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GIS Day around the web
I've been wondering what the GIS community in general thinks about GIS Day. In my search for an answer I sent a request for info
to the GeoCommunity website's visitors as well as the members of a couple of well known GIS discussion lists.
My intent was to solicit a response from non-ESRI users in order to determine their feelings.
It's quite obvious though, that the ESRI users are the vocal ones. Here are my findings.
First, let me restate my original question.
I'm Curious! - Another GIS Day has come and gone. Once again it looks like thousands
(perhaps millions of people) have been introduced to GIS. As most of you are well aware, the idea for
GIS Day was conceived and implemented by ESRI and ESRI strategic partners. So, as a non-ESRI user, what are
your thoughts about GIS Day... perhaps a more accurate name for the event would be ESRI day.
My intent here was to try and solicit feedback from some non-ESRI users. I did this because after all, the event is called GIS
Day and thus should involve all GIS users regardless of software preference. As usual, I received a large number of very informative and detailed
replies, most of which were very positive and praised the event. Even though the question was directed mainly at the non-ESRI crowd,
it seemed that the majority of people responding were from the ESRI camp... not surprising considering the large marketshare
that ESRI boasts. I received several "what is GIS Day?" replies, several "...this was an ESRI marketing promo" replies
and a number of "why are you giving ESRI a hard time for doing such a wonderful thing" replies. Overall,
It was never my intention to bash ESRI, although some people feel I was.
I think the majority feel that GIS Day accomplishes what it was meant to do... it educates the population about GIS and gives
us a platform to share our success stories.
It just so happens that ESRI thought of promoting it this way first!
You can read all of the replies here
Glenn's Comments
Overall I have to say the responses were pretty much what I expected. It would be great to hear from some Intergraph, MapInfo, SmallWorld, and Autodesk folks (users, staff, and management) to get their take on the subject... hint!!
I guess since I started the discussion I should offer up some of my feelings. For those of you that have been visiting the GeoCommunity
and reading SpatialNews for some time, you're likely aware that I gave the first GIS Day some pretty heavy attention. I thought
the idea was fantastic and I was excited to see the results of the first event.
I've never been a heavy proponent of any one product or software platform, this due to my consulting history
that enabled me to become a proficient user of a number of popular GIS products.
The basic premis of GIS Day was exactly what
I think the GeoCommunity is about and the idea complimented the strong educational focus that I like to think the GeoCommunity
brings to the GIS community. But when I think about the name, GIS Day, it implies a day to celebrate and discuss the endless possibilities
made possible by GIS. It definitely accomplishes that, however, there's one problem... GIS Day participants are presented with
ESRI solutions. I'm sure that ESRI would love to see some of the other vendors come aboard and promote GIS Day but when you see
who's driving the bus is that really a likely scenario? Until that time I still think that ESRI Day would be a more
accurate name for the event. Here's a comment from an individual who shares a similar idea:
"...Suppose there was a "Statistics Day" put on by SAS, and then all one saw
was SAS and SAS and SAS, the statistics community would just laugh out loud,
even the inveterate SAS users"
I don't think this topic is anything to laugh about, and anything to do with GIS and education
is always taken very seriously by myself and the GeoCommunity.
I appreciate all the feedback that has come in relating to this discussion. In order to be fair to everyone involved,
I've posted most of the feedback I received. The names of authors have been removed to protect those who whish to remain anonymous. Kudos to Amy Thorson (GIS Day coordinator), ESRI,
National Geographic, USGS, AAG, UCGIS, and the Library of Congress for organizing such a fantastic event.
Proceed to Discussion Board and View The Feedback
Please post your 2 cents worth as well
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