Common Map Projections
Map projections are one of the fundamental concepts of geography and cartography. Selecting the right map projection is one of the important first considerations for accurate GIS analysis. The problem with projections (and the reason why there are so many types) is that it is very difficult to represent the curved 3D surface of the Earth on a flat 2D surface of a map; some distortion is bound to occur (read about what is a map projection). Many geographers through the ages have tried to solve the distortion problem through various map projections.
GPS eXchange Format
GPX, or GPS eXchange Format is an XML schema designed as a common GPS data format for software applications. It can be used to describe waypoints, tracks, and routes. The format is open and can be used without the need to pay license fees. Its tags store location, elevation, and time and can in this way be used to interchange data between GPS devices and software packages.
ited Nations Cartographic Section Web Site
LINKS TO OTHER WEB SITES: This is the United Nations Geospatial Information Section web site. Links to other sites are provided for information only. The inclusion of these links and their content does not imply official endorsement or approval whatsoever by the United Nations. DESIGNATIONS USED: The depiction and use of boundaries, geographic names and related data shown on maps and included in lists, tables, documents, and databases on this web site are not warranted to be error free nor do they necessarily imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations. COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Unless otherwise noted, the maps included on this web site are produced by the Geospatial Information Section and are copyrighted by the United Nations. Reproduction of any part without the permission of the copyright owner is unlawful.
Basic Uses of GIS
Guest GIS Contributor Justine Nofal writes about some of the basic types of spatial analysis using GIS. A GIS (geographic or geospatial information system) allows you to record a base map with a geospatial referencing system such as longitude or latitude and then to add additional layers of other information. Importantly that information is identified using the same geospatial referencing. The GIS then allows the individual layers, or themes as they are called to be linked.
Map: Vaccine-Preventable Outbreaks
This interactive map visually plots global outbreaks of measles, mumps, whooping cough, polio, rubella, and other diseases that are easily preventable by inexpensive and effective vaccines. Red triangles indicate attacks on vaccinators and healthcare workers, as well as announcements from both governments and non-state actors that have had an impact—either positive or negative—on the successful implementation of vaccination programs. The Global Health Program at the Council on Foreign Relations has been tracking reports by news media, governments, and the global health community on these outbreaks since the fall of 2008. This project aims to promote awareness of a global health problem that is easily preventable, and examine the factors that threaten the success of eradicating preventable illnesses such as polio. Learn more about Global Health. On to the Vaccine-Preventable Outbreaks map
Diving Into GIS: A Starter Guide
The premise of a GIS is this: You take a basemap with features to help you visualize the geographic location, then add data layers, called "Feature Layers," that are delivered from a database. The records in the database include values and labels, as well as fields with X and Y values to geospatially tie the data into the map. More elaborate geospatial tie-ins are created with "Shapefiles." Hidden fields can be used too.
Global Health, Local Knowledge
Marker Color Marker color reflects the noteworthiness of events at a particular location during a given time window. An event's degree of noteworthiness is based on the significance rating of the alert provided by HealthMap users. In the absence of user ratings, the system assigns a composite score based on the disease importance and the news volume associated with the alert. If a location's marker has multiple alerts, the color associated with the most prominent alert is used. Marker Size
If I Were a Small City GIS Manager
By Adam Lodge on January 03, 2012 If I were a small city GIS manager ...I would deploy significant portions of the City's GIS infrastructure using free and Open Source technology.
How do I get started with Blend Shapes?
Prepare Artwork So the first thing to do would be to get your Blend Shapes setup in Maya. The following links are useful guides to getting some basic Blend Shapes ready:
GIS Glossary - GIS Wiki
From Wiki.GIS.com abbreviation A shortened form of a word or phrase which represents the whole. Abbreviations are commonly a letter or group of letters taken from the complete form of the word, such as the usage of St. in place of Street. Abbreviation Dictionary
Developing Focus and Flow For Study Success
Several months ago, my dear neice Kaylin was feeling overwhelmed with a lot of school assignments, tests, essays, papers, and book reports. I sent her the following which she said greatly helped her and others that she shared it with. If you are frustrated with school work (or tasks at work), I hope the following tips will give you help. These principles are useful at work, managing a home, and even Bible study. (Hat tip to David Allen and Getting Things Done book for teaching me many of these lessons)
What single quality predicts a good doctor?
What is the most important characteristic a medical student should have? Intelligence? Empathy?
The Most Useful Productivity Tool in a Browser
June 27, 2012 Have you ever done a websearch to find a fact or resource and ended up in a big, long webpage? It happens to me all the time.
