We invite YOU to meet the GeoCommunity and SpatialNews editor, contact him, submit articles for inclusion on our site, plus much more! Every day (almost!) the Editor features a "Useful" site. This resource is featured in our industry leading daily NewsWire publication. Suggestions are always welcome... please submit your useful site suggestion to editor@geocomm.com.

Useful Sites - 2003 April NGB CD DMS Portal Web Client - The GIDB Portal is developed by the Digital Mapping, Charting & Geodesy Analysis Program (DMAP) Team at the Naval Research Laboratory located at Stennis Space Center, MS The GIDB Portal is a server that keeps track of what mapping data sources are available, along with the connection information necessary to connect to the data sources. The latest version of the Thin Client is now far more robust, easier to use and now accesses nearly double (81 vs. 42 servers; over 350 different services) the amount of data, services and sites from the last release. (April 9, 2003) Recursos GIS SIG - Gabriel Ortiz has developed a very useful GIS resource for the Spanish GIS Community. This personal site was developed in order to provide high quality contents related with GIS technology to the Spanish and latin-american community (all for free). Gabriel Ortiz is a GIS consultant from Spain and works at the Centro de Investigación del Medio Ambiente of the Gobierno de Cantabria (northern Spain). (April 8, 2003) CDC Injury Maps - Injury Maps, CDC Injury Center's interactive mapping system, gives you access to the geographic distribution of injury-related mortality rates in the the United States. Injury Maps allows you to create county-level and state-level maps of age-adjusted mortality rates for the entire United States and for individual states. (April 7, 2003) New York Public Library Maps - Established in 1898, the Map Division today holds some 405,000 maps, 18,000 atlases and books about cartography. The collection is international in scope, and dates from the 16th century to the present Collections include New York city maps, Computer Mapping, and Iraq & The Middle East. (April 4, 2003) Web Services and Service-Oriented Architectures - an interesting and information-rich site. This site will help visitors get started with Web services and service-oriented architectures. It features articles, product listings, and services that can be used to develop a service-oriented architecture. (April 3, 2003) UNEP Arctic Environmental Atlas - This interactive map service presents environmental variables and parameters on the environment in the Arctic region. Data has been collected from a variety of data sources (mostly global datasets) and prepared for the polar view The service has been developed by UNEP/GRID-Arendal, a the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) environmental data and information centre. (April 2, 2003) Nevada Biodiversity Atlas - The NBI was developed to help partner agencies develop land management practices that allow for the conservation of biodiversity, maintenance of ecological integrity and continued economic viability The NEW Mountain Atlas is an interactive Web application that provides data on plant, animal, and sensitive species in Nevada's mountain ranges (April 1, 2003) March Where Are We NZ? - This Kiwi-based interactive mapping site enables users to generate custom online maps, directions, a nd other useful graphics. you can even calculate how far it is to the nearest pub! Powered by iMapping Ltd and Eagle Technology. (Mar 31, 2003) The Glacier Atlas of Canada - The Glacier Atlas of Canada is a collection of maps produced as part of the Canadian Glacier Inventory Project. This project was initiated as part of Canada's contribution to the International Hydrological Decade, 1965-1974. (Mar 28, 2003) NCEES - The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying develops licensing examinations for the engineering and land surveying professions. These examinations are used by engineering and land surveying licensing boards across the U.S. as part of their candidate assessment process. NCEES provides examination scoring services and offers exam administration services to all U.S. engineering and land surveying licensing boards. (Mar 27, 2003) Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering - The home of undergraduate or graduate studies in geodesy and geomatics engineering at UNB, Canada. Visitors will find access to reports, ppublications, and course information and offerings. Bes ure to check out the "hotlist". (Mar 26, 2003) BuzzSaw - The Autodesk® Buzzsaw™ online collaboration and project management service offers more team productivity, profitability, and project control through all phases of the building lifecycle. Simply establish an account, upload you data, invite participants, collaborate & share data and project information. (Mar 25, 2003) GeoFlash Map Gallery - GIS-based Macromedia Flash technology. GeoFlash translates a standard Map in popular GIS Format to a complete system in Flash vector compact form. A Map Server is not required to publish medium to small size maps. In addition the new System has most of the characteristics of an expensive desktop system like zoom, search, layers, thematic analyses, query, etc. Browse the gallery for some interesting examples using this technology. (Mar 24, 2003) Maps and Geography from National Geographic - shop for maps, globes, atlases, and much more. They also provide a newsletter devoted to maps and feature a map of the week. The search for a map utility is very useful to quickly access what you need. this is a very handy resource for students requiring facts and outline maps for projects. (Mar 21, 2003) Dale Coffing's Pocket PC Passion - A decent resource for anyone interested in the Pocket PC PDA platform. News, articles, reviews, discussions etc... A fine example of how one guy can develop a very popular web-based resource & community. (Mar 20, 2003) NOAA Satellite Services Division - The Satellite Services Division of the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) provides real time access to satellite data and products for the public and government. Make sure you check out the image of the day while your there! (Mar 19, 2003) SI@M Environmental Information System - The environmental information system of Vitoria-Gasteiz. SIAM consists of an environmental database, GIS, environmental atlas, and telematics access. Since the SIAM was initiated, the possibility of territorial analysis offered by the SIAM has led to municipal planning surveys in widely differing fields: the planning of agricultural and forestry areas, planning the urban centre of Vitoria-Gasteiz, the development of its Green Ring, the siting of new infrastructures. Thanks to project coordinator Juan C. Escudero for the information! (Mar 18, 2003) OSI - Ordnance Survey Ireland - Our mission is excellence in providing quality mapping and geographic information services to meet society's needs, and our mandate from the Government of Ireland describes how we achieve this. OSI produces a range of tourist and leisure maps, guides, and atlases. Be sure to also check out their services for GPS users. (Mar 17, 2003) Stats. Canada 2001 Census - On May 15, 2001, Statistics Canada conducted the Census of Population and the Census of Agriculture to develop a statistical portrait of Canada and its people. Visitors to this site will have access to the data from this project. Make sure you also consult the Daily for data updates. (Mar 14, 2003) AUSPOS - This is a free online GPS processing service which automatically computes accurate co-ordinates to international standards from GPS data files submitted over the Internet. This service takes advantage of both the IGS product range and the IGS GPS network and works with data collected anywhere on Earth (Mar 13, 2003) USGS maps of Antarctica - Did you know... A team of geodetic scientists from the USGS repositions the South Pole marker – an eight-foot long pole with a brass plaque – annually around New Year’s Day. Then, at the height of the Antarctic summer, polar temperatures may soar to -10 degrees F. Though it has little importance for science or surveying purposes, repositioning the South Pole has a symbolic significance for the small community of astrological, meteorological, and glaciological scientists working at South Pole Station, and possibly for armchair geographers the world over. For USGS maps of Antarctica visit the Atlas of Antarctic Research (Mar 12, 2003) St. Louis Safe City - - The Safe City website enables the public and police commanders to map incidents of crime and calls for service throughout Metropolitan St. Louis. (There is a secure component for police only.) Each mapped crime yields a thumbnail report and case number. Beyond illustrating the occurence of crime or calls for service, the system enhances communications between law enforcement and the community, provides law enforcement with a rapid tool to analyze crime statistics, and supports better allocation of police resources to problem areas. (Mar 11, 2003) Nevada Biodiversity Atlas - - An interactive ArcIMS powered mapping tool from the Biological Resources Center. The Biological Resources Research Center (BRRC) was established in 1992 to conduct scientific research and planning efforts necessary to preserve the distinct biotic diversity of Nevada while simultaneously providing for economic viability and other needs of its citizens. (Mar 10, 2003) Chesapeake Bay Atlas - - This data visualization tool was developed for exploring GIS data in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. A primary goal of the CBP is to restore bay habitat by reducing nutrient and sediment loads. The data viewer has a variety of data including water quality, toxics, nutrient point sources, modeled nitrogen delivery, wetlands, landcover and more. (Mar 7, 2003) NIMA Special Reference Graphics - - NIMA has produced special reference graphics of Baghdad, Iraq and the Middle East. These unclassified products are suitable for reference only and should not be used for any other purpose. This page has electronic versions for immediate download as well the points of contact for ordering the printed reference graphics. These graphics were intended to be print products and are very large files Available for download in JPEG, TIF, or MrSID formats. (Mar 6, 2003) GITA - - GITA is the association for AM/FM/GIS professionals in the world. This gives you access to great resources designed specifically for your needs. GITA provides an excellent forum for networking with your peers and accessing valuable information and resources. (Mar 4, 2003) February GeoGratis - - GeoGratis is a web and file transfer protocol (ftp) site that distributes geospatial data of Canada. Data is available for download, without charge. Vector mapping data is available in scales ranging from 1:50 000 to 1:30 000 000 in a variety of file formats... this is one of my personal favorites! (Feb. 28, 2003) January geo-publishing.org - Geo-publishing.org is a resource site for anyone interested in publishing or disseminating geographical material. It is designed to illustrate how the publishing process works and to answer any questions you might have about writing and publishing your work. Users will also find numerous links to useful related resources. (Jan 23, 2003)

The Atlas of Canada - The Atlas of Canada provides authoritative, current and accessible geographic information products at a national level. Working with partners, the Atlas facilitates the integration and analysis of diverse data in order to increase overall knowledge about Canada. The Atlas originated as a print publication in 1906 and evolved to a web-based interface in 1998. (Jan 22, 2003)

The Map Place (BC, Canada) - Create your own maps using interactive data sets (Mapguide plugin required). Create reports from selected themes and objects. With EXPLORATION ASSISTANT, users can search by: Mineral Potential TRACTS MINFILE, GEOLOGY, CLAIMS, REGIONAL GEOCHEMISTRY. Links and loads of downloadable data are provided. for some nifty earthquake hazard maps (produced by yours truly several years ago!) Click Here (Jan 21, 2003)

Library of Congress Map Collections - From the website... The Geography and Map Division of the Library of Congress holds more than 4.5 million items, of which Map Collections represents only a small fraction, those that have been converted to digital form. The focus of Map Collections is Americana and Cartographic Treasures of the Library of Congress. These images were created from maps and atlases and, in general, are restricted to items that are not covered by copyright protection. This is a "must bookmark" for any map collector. (Jan 20, 2003)

USGS EarthExplorer - Query and order satellite images, aerial photographs, and cartographic products through the U.S. Geological. The Department of Defense has released to the public a second set of formerly classified satellite imagery, flown between 1963 and 1980. Approximately 45,000 black and white images from Declassified Satellite Imagery-2 and are now available for sale from USGS EROS Data Center through Earth Explorer. (Jan 17, 2003)

Geoscience Australia "Sentinel" - Recently, one of the USGS Rocky Mountain Mapping Center geographers, John Guthrie, traveled to Australia to work with the CSIRO Land and Water staff and others on development of a wildfire mapping resource for Australia called "Sentinel." You can now view the results at this site. The collaborators on Sentinel are Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation, geosciene Australia, NASA, the University of Maryland Department of Geography, MODIS Land Rapid Response System, and the USGS. According to sources, the site received more than 100,000 hits on the first day. Thanks to J. Kerski for bringing this site to my attention! (Jan 16, 2003)

Fancyapint? - This site is cool, useful, and even serves up some nice maps! This London-based site enables users to locate a pub from an extensive database. Complete descriptions, comments, images, and most important... maps and directions are provided to some of Britain's most noteworthy watering holes. Since I'll be there in a couple of weeks this site may prove to be very useful... Cheers! (Jan 15, 2003)

The World Wide Web Consortium - The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) develops interoperable technologies (specifications, guidelines, software, and tools) to lead the Web to its full potential. W3C is a forum for information, commerce, communication, and collective understanding. The World Wide Web Consortium was created in October 1994 to lead the World Wide Web to its full potential by developing common protocols that promote its evolution and ensure its interoperability. (Jan 14, 2003)

Lewis and Clark Expedition and the USGS - The Lewis and Clark Expedition was the first of many government surveys of natural resources in the American West. In 1879, four such surveys were combined into a new agency called the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). During the 3-year bicentennial commemoration of Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery (1804-06) that starts this month (January 14, 2003 at Monticello in Charlottesville, VA), the USGS will bring the natural science of Lewis and Clark's time and the science of today to the public. (Jan 13, 2003)

Lewis & Clark.org - View maps of the trail or browse the contents of Discovering Lewis & Clark™ through the “Discovery Paths” and “Journal Excerpts ”. This is just one of many popular sites dedicated to preserving the legacy of the expedition. (Jan 10, 2003)

NOAA Home Page for Satellites - NOAA's operational environmental satellite system is composed of: geostationary operational environmental satellites (GOES) for short-range warning and "nowcasting," and polar-orbiting environmental satellites (POES) for longer term forecasting. Both kinds of satellites are necessary for providing a complete global weather monitoring system. Stay abreast of the latest developments at this site and be sure to check out the 3D weather images! (Jan 9, 2003)

American Congress on Surveying and Mapping - ACSM is incorporated as a non-profit educational organization. The society is made up of four member organizations, which serve as special interest groups. Together they cover a full range of disciplines in the spatial data information field. The American Association for Geodetic Surveying - AAGS; The Cartography and Geographic Information Society - CAGIS; The Geographic and Land Information Society - GLIS; The National Society of Professional Surveyors, Inc. - NSPS. ACSM's members include more than 7,000 surveyors, cartographers, geodesists, and other spatial data information professionals working in both public and private sectors throughout the world. (Jan 8, 2003)

UCR Extension GIS Program - The courses in this intensive program provide a thorough introduction to the principles, concepts, applications, and technologies of GIS management GIS Summer School 2003 is planned for June 30-August 29. Participants may earn the award-winning Certificate in GIS in just two months. During the GIS Summer School attendees receive instruction in the entire certificate program curriculum. The program is comprised of 10 individual courses. Participants can take all courses (full bundle), or as many courses as desired. Contact Sciences@ucx.ucr.edu for more information. (Jan 7, 2003)

Geography Network Canada - The Geography Network Canada, from ESRI, is an online resource for finding and sharing geographic content, including maps and data, from many of Canada's leading providers. Like it's parent, the Geography Network, users of this resource can access content including live maps, downloadable data, and more advanced services. (Jan 6, 2003)

Terraserver - Terraserver.com is the world-wide source of the finest satellite imagery and aerial photography for people of all walks of life. The Value of Terraserver This web site provides a subscription-based tool to satisfy a wide variety of mapping needs from environmental changes to mapping. Terraserver allows you to select and print high-resolution images sized as small as 1.96 square kilometers Imagery is available for more than 56 countries! (Jan 2, 2003) For more, see the 2002 picks of the week