Interesting conversation and lots of good points. In regards to making geographical analysis available on the Web for non technical users we've run into two big hurdles in our work.
1) Getting the analysis engines and data manipulation to scale to a Web environment with possible flash crowds. 2) Creating a user interface and work flow that is intuitive for non technical users, but still guides them towards proper analysis and/or cartography Both are quite challenging but I think achievable. I'm sure there will be other hurdles to conquer, and if we are waiting for an ESRI/Google partnership to solve it all I think we'll be disappointed. Otherwise we'll just be arm chair quarterbacks. We can throw stones at OSM for things it does not do well, but they are in the trenches making it happen. I believe MapMaker is just going to accelerate the innovation pace. From that perspective competition is always good - just have to wonder if Google's Herfindahl-Hirschman Index is getting a bit high. best, sean FortiusOne Inc, 2200 Wilson Blvd. suite 307 Arlington, VA 22201 cell - 202-321-3914 ----- Original Message ----- From: "David G. Smith PE PLS" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2008 10:03:19 AM (GMT-0500) America/New_York Subject: Re: [Geowanking] Spatial analysis was Re: MapMaker Traditional desktop GIS analysis packages provide a lot of extraneous capability which is not always needed by every user in every situation, but which may end up serving as a distractor as an inexperienced user tries to navigate the software. Services-based analysis could serve to provide flexible, yet focused and powerful capability. David G. Smith PE PLS Synergist Technology Group, Inc. 570.280.6763 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - NOTE: New cell phone number: 570-280-6763 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Andrew Larcombe Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2008 9:57 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Geowanking] Spatial analysis was Re: MapMaker On 26 Jun 2008, at 14:04, David G. Smith PE PLS wrote: > Not at all - It starts to blur the lines. Average users being able > to perform these types of complex spatial queries and analyses with > easy-to-use, intuitive interfaces and/or plain-language terms, in a > web interface without need for complex GIS software and the > associated learning curves. Domain experts, such as biologists, > criminal investigators and the like, being able to focus directly > on their work instead of getting wrapped up in learning the > intricacies of desktop GIS or having to hand off the question to a > GIS analyst. To turn the issue around somewhat - which bit of the complexity of desktop GIS and which bit of the learning curve can you remove whilst still getting the same results that a GIS analyst might provide? Cheers, A -- Andrew Larcombe Freelance Geospatial, Database & Web Programming web: http://www.andrewlarcombe.co.uk : http://blog.andrewl.net email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] icq: 306690163 _______________________________________________ Geowanking mailing list [email protected] http://lists.burri.to/mailman/listinfo/geowanking _______________________________________________ Geowanking mailing list [email protected] http://lists.burri.to/mailman/listinfo/geowanking _______________________________________________ Geowanking mailing list [email protected] http://lists.burri.to/mailman/listinfo/geowanking
