New Web Site Provides Wealth of Information

Redlands, California - ESRI today announced the launch of GIS.com, an educational site and jumping station for anyone interested in mapping and geographic information system (GIS) technology. With its wealth of information and resources, GIS.com aims to become the Internet source for those interested in GIS as a technology and a profession.

“Geographic knowledge and the use of GIS technology is changing the way we understand our world, and it is benefiting businesses and people every day,” says Jack Dangermond, president, ESRI. “I believe GIS.com is a valuable way to reach people and share information and resources. The recent boom in GIS use is spurring even greater acceptance of the technology, and by developing a comprehensive Web site for all types of users, we believe we can continue to better serve anyone who wants to learn more about GIS online.”

GIS.com has information for everyone, regardless of their knowledge of GIS. Those new to the technology can find information on what GIS is and how it can be used. Novice users will find a number of resources to help them master the technology. GIS professionals will find many resources to assist in their system development and project plans.

The need for this one-stop source of information and resources has come from the exponential growth in GIS technology over the last few decades. In the early 1980s, there were several hundred people using GIS technology. Today there are more than two million GIS users worldwide, and by the end of this decade there will be tens of millions.

This growth can be attributed to improvements in computing power, databases, measuring technologies, and GIS software. The biggest change has been in networking technologies-the Internet in particular. What’s emerging is a societal GIS, an electronic web of geographic information that anyone can access.

GIS.com has a mix of editorial content, educational resources, online resources, and materials available for purchase. Major sections of the site include GIS technology and application discussions, software explanations from a variety of vendors, GIS case studies for various industries, a virtual library, data resources, an area to try GIS, and more.

Once painstakingly produced by mechanical means, detailed maps can now be generated on demand from huge databases of spatial information and transmitted instantly around the globe. Suddenly GIS, until recently a specialized tool of scientists and city planners, is dispensing all manner of geographic information to an enthusiastic audience. GIS.com will lead the way in providing the information, technology, and data necessary to serve this audience.

The convergence of GIS and the Internet has changed mapmaking forever.