Update: Article at WHYY’s newsworks about our balloon flight

Dana looks EXTREMELY happy holding the balloon!

None of this could have been done without the help of the great sponsors and supporters, including:

• Public Labs
• The Hacktory
• Hacks Hackers
• Delaware River Waterfront Corporation
• Philadelphia School District
• Knight-Mozilla OpenNews
• Philly Tech Week

Update: Here are some additional images from the workshop. Photo Credits to: Joe Gallagher, Philip Ichinaga and Dana Bauer.

Geomatics Mentor

I started working with my geomatics mentor the first year into my “first job”, and I still speak with him multiple times a week. I have learned a lot from him and developed a great personal and professional relationship with him. We have both been through a few jobs in the course of 15 years, but have stayed in touch and use one another as a sounding board for both technical and professional questions.

Keep Networking

If you close yourself behind your office doors, you are done! I know a few people that were “raised by wolves” and do things the way they do because that is the way it has always been done.

Listen to all, plucking a feather from every passing goose, but follow no one absolutely. – Chinese proverb

Stay active in the community, whether it is participating in MACURISA, an advisory group like the NJ Geospatial Forum or some of the local technology specific Meetups in your area (I am biased, so here are some of my Philly Favorites; Hacks Hackers, Esri Dev Meetup Group – Northeast, PhillyPUG and Shame on UX). There are a local of good and passionate people attending these meetings and are always willing to talk about their projects and listen to the ideas you have.

Work Hard & Lead by Doing

I will take a person with real world experience over someone with an advanced degree any day of the week. If you don’t know how to do something you have been given, don’t view it as being dealt a shit hand, view it as an opportunity to expand your skill set. That level of effort is apparent and most folks will be more willing to help you.

When it comes right down to it, it is pretty apparent, but something to store away as those internships and jobs start up in a few weeks.

Good Luck!!!

Thank you very much to Erika Owens, Dana Bauer, Sarah Cordavino, Daniel Bergey and Dave Walk

Update: Here is a quick mosaic on Map Knitter

Image Credits: Daniel Bergey and Dana Bauer

A picture from this morning’s balloon flight.

Sarah looking at the camera rig

Mia watching the balloon gain some altitude

Image Source: Good Fucking Design Advice

Update: Here is a family friendly version

#ifihadglass I’d work w/ partner agencies & the public to collect better info and respond to disasters like Hurricane Sandy more effectively

We were looking back at Hurricane Sandy and trying to think about what worked, what didn’t and what we could be doing better. One thing that came up repeatedly was collecting real/near time data from people in the field. Whether they are law enforcement or public safety personnel or people in need of help. Coming up with a way to allow folks to focus on the task at hand but still act as sensors would provide an opportunity to collect a lot of meaningful information.

Last night I got this:

Hi! Thanks for applying. We’d like to invite you to join our #glassexplorers program. We’ll be sending you a private message with more details in the coming weeks — keep an eye on our stream at Project Glass.

I know views about the Glass project are on both sides (Yeah & Glassholes) of the fence, but I am pretty excited to be able to try this technology.

Pretty excited to announce a Balloon Mapping Workshop through the Hacks  Hackers Philadelphia group during Philly Tech Week.

It will be a full day workshop and there will be a cost of $10/person for the event. Registration opens on April 1st, here is the registration page and full details on the event.

Image of Atlantic City from the flight at MACURISA

Get more information on balloon mapping and possible uses in the Public Laboratory for Open Technology and Science Balloon & Kite Mapping tool section.

• how you are using map services
• what projections you are using
• what data sets you would like to see made available from NJOGIS as map services

NJOGIS has published a survey that will be open until April 5th, it shouldn’t take you more than five minutes and we would really appreciate the feedback.

Below are links to some of the resources discussed during the presentation and in open conversation:

• GeoIQ – Social Media Streaming Analytics Video
• TweetGrid
• Trendsmap
• Esri’s GeoEvent Server for ArcGIS
• National UFO Reporting Center
• UFO Sightings Fusion Table
• If This Than That
• IM Socio
• Public Laboratory for Open Technology and Science (PLOTS)
• PLOTS Balloon Mapping
• NJ’s ArcGIS Online Organization

Now for a few class notes/updates:

• We will have the final exam in the regular class time on May 2nd with a review on 4/30. Come with your questions.
• Check the class schedule. There have been a number of changes, including having classes on 4/23 & 4/25. Given the shift of the final exam and items we still need to cover, we need those classes.
• NJDEP has announced the 26th Annual Mapping Contest, it is open to all state, federal, municipal, county, non-profit, and student GIS users are encouraged to attend and participate.
• I’ll have the grades from the first assignment and pop-quiz posted before class tomorrow night.
• The NJ Office of Homeland Security & Preparedness has internship opportunities this summer, deadline for submission is April 1st and you HAVE to be able to pass a background check.

See you all tomorrow evening.