MassGIS - MGIC Meeting - December 2, 1997

The Official Website of the Office of Geographic and Environmental Information (MassGIS)

Massachusetts Geographic Information Council (MGIC)

December 2, 1997 - Boston, MA

"NEW TOOLS FOR GIS"
Open GIS and Spatial Multimedia

The following sections provide brief summaries, in outline form, of the main points presented by the listed speakers at the December 2, 1997 meeting of the Massachusetts Geographic Information Council (MGIC).

Moderator - Peter Van Demark, Manager of Customer Services for Caliper Corporation

Presentation by Lance McKee, Vice President, Corporate Communications for Open GIS Consortium, Inc.

Abstract: The Open GIS specification is designed to enable interoperability among heterogeneous GIS systems. The goal is the full integration of geospatial data and geoprocessing resources into mainstream computing.

Open GIS website -- http://www.opengis.org/

Consensus-based consortium of public and private sector organizations
Founded to create an industry-wide open-operability standard
Envisions full integration of geographical data
Includes software and hardware companies, universities, data developers, government agencies
Sharing geodata within and between information communities -- network computing resources with Open GIS interfaces.
Old Paradigm --> Static Data Transfer

Now, a "migration from traditional GIS" -- still somewhat proprietary, but strides toward common components, which means more freedom for users (i.e. ESRI's Spatial Database Engine can manage GIS data in Oracle as well as in INFO)
Merge many data types (i.e. remote sensing imaging and survey maps can move fluidly to users
Structure of how Open GIS technology is implemented:

Telecommunications - provide base of the data transfer
Client-Server Technology

Network-accessible universal servers
Distributed computer platforms (DCPs)
CORBA, Java

Open GIS Specification

Data suppliers
Vendors
Integrators
Users
Researchers
All of the above benefit --> a consesus process

GeoPressing Market Channels

Application developers (i.e. GIS in a marketing presentation)
Consumer model (i.e. GPS in automoblies for navigation)
Enterprise model (integrated approach to using GIS data)
Agency programs (i.e. Department of Defense imagery programs, allowing, for example, for a "virtual view" in binoculars of what is beyond a hill)

Open GIS is an interface standard

Features and coverages can be implemented by relational or object-based GIS software
Common set of requests can be understood by Open GIS - compliant services (create, delete, query, etc.)

There must be communication between the database server and the client to interpret well-known structures (i.e. coordinates, lines, strings, rings, polygons, and others) from one type of software to another

Contact Information:
35 Main Street, Suite 5
Wayland MA 01778
USA

Phone: (508) 655-5858
Fax: (508) 655-2237
E-mail: lmckee@opengis.org

Presentation by Michael J. Shiffer, Ph.D., Director of the Computer Resource Laboratories of MIT's Department of Urban Studies and Planning

"Spatial Multimedia: GIS and Multimedia Finally Converge"

Abstract: The evolutionary paths of GIS and multimedia have been converging over recent years. The result has been the development of spatial multimedia tools, such as maps linked to digital video, dynamic imagery and sound linked to quantitative measures, and personal recollections, anecdotes, and opinions. The resulting product is a computer-based map that is projected on the wall of a meeting room. Pointing to locations on a map might yield images of predicted automobile traffic levels, television interviews with concerned residents, or sounds of aircraft taking off from a proposed runway (played at realistic decibel levels!) This talk will describe the promise and potential pitfalls of spatial multimedia, by highlighting the lessons learned in several case studies that have involved MIT's Department of Urban Studies and Planning. It is hoped that an extended application of this research will result in a better understanding of the technology's role in shaping planning processes and its effects on planning-related discussions.

MIT Computer Resource Lab website: http://gis.mit.edu/

Overview:

Traditionally:

Spatial analysis (GIS)

Overlays
Buffers, etc.

Spatial Representation (multimedia)

Virtual navigation
Image Mapping

Now these world collide

Images are part of GIS queries
Customizable GIS tools for the creation of electronic kiosks

Recently:

access GIS from WWW browsers
access WWW browsers from GIS software
Massive growth of GIS "users" - whether they know it or not

Traditional Means of Communication

Same Time Different Time

Same
Place Community
Meeting Individual
Plan Review

Different
Place Human
Proxies Letter and
Newspaper-based
Discourse

These traditional means of communication can be enhanced with multimedia and GIS:

Interactive maps
Orthophoto browser (i.e. the MIT Orthophoto browser)
It is now possible to have "GIS conversations" over the network by collaberating with ArcView GIS software, between different users on different machines, and each sees the other's actions in his or her own View window.
The use of videoconferencing tools, i.e. cable TV access channels
Quick-Time movies
Virtual Reality
The use of "noise contours" in planning applications for looking at the effect of decibel levels on residents near a proposed aircraft repair facility to be located on a closed air base undergoing a reuse plan. Planners can incorporate different types of planes at different distances from the runways.
Put video clip hot links into an ArcView map for showing level of service for traffic volume on a roadway, allowing users to get a look at what roads really look like at rush hour when clicking on a particular line symbol.

Questions and Issues:

Many questions remain and more research is needed in innovation, institutionalization, and use
==> What form will spatial multimedia tools take in the future?

Innovation

component GIS
spatial analysis components of the WWW
client vs. server
other?
How will data collection change?

NERD

How can we accomadate new media?
Who will pay for new media? (Consortia?)

Institutionalization

How can we match the technology to fit the resources of particular situations?
Who will maintain the systems?
What is the best way to deliver the technology to those who will benefit from its use?
What economic and bureaucratic limitations will there be?

Use

How can we evaluate the effects of these technologies?
How does the use of these technologies change the nature of community-related conversations?

Contact Information:

Michael J. Shiffer, Ph.D.
Department of Urban Studies & Planning
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
77 Massachusetts Ave. Room 9-514
Cambridge, MA 02139
USA

Phone: (617) 253-0782
Fax: (617) 253-3625
Email: mshiffer@mit.edu
Website: http://gis.mit.edu/people/mshiffer/

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