Maps in the Digital Age
Q: What are your thoughts about mapping in the digital age?
A: Digital mapping is a very dynamic and interesting field. We are so far ahead of the days of static paper maps...which was not so long ago! With GPS units on commonly available devices (smartphone etc)and the general public becoming more and more comfortable with formerly not-so-widely known functions such as geotagging (photos on Picasa for e.g.) the digital mapping age has just taken off! Digital mapping will go beyond analysis and a data tool to a commonly used neccesity such as Mapquest, GoogleMaps etc. There will be growth in use of tools such as friend finders, customized location based marketing, specific customized advertising etc. The semantic web is going to unleash a whole new sector of growth for this industry.
A: Digital mapping is a very dynamic and interesting field. We are so far ahead of the days of static paper maps...which was not so long ago! With GPS units on commonly available devices (smartphone etc)and the general public becoming more and more comfortable with formerly not-so-widely known functions such as geotagging (photos on Picasa for e.g.) the digital mapping age has just taken off! Digital mapping will go beyond analysis and a data tool to a commonly used neccesity such as Mapquest, GoogleMaps etc. There will be growth in use of tools such as friend finders, customized location based marketing, specific customized advertising etc. The semantic web is going to unleash a whole new sector of growth for this industry.
Q: Can you imagine a future of "pervasive mapping" where you will always know where all the people you care about are at any given moment?
A: The technology to be able to follow/map a person has been around for some time. Initial usage has been slow due to privacy concerns etc. But with the 'democratization' of technology, and the 'open' nature of Gen X and Y....growth/visibility in use of social media....being able to see/show location at any/all times is gaining a foothold. Being able to control more of the information being sent out and adding/removing information will be important. This also opens the huge field of customized location based marketing/advertising using various heavily used social media channels. In addition to a way to reach out, it is also a data source to get valuable information out of to analyze patterns, habits for input in marketing, advertising, transportation/city/pedestrian planning, elections etc.
A: The technology to be able to follow/map a person has been around for some time. Initial usage has been slow due to privacy concerns etc. But with the 'democratization' of technology, and the 'open' nature of Gen X and Y....growth/visibility in use of social media....being able to see/show location at any/all times is gaining a foothold. Being able to control more of the information being sent out and adding/removing information will be important. This also opens the huge field of customized location based marketing/advertising using various heavily used social media channels. In addition to a way to reach out, it is also a data source to get valuable information out of to analyze patterns, habits for input in marketing, advertising, transportation/city/pedestrian planning, elections etc.
Q: Apart from privacy concerns, what other factors limit widespread adoption of these technologies?
A: The technology available is just being made in a more user friendly format. Typical lay users need to be able to intuitively use various functions easily. I would say ease of use (GUI is a huge step forward already but needs more work!). Managing the huge datasets that will be automatically generated due to the 'digital' nature of the world will need to be managed effectively. This is a challenge. Another is making the tools useful in context. For example sending an ad for a promotion within a few meters of you when you are walking versus just zooming by in your car at 65mph is a challenge. You may or may not be interested in the promotion, receiving useless info will reduce the adoptability. But we are getting there!
A: The technology available is just being made in a more user friendly format. Typical lay users need to be able to intuitively use various functions easily. I would say ease of use (GUI is a huge step forward already but needs more work!). Managing the huge datasets that will be automatically generated due to the 'digital' nature of the world will need to be managed effectively. This is a challenge. Another is making the tools useful in context. For example sending an ad for a promotion within a few meters of you when you are walking versus just zooming by in your car at 65mph is a challenge. You may or may not be interested in the promotion, receiving useless info will reduce the adoptability. But we are getting there!
Q: Do you think limitations in GPS accuracy are preventing the development more useful applications?
A: GPS accuracy is pretty good. Commercially available GPS can pinpoint down to a couple of inches. With the adoption (and availability) of more smartphones for eg, there will be a huge growth in GIS/GPS usage. IPhone already has several GIS enabled packages. They are not labeled as such but the uderlying data and tools comes for basic GIS functionality. Yelp, GoogleNav, Friendfinder are just a few basically GIS enabled tools for the general public. More will come with growth in 'augmented reality'.
A: GPS accuracy is pretty good. Commercially available GPS can pinpoint down to a couple of inches. With the adoption (and availability) of more smartphones for eg, there will be a huge growth in GIS/GPS usage. IPhone already has several GIS enabled packages. They are not labeled as such but the uderlying data and tools comes for basic GIS functionality. Yelp, GoogleNav, Friendfinder are just a few basically GIS enabled tools for the general public. More will come with growth in 'augmented reality'.
