February 2006 Newsletter
Indiana GIS Conference
Mark your calendars for the Annual Indiana GIS Conference, March 7-8, 2006. Your professional
development opportunities abound, with exciting sessions, technology discussions, forums, student
poster competition and more! Sponsorship and exhibiting space are now available. Visit the
conference website for all the details. Early Bird pricing ends February 10th, so sign up today!
Conference Hotel Discount Rate Ends February 10th
A block of rooms has been reserved at the historic Crowne Plaza for conference attendees. Be
sure to use Group Booking Code "GEO" online or tell them you're with the Indiana Geographic
Information Conference if you reserve by phone 317.631.2221.
GPS Treasure Hunt
If you're arriving early and looking for some GeoFun, plan on participating in the GITA/IKO
GeoCaching Competition on March 6th from 1:00pm - 4:00pm. Team up and follow the clues - it
could lead you to a brand new GPS unit. Never tried it? Don't worry, there's a GPS training
session in the morning. Visit the conference website for more information or contact Laura Haley
to register haleyl@bloomington.in.gov.
Pre-Conference Mixer
Formerly known as the local government reception, this year we've opened it up to everyone.
Come enjoy a relaxed evening with professional conversation, good food, and new friends before
the conference rush. An informal presentation on relevant GIS management topics kicks off the
night. This is one-on-one networking at its best. Just check the "Pre-Conference Mixer" box
on your registration.
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Vote Like You Mean It
IGIC members have their first opportunity to flex those participatory muscles. Voting for the
IGIC Board of Directors opens this Friday, February 3rd and runs through February 24th. All
members are welcome and encouraged to cast their ballot for candidates in eight different
categories, including critical infrastructure, private industry and rural communities.
Members will receive an email with instructions before voting officially opens.
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Map Hacks, Mashups and GIS
We should never loose sight of the power of maps - our end product. That power is exposed like
never before through the momentum behind map mashups. And it has the potential to change the way
we do business. The term "mashup" refers to websites that weave data from different sources
into a new service. Popular new search engine maps (from companies like Google, Yahoo and
Microsoft) have inspired people (referred to as map hacks) to put their own data on maps.
This is enabled by simpler computer languages, open application programming interfaces (APIs)
and web tools (GoogleMaps, for example, allows users to integrate data into it using just ten
lines of code (www.google.com/apis/maps)). Mashups offer a creative way for ordinary people
to share data - about a single person or by linking to publicly accessible/machine readable databases.
Web search engine maps live off of data created and used in traditional GIS. They feed off
of the often tedious research, data collection, and analysis that create good data (good data
in - good information out). They have already penetrated the global marketplace and are
quickly unleashing the power to make geography ubiquitous. We may view this as a new
opportunity to make critical information available to the public - information that was
created by raw data and powerful GIS systems. This year, we should be on our toes examining
the potential power of mashups. The web is no longer static - mashups are changing the way
the web is used, turning the web into a global system. Should mashups be among the variety
of tools in our own tool boxes?
Here are some of my favorite Google mashups (from serious to silly - enjoy!):
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Where Do You Live?
Address Validation Software
Everyone cares about addresses, but not everyone cares equally. In Hamilton County, we have
numerous databases that contain addresses and/or street names, including those from the
Auditor's Office, the Sheriff, the Surveyor's Office, the Highway Department, and the
Elections Office, to name just a few.
There is an old Chinese proverb: "A man with one watch always knows what time it
is, but a man with two watches is never sure." In our case, it is sometimes difficult to
know which database contains the "correct" address for a given parcel. We have also found
there are different definitions of "correct."
As an example, in one subdivision, we have a discrepancy between the street name on the
recorded plat and the commonly used street name (which is on the street sign). The Auditor's
Office may consider the street name on the recorded plat to be "correct," but the mailman, the
voter who lives on that street, the appliance delivery service, and the first responder will
probably consider the name on the street sign to be "correct."
To further complicate the issue, addresses have zip codes associated with them, and in
Hamilton County, we have a history of changing zip codes. In the past 20 years, we have added
no less than five new zip codes and two new post offices. It is not an easy task to figure out
which records in a database should be assigned a new zip code when one is created. Zip codes
are not polygons!
I have recently learned of a class of products used primarily by companies who do mass
mailings. The U.S. Postal Service has a process of evaluating address matching software
known as Coding Accuracy Support System (CASS). Address validation software is actually a
combination of software and the official U.S. Postal Service data files. This software is
used to prepare mailings that are CASS-certified and therefore qualify for bulk mail postage
discounts. The software can correct errors such as wrong street name spellings or incorrect
zip codes. New U.S. Postal Service data files are released in February, April, June, August,
October, and December, and CASS certification is valid only for data that is less than about four months old.
Although I am not exactly sure of the source or lineage of the data in the U.S. Postal Service
data files, they are a credible and uniform source of data. If you are concerned with mailing
addresses, address validation software may be exactly what you need. If you are concerned with
physical addresses for some other sort of delivery or for emergency response, address validation
software may still suit your purposes, as long as you are aware of its shortcomings for these
purposes. There are some addresses that do not receive mail, such as businesses or residences
that use post office boxes. These are still valid addresses for emergency response and real property taxes.
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Seminars
Using ArcMap
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI): Tuesday, February 7th, 8:00am - 12:00pm
Indiana University-Bloomington (IUB): Wednesday, February 8th, 8:00am - 12:00pm
ArcMap is a powerful desktop GIS application used for both GIS analysis and cartographic map
production. This hands-on workshop introduces users to the ArcMap interface as they perform
fundamental GIS analyses and build a complex map from scratch. Participants will learn how
to display map features, edit geographic data, work with tables, query and select geographic
features, and create a print-quality map layout. This introductory workshop is designed for
new or existing GIS users who want a jump start using a variety of tools and analyses available
from the ArcMap application. Visit
http://ittraining.iu.edu/workshops/schedule_by_group.aspx?group=15 to register.
Creating Models with the ModelBuilder in ArcGIS
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI): Thursday, February 23rd, 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Indiana University-Bloomington (IUB): Friday, February 24th, 1:00pm - 5:00pm
The ModelBuilder environment introduces a new way of performing analysis and
automating workflows. It helps you more fully utilize your GIS by providing a rich
environment that closely couples the integration of GIS and process models. This
workshop will help you learn how to create your own models that automate workflows or perform
analysis. You will learn how to create and execute models with geoprocessing tools and data,
as well as how to use the many features of the ModelBuilder environment to document and
distribute your models so they can be used by others. The workshop will include instruction,
hands-on computer experience, and tips for creating models with ArcGIS 9.1. Note: This
workshop is for those familiar with ArcGIS, but new to ArcGIS 9.1, or new to ModelBuilder.
Visit
http://ittraining.iu.edu/workshops/schedule_by_group.aspx?group=15 to register.
Using HAZUS-MH for Disaster Mitigation
Indiana State Emergency Operations Center: March 9-10, 8:30am - 4:30pm
The Indiana Department of Homeland Security is offering free Basic HAZUS-Multihazards training.
This course will provide attendees with a working knowledge of the HAZUS-MH methodology and the
GIS-based software. It will give a strong understanding of the multi-hazard applications of HAZUS
toward mitigation, response, recovery and risk management. It will specifically discuss how HAZUS
can be used to meet the ongoing requirements of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000. HAZUS-MH
models earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes, but this offering will focus on the flood and earthquake
modules of HAZUS since they are most relevant to Midwestern communities.
If you would like to register for this course, please send email with your name,
organization, email, title(s) and date(s) of the course to hazusgis@yahoo.com. You
may also call 317.232.3833 if you have any questions.
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Evolving Economies
Chesterton, in northwest Indiana, is the third largest community in Porter County.
Over the past 10 years, two major trends have effected the area: 1.) substantial
increase in population and residential density, and 2.) instability in the steel industry.
The town needed to coordinate growth management with an effective vision of economic development.
For years, the steel industry has been Chesterton's primary economic base. With the
recent collapse and resurgence of the steel industry, however, the town was forced to take a
closer look at the structure of the local economy. To diversify the economy, Chesterton needs to
attract new development companies. So the town produces custom packages to reach commercial and
industrial developers. GIS is used to create maps and data charts showing information vital to
these companies: population growth, land use and transportation planning, economic conditions,
natural areas, hazard mitigation, and infrastructure management. These maps and data charts
highlight the benefits of locating in Chesterton, and identify development opportunities.
Using GIS as a marketing tool, Chesterton has been able to effectively sell the benefits of the
community - and specific locations - to developers. The maps and data charts give corporations a
way to see the transportation network, infrastructure, and other land factors, and how these
things will impact them. Using GIS as a tool in the development packages helps Chesterton
successfully compete for economic growth on a global level.
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Where to Buy
To attract new business to the state, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation has
implemented a web-based mapping application that can search through a database of available
properties and buildings statewide. Users can search for buildings or land, and query whether
a property is for lease or sale, specify dimensions and square footage, and whether the
property has railroad access. Once a selection is made, the user will view a map with
icons representing matches. The user can then click an icon and get general information
about that property or building and possibly a photograph of the site. Visit the new
site and building database at
www.in.gov/iedc/site/indiana_properties.html.
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GIS Technician Position
The Northeastern REMC has immediate opening for a GIS Technician. Responsibilities at the
electric cooperative include support of GIS mapping system; creation and maintenance of drawings
for distribution system, substations and construction standards; maintenance of CAD, GIS and GPS
software. An associate degree in an engineering-related field or equivalent experience is required,
as is drafting/CAD, and personal computer experience. Prefer experience with geographic survey
drawings; GIS, GPS and database systems and software; experience with survey equipment and methods.
Applications and resumes will be accepted through February 10, 2006, from 8:00am - 3:30pm, M-F at:
Northeastern REMC, Park 30, 4901 E Park 30 Drive, Columbia City IN 46725 or emailed to mbobilya@nremc.com.
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