Seeing Data with GIS:From Paper Maps to Immersive

Visualizations

Matt GregoryForest Ecosystems and

SocietyGIS Day 2008

Who am I?

GIS Analyst Programmer Total map geek

In the old days … (before 1996)

Paper maps were the best way to ‘see’ data

Paper maps continue to be important as one way to display and archive information

BUT, with the web comes new possibilities …

Google Maps launched (web based mapping that can be used on your own website)

Google Earth launched Microsoft Virtual Earth

launched

OpenStreetMap (users around the world create roads with handheld GPSs)

Your lifespan in GIS web mapping

1996 2008

1997

MapQuest launched for driving directions

1998

First online GIS web mapping and analysis programs

Terraserver (images and topo maps)

1999

National Atlas of Canada available online

2002

NASA Worldwind launched (first 3D world viewer)

20042005

Many users customize these programs as ‘mash-ups'

2006-2007

Web mapping: pros and cons

Deliver up-to-date data

User can often ‘personalize’ map

Can be less expensive than paper maps for users

Pros Cons Need the

internet Limited

screen space Can be

expensive to produce and maintain for developers

Examples City of Corvallis web mapping Mashup example:

Geocaching.com OpenStreetMap Google Earth GNNViz

On to some examples!

Future of GeoData Visualization?

Some guesses … 3-D visualizations will

get faster and imagery will get more detailed

Handheld devices and phones will not only be able to display but also collect data

Communication in web mapping sites (chat, avatars) not far off

Thanks for your attention!

Any questions?