Starting in January 2008, the Census Bureau will begin releasing TIGER spatial data in
shapefile format. A revised record layout for the shapefiles and associated relationship files is now available in [PDF] and
formats. This document was most recently updated on December 13, 2007.
What is TIGER®?
The term TIGER® comes from the acronym Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing which is the name for the system and digital database developed at the U.S. Census Bureau to support its mapping needs for the Decennial Census and other Bureau programs…. [MORE]
I’ve been using TIGER streets data for years as the cheap man’s way to get streets in. TIGER has been known for very crude streets and certainly not ones you could use in a 911 system because it is not accurate to true centerlines. The Census bureau has been preforming map modernization on streets and other layers recently and there are significant improvements, though in many areas it still isn’t quite good enough…. [MORE]
How can a county or city benefit with the new TIGER GIS data in shapefile format? Now you won’t have to use a special extraction utility to get the data into shapefile format. In fact, in ArcGIS there is a batch utility that will allow you to reproject an entire county’s shapefile dataset. Every shapefile produced contains an associated projected (PRJ) file. All Census Bureau generated shapefiles are in GCS NAD83, and each PRJ file will contain the following:
GEOGCS["GCS_North_American_1983", DATUM["D_North_American_1983", SPHEROID["GRS_1980",6378137,298.257222101]], PRIMEM["Greenwich",0], UNIT["Degree",0.017453292519943295]]
So I guess it’s about time. Thanks Census guys.
And if you are interested, GEO-Jobe has the most recent Census data for (2006 second edition) TN already reprojected. It’s available in shapefile format for all available layers.
We found a great article, from Spatially Adjusted, explaining the future of ArcSDE at the ArcGIS Server 9.3 release. There is also great information on how ArcGIS Server will integrate with new Spatial Databases as well as connect to and create older versions of the GEOdatabase. Here are the bullet points listed below.
- ArcSDE at 9.3 will become fully integrated into ArcGIS Server. ArcGIS Server Enterprise will be the “traditional” ArcSDE level where ArcGIS Server supports an unlimited number of users via either direct connect or connection to an application server. It offers DBMS support for IBM DB2, IBM Informix, all editions of Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle and PostgreSQL. It has no data or memory limits.
- ArcGIS will connect to Microsoft SQL Server via direct connect. Out of the box ArcGIS application will be able to connect to Microsoft SQL Server Express Spatial, but if you want unlimited users, you’ll need to purchase ArcGIS Server Enterprise.
- ArcGIS supports older versions of the Geodatabase. At 9.3, ArcGIS can connect and create geodatabases (personal, file) back to 9.0. This means you won’t need to keep older versions of the geodatabase around to share with others. You also won’t have to upgrade your geodatabases just because ArcGIS went to a new release. If you wish, you can keep your older geodatabases running at whatever release you wish (back to 9.0).
- SQL Server 2008 Spatial will be fully supported when Microsoft releases final version of SQL Server 2008. This might mean that SQL Server 2008 support might not show up until SP1 or SP2 for 9.3. It all depends on Microsoft’s release schedule.
- PostgreSQL support will be available at 9.3 as has been reported. There will be support for both the PostGIS and ESRI data types.
- ArcGIS Engine will allow developing with Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Express so you can scale down your enterprise applications to the workgroup level. You’ll no longer be limited to working with personal for file geodatabases.
- ArcGIS Server Enterprise will support 64bit processors. This is only the spatial database application server and not the AGS Basic, Standard and Advanced product.
If you didn’t have to pay for it, that is. The poll asked:
If you could take one course for free (and had time to study!) what type of course would you choose?
Just under 300 responded to it. Programming tops the list? What does that tell you about the one-size-fits-all out of the box applications and the rise of the mashup? And when it comes to creativity, who is pushing the envelope in GIS development the most today? Is it ESRI, Google, Microsoft, TeleAtlas…?
Some of the most creative consumer based user interface adaptations in mapping to come along over the last five years were developed outside of the traditional GIS space. As GIS became more accepted and recognized (Google Earth), these outsiders became the insiders and pushed the traditions around a little. They may not have recognized the name GIS, but they were certainly using an Information System based around Geography (aka GIS). Now if you want really good directions, you’ll still have to go to Mapquest which still lags behind in cool interfacing. If you want really neat imagery, though not always the most current, you’ll do best with Virtual Earth. If you want everything else, you’ll Google for it.
It’s the data, stupid.
We were talking shop the other day and realized the traditional GIS space lacks creativity in maximizing the IS part of GIS. So much focus is on data capture and display, and less on how it can be used in bigger enterprise IS systems. That’s not to say it is not being used, we just keep thinking of great ideas that still aren’t being developed yet because the mindset is still so niche focused.
As a GIS user, what say you?
Please see this post for more updated info. ESRI now offers a Small Municipal and County Government Enterprise License Agreement (ELA) Program that allows unlimited deployments of ESRI ArcGIS software to municipalities and counties in the United States. The program provides access to the geographic information system (GIS) technology small governments need with a straightforward, tiered pricing schedule.
The ELA Program is open to all governments in the United States with populations of 100,000 or less. Benefits to these organizations include
- Updated versions of GIS software to provide a consistent platform
- Flexible deployments to desktops, servers, and mobile devices
- Opportunities to consolidate GIS and IT initiatives, establish internal standards, and integrate ESRI business partner solutions
- Ability to incorporate GIS into mission-critical applications and workflows
The core technology for the ELA is ESRI’s ArcGIS software, which is an open and interoperable technology platform that provides advanced visualization and cartographic capabilities, spatial analysis, geographic data management, and more. ArcGIS software is a complete system to author, serve, and use geographic information. The technology gets geographic information to those who need it, including analysts, decision makers, field staff, and the public, through its support of mobile, Web, and desktop clients.
As an authorized ESRI Consultant, Reseller, and Trainer, GEO-Jobe GIS Consulting can assist you with understanding if this program is right for you.
Here are a few links for state of TN GIS products and info.
- GEO-Jobe GIS Consulting
- State of Tennessee GIS Services
- Tennessee Basemap Program
- TNGIC Tennessee Geographic Information Council
- MAGIC – Mempis Area Geographic Information Council
- TNGIS – Tennessee Spatial Data Server
- USFWS – Tenneesse Data Sets
I know there are more out there. If you have a few that you’d like listed, send us a comment.
In a meeting yesterday that I attended along with representatives from a good number of counties in eastern Tennessee, Dennis Pedersen shared the vision for the next four years of the TN Base Map Program (TNBMP). Tennessee is one of the first states in the country to have an entire county-by-county cadastral and ortho program completed. From TNBMP’s inception in the late 90′s, every TN county had its entire parcel dataset digitized and also received new B/W orthos. Many of the orthos are now considered old and technology advancements in new digital orthophotography have caused prices to drop. The next phase will provide the counties with a new ortho every 4 years through a partnership with the Tennessee DOT, which will fly each county by region, capturing 25% of the counties each year. Over a four year period, every county will receive new color 1′ orthos. West TN counties will be the first to benefit from this program with flights beginning in 2008.
For more information on TNBMP, visit gis.state.tn.us.
ArcPad is software for mobile GIS and field mapping applications using handheld and mobile devices. ArcPad provides field-based personnel with the ability to capture, analyze, and display geographic information, without the use of costly and outdated paper map books. Below is a list of enhancements in the 7.1 Release.
- Much-anticipated, out-of-the-box solutions to view and edit relational databases in the field
- QuickProject & A simple data template to capture various geographic features and help both new and experienced users become immediately productive
- StreetMap extension & Includes the most recent North American street map data from Tele Atlas, providing geocoding, routing functionalities, and a preconfigured basemap for users at no additional cost
- Enhanced query capabilities & Includes a query builder and query forms that support predefined, customized queries
- ArcPad Data Manager extension for ArcGIS Desktop & Interactive tools in ArcMap and ArcPad that allow simple automation of field workflows and easier management of mobile GIS project deployments
HT: GISMonitor
To try a fully functional evaluation copy of ArcPad 7.1, visit www.esri.com/arcpad. The ArcPad Application Builder 7.1 update will be shipped automatically to customers who are current on maintenance without additional cost. Users who have purchased ArcPad 7.0.1 since October 22, 2007, will be eligible for a free upgrade to ArcPad 7.1.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., or 3:00 p.m. (PST)
Noon, 2:00 p.m., or 6:00 p.m. (EST)
5:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., or 11:00 p.m. (UTC/GMT)
No-Cost Live Training Seminar
Learn techniques for developing applications with ArcGIS Server and the Java Web Application Developer Framework when you view our next live training seminar, Building Applications with ArcGIS Server Using the Java Platform. We will demonstrate how to use out-of-the-box templates and controls to build Web applications as well as how to extend those applications with customized functionality.
Viewing the Seminar
A broadband Internet connection and an ESRI Global Account are needed to view the seminar. An ESRI Global Account is complimentary and only takes a few minutes to create. A few weeks after the live presentation, a recorded version of the seminar will be archived and available for viewing.
For more information, please visit ESRI Training and Education.
We hope you will join us for the seminar.
I just had to share this GIS (G-I-Yes!) video with you. Very Funny! What a great job by the Austin Texas GIS group who created this video for their 2007 GIS Day.
Thanks goes out to Sharon Stevens with Rutherford County, TN GIS for sending this link our way. Keep ‘em coming Sharon.
Enjoy!
This meeting covers current and upcoming information about ortho flights for local partner counties. The meeting is held at Knoxville DPA regional office.
Loading ...