourage the advancement of an interdisciplinary, professional approach to the planning, design, operation, and use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and related technology to meet the needs of public and private information providers and users;

  • Provide a forum to discuss the standardization of data collection techniques and commonly agreed upon standards of excellence for GIS users, and develop and promote a framework for mutual benefit, with the eventual goal of formulating data-sharing guidelines and standards;

  • Improve communication and coordination among the various professional disciplines who comprise the membership of MAGIC; Bridge the gap between information producers and users;

  • Promote professional and educational development of the membership and interested parties by providing opportunities for the exchange of knowledge and information, for examination of GIS-based technological solutions to the needs of management and for the transfer of GIS-based technologies;

  • Promote and facilitate data sharing among MAGIC members and advocate communication with other GIS users' organizations.

For more information, visit http://www.midsouthgis.org.

Also access NVision's slideshow presentation

Partner News

GRI Professor Named an ESRI Top 5 Instructor

Scott A. Samson, PhD, Associate Extension Professor with MSU's GeoResources Institute has been named one of ESRI's Top 5 Instructors for the 2006 Third Quarter. Dr. Samson has been an authorized ESRI instructor for 8 years, and offers the following courses through his workshops held in various locations throughout Mississippi:

  • Introduction to ArcGIS I

  • Introduction to ArcGIS II

  • Working with ArcGIS Spatial Analyst

  • Introduction to Programming ArcObjects with VBA

  • Introduction to ArcIMS

Authorization to offer workshops using ESRI GIS software requires considerable experience with GIS, rigorous examination by ESRI and demonstrated ability to teach effectively. For some courses, Dr. Samson is the only one in the Southeastern United States to offer advanced ESRI workshops. The other ESRI TOP 5 Instructors are from Florida, Texas and Connecticut. While other instructors' student totals numbered from 39 to 64, Dr. Samson taught a total of 153 students during the third quarter of 2006. Dr. Samson may be contacted at 662-325-9491 or ssamson@gri.msstate.edu.

MTA Kicks off MXTX
The Mississippi Executive Talent Exchange (MXTX) is where emerging technology companies meet experienced executive talent. MXTX is an affordable way for emerging technology companies to find pre-screened, experienced executives who have an interest in living and working in Mississippi.

GTAP Now Administered by Pearl River Community College
Pearl River Community College (PRCC) is the new program administrator for the Geospatial Technology Apprenticeship Program, a workforce solution for the geospatial industry. The program was passed on to PRCC from the University of Southern Mississippi in a ceremony at Stennis Space Center. For more information about GTAP, contact Troy Teadt of PRCC at 228-688-3113 or tteadt@prcc.edu.

MGCCC program limited only by imagination

The Geo-ITECH program at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) was recently featured in an article in the Times of Stone County. Here is an excerpt of the article by Bill Snyder:

Some people do it for fun. Some people do it to save lives. The unfortunate reality is, not many people know what it is. Geographic Information Systems or GIS – how do you explain it and what can you do with it? Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College has the answers. For almost four years, the college has offered the GIS Technology program, specifically designed to prepare individuals with the necessary training to enter the growing geospatial workforce. More information

Space Law Travels
The UM Lawyer (Fall/Winter 2006) reports that Joanne Gabrynowicz, Director of the National Remote Sensing and Space Law Center at The University of Mississippi, spent much of her summer speaking with law, political, and scientific leaders throughout Asia as she conducted space law and remote sensing research in Thailand, India, Malaysia, and Japan. Gabrynowicz reported her findings to the NOAA Advisory Committee on Commercial Remote Sensing in Washington, D.C., in September 2006.

EIGS In the News

MDOT chooses Baker for I-55 project
Mississippi Business Journal - November 01, 2006
JACKSON — The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) has selected Michael Baker Jr. Inc. to provide multiple engineering and design services for the reconstruction of three miles of Interstate 55 in Madison County. Under the $2.3-million, 14-month contract, Baker will provide a broad array of engineering and design services, including surveying, soil profiles, right-of-way plans, construction plans, hydraulic design, roadway and bridge design, permanent signage plans and traffic signal and lighting design. More information

Digital Quest's SPACESTARS Achieves Listing
GeoPlace.com
Digital Quest, Inc. is pleased to announce that it’s flagship product -- SPACESTARS, a fully-developed series of "turn-key" geospatial curriculum for workforce development, technical schools, colleges, and universities -- is listed in the newly published Geographic Information Science and Technology Body of Knowledge. SPACESTARS is a partnership between Digital Quest Inc., and Berkley Geo-Research Group. More information

NVision Solutions Offers Authorized ArcIMS Training
GISUser.com
NVision Solutions, Inc., a leading provider of geospatial solutions, is pleased to announce Zack Watts, Lead Geospatial Software Developer for NVision, is now an ESRI-Authorized Instructor for the course “Introduction to ArcIMS”. More information

WorldView-1 to replace QuickBird Satellite for DigitalGlobe
GIS Development.net
USA, 21 November 2006 - A next-generation spacecraft will launch next year that can take satellite images of the Earth that show objects as small as 20 inches across - about the width of a seat at a stadium. It also can take four to five times as many images as existing satellites during its 90-minute orbits of the planet. More information

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