M81 Galaxy as seen from Hubble

Source: Hubblesite.org

The changing world of cartography and GIS

Are you confused and overwhelmed when it comes to digital mapping tools and technology? Don't worry you are not alone! This area of expertise has mushroomed in recent years, providing multiple options to get the job done.

Like many disciplines, cartography - the art and science of creating geographical maps, has changed rapidly with the advance of the world wide web and digitization of information. Gadgets once reserved for science fiction fans are now common place approaches for solving problems.

To help guide you to the resources that best matches your project needs consider these questions first. I want to:

1. find maps

• from particular agencies
• around a particular theme
• from certain geographic areas
  

2. create maps

• on my own
• with other people
  

3. find information to add to a map

• from the province of BC
• from the federal government
• from a local government
• from public warehouses
  

4. analyze spatial information

• using the most economical tools available
  
• using the most sophisticated tools available

5. find someone to help me with my mapping needs

• without paying for the service
• by paying for this service
  

Many tools and resources available will provide help on several of the above but these questions will help with the planning process to get started. Like everything, time and resources are of the essence, so it's good practice to determine who is going to do what and how much time and money is available for those tasks.


Google Earth is considered an earth browser as in you can search geographically referenced information via the Google Earth interface the same way you use an internet browser to search for information stored digitally on the web.
Download and learn how to use Google Earth

Google Docs as a form and database management system

There are many online services that provide the functionality to collect/organize/query information. Even though they go by different names and functionality they more or less provide the same service, that being to:
1. collect information over the web via a live link embedded in a site or emailed
2. provide a form to ease the entering of information from multiple users
3. organize the information in a spreadsheet housed on the service provider's web server
4. permission based access to view/edit/download the information

Examples include Survey Monkey, Wufoo Forms and Google Docs and there are many others. Differences might include limitations on space allocations, # of forms, etc. before being bumped out of the free level to various paying levels. So far the best bang for the buck appears to be Google Docs.

Google Docs:
size limitations

Great intro articles to get started with web mapping tools

A Nonprofit's Introduction to Google's Online Mapping Tools: How to use Google Maps and Google Earth for outreach and advocacy

Geo Strategies for Non-profits

Which Google tool to use?

Maps (free)
Earth (free)
Earth Pro ($400./yr)

• high-resolution printing
• email support
  
• most comprehensive geospatial database
• movie maker
  
• Import and style GIS data
• Measure area and radius

Enterprize

• designed to handle extremely large data volumes
• can run completely disconnected from the public internet
• server can be secured so that only authorized users can access your data
• providing an easy-to-access library of your GIS data

Sketchup (free)

• create, share and present 3-D models

Sketchup Pro

• generate tabular reports
• LayOut for flexible 2D presentations
• Create your own styles using the Style Builder

Maps API (free)

• embed Google Maps in your own web pages with JavaScript, Flash, and Static

Maps API Premier

• create maps that will not be shared on a public domain

Not-for-profit free access to Earth Pro, Sketchup Pro and Maps Api Primier http://earth.google.com/outreach/program_details.html

How to create a map using Google map or earth

If you would like to embed the finished map into a web application use Google Map:

1. create an account or log on
2. my maps
3. create new map/title/description
4. zoom to area of interest
5. add placemark icon
6. drag placemark exactly where you want it
7. type in the title
8. type in the description (i.e. story) or copy and paste from existing text
9. toggle map/satellite/terrain view
10. done
11. share with others: link/customize and preview embedded map/copy and paste the html to another web application or send the email link to someone
12. I recommend to watch a 3 minute video on how to create a map: http://maps.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=67842

Pros:

• can embed html into other websites to view map and placemarks, zoom, pan or go to main google map site
• can import kml files
  

Cons:

• cannot export as a static jpeg
• unique features as, kml files, must be stored on a public server for everyone to access
  

If you do not need to embed try Google earth:

1. zoom to area of interest
2. File menu/Add/placemark
3. drag placemark exactly where you want it
4. type in the name
5. type in the description (i.e. story) or copy and paste from existing text or add a url that links directly to a web page
6. repeat for each story and location
7. share with others several ways by choosing email the placemark/view/image to individuals or share/post with the general public

Pros:

• can export as a jpeg
• can import kml files
  

Cons:

That's the basics...pretty darn friendly. Do more by simply exploring the menus and buttons...there's not alot of options but the options are available are useful and easy to learn

Citizen Science toolkit

Excellent resource for everything you need to create a Citizen science project, including links to tools

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/citscitoolkit/toolkit