Fun Fact Friday- Geospatial Revolution

We love love what we do here at Geoculture. We have so much variety and we have the opportunity to meet so many interesting people as clients and colleagues in our geospatial and GIS world. We are also exposed to so many innovative and groundbreaking projects that other GIS and geospatial companies are involved in or specialize in. Each geospatial and GIS project is unique, even if there are common themes and goals.  Geospatial data and GIS is increasingly becoming a more commonplace tool to help solve a variety of worldwide issues from helping a person on the street look for an address in an unfamiliar location to assisting in delivering aid to natural and man made disasters. Geospatial data and GIS is only at its beginning, future endeavors are limitless  iwithout boundaries.

Here’s a great video clip series produced by the Penn State University extolling the virtues of GIS. This four part series is called “Geospatial Revolution.” And what a revolution it is! Click on the logo below to access the series. Happy Fun Fact Friday, everyone!

Fun Fact Friday: We are hiring!

Hi everyone! On Fridays, Amy and I typically write about something fun that is factual (Fun Fact Friday) but today I am writing to announce that we are hiring for… wait for it… a Social Media Officer! We are trying to expand our reach in the digital world and we need someone who 1) has a passion for social media, 2) knows at least the basics for GIS and, 3) is fun and innovative. If you think you fit these criterion, send us your resume and cover letter at geocultureconsulting@gmail.com.

Or if you are simply just curious about social media, watch the video below!

*** Please note that this is a class assignment and not a real job posting. Please do not send your email or cover letter to the email address above. Cheers!

It’s Finally Here! We are proud to present: GeoFam!

Today is the day that Geoculture Consulting and Ancestry.ca can proudly announce the launch of our new app GeoFam! GeoFam is an app that allows you to track your ancestor’s migratory movements based on how much data has been added to the  Ancestry.ca database.  This wonderful app that we have been working on is a little out of Geoculture’s niche but when Ancestry.ca approached us, there was no saying no! GeoFam allows for traditional ancestry discovery, yet it is enhanced with Geospatial science that allows for a more visual representation of human migratory patterns and events. 

Features include:

• View migratory movement of family and general demographics
•  View migratory methods
• View  global weather patterns and natural disasters over the past 300 years!
• View global disease epidemics over the past 4oo years!
• View military and political events over the past 400 years!
• View population increases/decreases!
• Weekly case studies explore one family’s history a week!
• Index of family names and name changes
• Recommended reading lists on historical subjects

We hope you check out our app! It’s only $2.99 and is currently available for download from the Google Play Store. Let us know what you think!!!

***Please note that this is part of a class assignment. GeoFam is not a real app that we’ve created, Geoculture Consulting is not a real company, and are thus not partnered with Ancestry.ca. Thank you.

Geowhat Data?

What is geospatial data?

This is a really good question. In a nutshell, it connecting data collected from various geographic resources that have location coordinates and topology that is connected to a particular geographic area. The raw data is then catalogued, analyzed, manipulated and organized to the users’ needs. The processing of this raw data is usually done with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) methods, techniques and technology. Data is then mapped into various layer upon layer. The more layer of data, the more detailed and intricate the organization of data is. GIS assists in interpretation, access and manipulation of raw data. It is “mapping” out the data to be used for whatever the users’ analytical needs are. Raw data is does not have much value, without putting it into context. When you map out raw data, it is easier to see patterns and trends, which puts it into a more useful context. It helps users see what their potential research challenges, issues are and it assists in resolution of these issues by manipulating data without real time consequences.

There are many GIS software and programs that provide GIS capabilities called Desktop GIS, which is usually open source such as Google Earth. Google Earth is not the only open source available; however it is the most widely access and recognized program. There are many commercial GIS software such as ESRI and a more advanced subscription of Google Earth that many companies use in combination with other paid software packages and open source. There are also Web map servers, which are

Geospatial data is used by many different organizations of various sizes, but geospatial data is also used personally too. For example, GPS system built or plugged into a car, a distance tracker for sports such as running, skiing, hiking and cellphones is a geospatial data network of information designed and programmed for a specific use.

So that’s the most simplified description of geospatial data that I can think of, without getting lost in the technical and programming details of it. Please check back to this blog on Fridays for more examples of how geospatial data is used and what other online resources are available to check out what geospatial data is.

Fun Fact Friday: “The Father of GIS”

Roger Tomlinson created geographic information system technology  in the late 1960s.  The “Father of GIS” wanted to map not only the physical characteristics of the land, but also the population patterns and migration patterns of humans and animals in a digital format that allows for the vast storage of geographical data. Having the information stored digitally allows for user-friendly searching and graphic displaying which renders the data easy to analyze because it has been organized for the reader’s benefit.

“Geography really matters in human decision making. Geography is a set of fundamental skills we must embed in our young people.” – Roger Tomlinson

Meet the Team!

Hi Everyone!

We are so excited  to have access to a platform that allows us to connect with you on such a personal level. Sometimes when people hear the words GIS or information management they think of computers and not of people. So why don’t we introduce ourselves to you so you know the people behind Geoculture Consulting!

Geoculture Consulting was the brain child of our co-founder Amy Wong and was inspired by the Geospatial Data course she was taking at the time. Amy is currently working on her Masters in Information and Library Science (M.L.I.S.) at the University of Western Ontario and is expected to graduate in 2014. Amy has a strong background in library and technology settings, having set her foundation at the Edmonton Public Library for nearly a decade. There she performed various tasks as a Library Assistant and Information Technician while taking part in various committees that explored experimental avenues. Amy has a strong interest in technology; academic, public and digital libraries, as well as, community development.

Geoculture Consulting’s other co-founder is Jen Griesbach (that’s me). I also attend the University of Western Ontario as an M.L.I.S. candidate and I am expected to graduate in 2014.  Like Amy, I have an extensive background in library and information settings. For nearly a decade, I have worked in various positions at the Guelph Public Library such as Children’s Clerk, Library Assistant and Discovery Portal Assistant. I have focused my studies in community development, social justice, and marketing within public libraries.

We are currently working on expanding our staff size, as we are in the preliminary stages of our developmental process, but in the meantime, I hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know us a little better! Amy and I are open books so please feel free to ask us any questions or concerns you may have.