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April 2008 Welcome to The Sensor -- the newsletter of the Enterprise for Innovative Geospatial Solutions (EIGS) bringing you the latest developments from Mississippi’s 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 |
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April 2008
Mississippi's Geospatial Clearinghouse By Cheryl L. Crawford CDP, PMP During the 2003 legislative session, the Mississippi Legislature passed House Bill 861 to establish the Mississippi Coordinating Council for Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (“the Council”). It charged the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) to manage the development of a digital land base computer model of the State of Mississippi, to be called the Mississippi Digital Earth Model (MDEM). It charged the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services (ITS) with the development, operation and maintenance of a delivery system for geographic information systems data.
What is MDEM?
The Mississippi
Digital Earth Model (MDEM), in simple terms, will be an up-to-date,
highly detailed, computerized map of the State of Mississippi. It will
be similar to, and coordinated with, the National Map being coordinated
at the federal level by the U.S. Geological Survey. The seven framework
layers mentioned in the law are the standard components of electronic
maps as used everywhere by the geographic information system (GIS)
community.
What is MCG? The Mississippi Geospatial Clearinghouse (MGC), was developed by ITS under the auspices of the Council and with the support of its members. It provides access to a comprehensive spatial information warehouse of GIS resources for Mississippi to be used by government, academia, the private sector, and the public. These resources can be accessed via the Web utilizing Internet browsers and via all of ESRI’s ArcGIS® Desktop and server products. The site also publishes OGC-compliant Web Map Services for consumption by a wide variety of viewers. The goal of the MGC is to make the application of spatial information technologies within the State of Mississippi more efficient by reducing the duplication of spatial data production and enhancing distribution through effective cooperation, standardization, communication, and coordination. The MGC offers three primary functions to users: a map viewer with both Basic and Advanced functionality; Data Catalog / Metadata repository which can be searched geographically, by key word, by data theme, by date, and by data publisher; and, an automated data download interface. Discover and access these GIS datasets, including those that comply with the Mississippi Digital Earth Model standard, at the Mississippi Geospatial Clearinghouse at www.gis.ms.gov. The Clearinghouse currently contains the “best available” geospatial data for the State. In some of the layers the best available is actually MDEM-quality. In others, the MDEM-quality data is under development and once it is complete will supplant what is currently being offered. |
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IMAGE OF THE MONTH
A new global portrait taken from space details Earth's land cover with a resolution never before obtained. The European Space Agency (ESA), in partnership with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, presented the preliminary version of the map to scientists at the 2nd GlobCover User Consultation workshop held in Rome, Italy, in March 2008. (Credit: ESA)
"Clearly, our world needs a new approach, an approach that changes how we see and do things, an approach that allows us to get more knowledge about and awareness of all of the problems we are facing," Dangermond said, in reference to worldwide challenges such as growing population, global warming, and resource shortages. "We need a new approach that allows us to apply what we know to all the decisions we are collectively going to carry out, and so the notion of a geographic approach is emerging."
Jack germond, CONGRATULATIONS EIGS congratulates NVision Solutions for being selected as a part of NASA’s latest website which highlights the work NVision does in the area of Coastal Flood Monitoring. For more information:
Resource Spotlight
ESRI Releases ArcGIS 9.3 Beta ESRI is currently distributing the beta version of ArcGIS 9.3. In addition to enhanced performance, participants in the beta program will experience improved functionality and easier integration of data and services. Using the Web, mobile devices, and desktop applications, geographic information system (GIS) content and capabilities can be shared with people who may not even be aware they are using GIS. A highlight of ArcGIS 9.3 will be the new JavaScript APIs that will make it possible to create mashups using ArcGIS Server technology. Find Out the Candidates’ Positions on Science & Technology Science and technology (S&T) play increasingly important roles in our society and for those who govern. From energy policy to the environment, from health care to economic competitiveness, and from science education to immigration, S&T research and its products are critical to many issues on the agendas of Congress and the Executive Branch. Yet, very little of the campaign coverage and candidates' discussion focuses on S&T issues. In response, the AAAS Center for Science, Technology and Congress, with support from the Lounsbery Foundation, has created a website (http://election2008.aaas.org/) as a resource on candidates' S&T positions, and to provide the research community with a vehicle for informing the candidates on emerging S&T issues. The website includes news updates, highlights of and links to candidates' S&T statements and positions, links to other S&T presidential projects, reports, surveys, and events. Source: www.geoplace.com |
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April 7-10, 2008
April 7-11, 2008
April 8-10, 2008
April 15-19, 2008
April 27-May 2, 2008
May 12-14, 2008
May 28-29, 2008
July 21-25, 2008
August 12-15, 2008 Mr. Robert Burkhardt, director of the Engineer Research and Development Center's Topographic Engineering Center, was recently appointed as the Army's first Geospatial Information Officer (GIO)? As GIO, Mr. Burkhardt serves as the Army's central manager responsible for coordination, assessment, and synchronization of all Army policies and standardization requirements for the geospatial information enterprise, which will help enable interoperability across battle command systems, bringing the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marines closer to the realization of a unified common operational picture (COP). "Geospatial data is the foundation for a common operational picture, and the lack of policy and standards in this area prevents a unified COP today," said Mr. Burkhardt. "The technology is available to enable battle command systems to collect information once and allow discovery and exploitation by all, however, without these standards, it is difficult to present unified, understandable solutions within and outside of the Army." Gulfport Police Launch CrimeView Gulfport, Mississippi was essentially ground zero when Hurricane Katrina made landfall in August of 2005. The eye of the storm passed within miles of the city center. The devastation left behind was extensive. As part of the overall push to rebuild the community, Gulfport Police Department recently implemented CrimeView. Through the efforts of The Omega Group, law enforcement staff now have another tool at their disposal in the fight against crime. CrimeView helps maximize limited resources by allowing command staff to place officers at the right place at the right time.
The desktop mapping application utilizes
numerous data layers such as calls for service, incidents, warrants and
field interviews. Command staff are notified twice per day regarding recent
activity through CrimeView’s Threshold Alert routine. Detailed crime
analysis maps and reports for any geographic area in Gulport can now be
created in minutes.
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Northwest Mississippi Community College, in partnership with Mississippi State University’s Extension Service GeoResources Research Institute, is offering a number of remote sensing and GIS courses in various locations in North Mississippi. Course registration will be accepted until one week before beginning class date OR until all seats have been filled. These classes are FREE to city, county, or Mississippi state government agency employees. Others are welcome to take the classes for the cost listed on the schedule. Please visit Northwest Mississippi Community College for a full list of offerings, or contact Joyce Brasell at 662-562-3458, jbrasell@northwestms.edu. The MS Automated Resource Information System (MARIS) announces upcoming classes at the MARIS ESRI ATP training facility in Jackson, MS.
The costs covers all expenses including books and certificates. For more information, visit http://www.maris.state.ms.us/HTM/Training1.htm or contact Steve Walker at swalker@ihl.state.ms.us or 601 432-6149.
Mapping Software Breathes New Life into New geography mapping software for the classroom has been launched across 60 secondary schools engaging “digital native” children throughout the UK. Pupils are being entertained using creative mapping software in activities such as ‘time traveling’ to analyse electronic historical maps compared to modern day geographies, investigating how rivers and shorelines move, or writing newspapers and podcasts about their geography-based findings.
Scheme to
Help Civilian Victims of Terror Strikes Flights would help in launching the series of remote sensing, navigation and space science satellites planned for the 11th Plan period and beyond.
GIS Development
Releases Indian Geospatial Handbook 2008 GIS Development Pvt. Ltd., a Global Geospatial Network Company released the Indian Geospatial Handbook 2008 during the recently held Map India 2008 Conference. This handbook is an outcome of in depth study on geospatial community in India. Being the first of its kind on Indian Geospatial Community, the handbook provides contemporary information on Geospatial Data Producing Agencies, User Organisations, Geospatial Industry, Educational Institutions, Geospatial Policies and Associations.
Cabinet gives
nod to 15 PSLV operation flights funding The major expected achievements will include, the national needs of launching Remote Sensing, Navigation and Space Science satellites planned for the 11th Plan period and beyond, enhanced reliability and capability for PSLV and sustaining production at Indian Industry.
Access Denied: US Law Will Limit Canadian
Access On the same day that Industry Minister Jim Prentice announced a 30-day delay on his decision whether to approve the sale of MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates' (MDA) space division to U.S.-based Alliant Techsystems (ATK), the Rideau Institute and the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) released a legal opinion that raised concerns about the proposed deal. > More Information
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3rd Annual Geospatial
Competition to Showcase Best Geospatial Students in the Nation
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To
sign up to receive The Sensor, visit www.eigs.olemiss.edu Enterprise for Innovative Geospatial Solutions - 100 Barr Hall - University, MS 38677 |
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The
Mississippi Legislature faces two important deadlines this week, including
Wednesday’s deadline for original floor action on appropriations and revenue
bills originating in own house. Friday, April 4th is the deadline for
disposing of motions to reconsider appropriations and revenue bills
originating in own house. With just over one month before the session
concludes, lawmakers have a full slate of bills left for consideration. Sine
Die is scheduled for Sunday, May 11th. 