Product Overview: GeoIQ - Making Your Maps Smarter and Better Looking Too: 12-19-2006

GeoIQ is an open platform that allows you to create applications integrating your data and other folks' data using Google Maps and Microsoft Visual Earth APIs. This combination provides not only interesting visualizations, it also allows for fairly complex analysis in an easy-to-use interface. GeoIQ operates as a Web service; the API lets you configure its usage, the data sources and the level of analysis. Hal Reid provides an overview.

Product Overview – Free Plug-in for MS Outlook from CMC International: 04-19-2006

This free plug-in from CMC International creates Google Maps of individual contact addresses from within Microsoft Outlook. (It has a catchy name, too: "Google Maps plug-in for Outlook.") What makes this product interesting is that it is an advertising vehicle that promotes ESRI’s BusinessMAP. Providing free, useful products is nothing new to the advertising world, but this seems like a fairly new twist in the GIS industry.

Product Overview: Profi$ite – Online Sales Forecasting: 04-18-2006

Sales forecasting models are among the most interesting applications of technology in retail development. The models quantify the nature and value of a location, summarize the location’s surrounding market or trade area, and provide a view of the future. This product overview describes a new Web-based offering from Proxix, Profi$ite.

Editor Hal Reid interviewed Antti Korhonen, President and CEO of Ekahau, Inc. Hal discovered a series of products and technologies that address the “where is it and where are they” problem in elegant ways. Ekahau’s products address the need to track assets and people.

Alteryx – A Visual Workflow Tool for Data Transformation: 03-14-2006

When it comes to data manipulation, most people still use Microsoft Excel. Everybody has it; most people can use it; therefore its limitations may be more readily accepted. SRC has developed a data manipulation product that is more focused on spatial data, large data sets and speed in creating data transforms. Hal Reid provides an overview.

Product Review – Pharos Traveler GPS 525 Personal Navigation Device: 03-14-2006

For the past month, Hal Reid has been using the Pharos Traveler GPS 525 personal navigation PDA. It has been to Nashville, Auburn University (Alabama) twice, Georgia Tech (Atlanta), Ft. Steward (Georgia) and various other places around central Georgia. He now has to admit that although at first he questioned the validity of owning such a device, he is now a believer.

Product Overview: Laser-Scan's Radius Studio: 02-07-2006

There is a perpetual quest to "catch the wave" when marketing a new product. The quest is to be on the leading edge of demand, riding the wave of acceptance that is just beginning to crest. Everyone tries to do this, but not everyone succeeds. The recent release of Radius Studio on January 25 could hit the wave just right.

Product Overview: Matrox DualHead2Go: 01-31-2006

Hal Reid, an admitted multiple screen junkie, describes his latest find, the Matrox DualHead2Go. It runs mutliple screens in a variety of configurations.

Product Review of District 8 from GfK Macon AG: 01-27-2006

District 8, a GIS package offered by the German based GfK Macon, is described on its Web site as a “regional planning” based GIS. Although regional planning may mean many things to an American audience, make no mistake, this product is squarely aimed at the business world. This article, by City of Lincoln, Oregon, GIS Coordinator Michael Bishopp, provides a review of the product.

Product Review: Terrain Navigator Pro version 7.01: 01-11-2006

Paul Amos first reviewed Terrain Navigator Pro 6.3 for Directions Magazine in July 2004. Here he offers an update for version 7.01. Terrain Navigator Pro is a software program that provides access to U.S. Geological Survey topographic quadrangle maps and USGS Digital Ortho Quarter Quads. The software allows the user seamless access to the topographic maps across the state or region purchased.

Distributing Drawings and Maps to Users Without Software: 02-18-2005

In the world of CAD, there are people who may need to review drawings, but don't need a copy of MicroStation or AutocCAD. They just want to see the file and make a comment on it via the phone or email - they don't need to mark it up or change it. Bentley has included the ability to write PDF files from MicroStationïƒ’, and added the ability to move both animation and the ability to fly through buildings and over geography within the PDF file.

Product Overview: HP's New DesignJet 4000: 02-18-2005

In January, HP introduced a new large format printer, the HP DesignJet 4000. This product is for GIS, CAD and technical users who need a fast, high-resolution, remotely controlled printer, that supports both single sheet and roll media. Here's a quick look at the new printer.

Product Update Review: Manifold® System Release 6.00 Service Pack 1: 01-15-2005

Paul Amos first reviewed Manifold System 5.00 in September, 2002. Since that time, Manifold has released three subsequent versions (5.50, 6.00 and 6.00 SP1) with additional functionality and bug fixes to the Professional version of the product. Release 5.50 included many internal changes and optimizations to support work with very large components and unlimited size projects.

Directions Magazine Sponsors ESRI 5K: 08-18-2004

GEODiffusion 2003 - GIS in Quebec!: 12-17-2003

Editor-in-Chief Joe Francica traveled to Quebec City to cover this gathering of MapInfo and Korem users as well as other geomatics professional. At the conference, a surprise announcement by MapInfo unveiled Korem, who was celebrating its 10-year anniversary, as the "master distributor" of MapInfo products in the province. Read more...

Positive Disruption, Spreading Business Geographic Wealth: 12-16-2003

Coming soon: BusinessMap and BusinessMap Travel Edition

Directions On GIS Careers: Have We Turned the Corner?: 08-08-2003

Layoffs at United States companies dropped 53 percent in May to 68,623 from 146,399 in April. This is promising news and, hopefully, will signal an upturn in the job market as the war in Iraq is over and as businesses begin a growth cycle with increased hiring. Companies may be ready to hire soon. Are you ready? Here's some sage advice.

Conference Overview: SVG Open Conference Vancouver: 07-26-2003

This is a special report from the SVG Open Conference held in Vancouver British Columbia, Canada during the week of July 14. Contributing columnist, Jon Frost, and expert on SVG technology provides the following report on a specific presentation about SVG in HOMELAND SECURITY and MILITARY APPLICATIONS.

ESRI International User Conference Recap: 07-11-2003

Catch a wrap-up of all the news from the 23rd ESRI International. Over 11,000 attendees were in San Diego this week to hear the latest regarding ArcGIS, web services, and a full slate of application news. Read and see more by going here.

Peter Hillary Delivers Keynote at ESRI Conference: 07-09-2003

Peter Hillary, son of Mt. Everest conqueror Sir Edmund Hillary, and accomplished mountain climber in his own right, was on hand as the keynote speaker to tell of his exploits with cohort Jamaling Norgay, son of his father's original expeditionary partner Tenzing Norgay, as they commemorated the 50th anniversary of their fathers’ historical ascent. Hillary was an animated and passionate speaker as he regaled the audience with tales of his ascent one year ago.

Autodesk Revenues Fall in Q1; SARS Cited for Stifling Sales Activities in Asia/Pacific: 05-22-2003

Autodesk today reported revenues of $210.8 Million, down from $229 Million one year ago. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) was cited for curtailing sales activities in the Asia-Pacific region where sales calls had to be halted altogether in Beijing. Although revenues were down, Carol Bartz stated emphatically that, "It is way, way too early to give up on this year."

Intergraph Continues to Build on Core Technology: 05-21-2003

At the Intergraph User’s Conference, GeoSpatial World, this week in New Orleans, core technological strengths and a desire to serve their existing customers with consistent product improvements were emphasized. Solutions are key to this focused strategy that builds on Intergraph's fundamental belief in their core GeoMedia technology.

Mail-Order company saves $27,000 in one mailing: 05-12-2003

CommunityCartography Releases the New York City (NYC) Property Atlas: 04-28-2003

CommunityCartography has released a thin-client geographic data viewer for the New York City (NYC) Property Atlas. The Property Atlas is an excellent solution for users who want to distribute NYC data to a wide community of users, without having to invest in multiple licenses of full-scale GIS applications.

SPECIAL FEATURE - Stealth Fighters Target Saddam on First Night of War: 04-14-2003

John J. Lumpkin of the Associated Press used IKONOS imagery (see accompanying story on the IKONOS imagery that shows the areas targeted by coalition forces) of the Dora Farm area along the Tigris River in Baghdad to build his story of the war's first night of attacks that targeted Saddam Hussein.

Keynote address by Carol Bartz at Autodesk University: 12-04-2002

At Autodesk University on December 4 at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Carol Bartz delivered the keynote address to attendees. Directions Magazine captured the keynote and we have provided the salient text of her presentation below:

Interview with Michael Hickey, Chief Operation Officer, MapInfo - November 19, 2002: 11-21-2002

This past week, at the MapInfo User's Conference in San Diego, Directions Magazine sat down with Michael Hickey, the Chief Operation Officer for MapInfo. Mr. Hickey's comments provide a great deal of insight into the company's challenges and the strategy.

The Directions staff was roaming the floor of Oracle OpenWorld this week in San Francisco. Here's what we found!

MAPA DE SANEAMIENTO AMBIENTAL: REGISTRO Y ANÁLISIS GEOGRÁFICO DE INCIDENTES AMBIENTALES EN EL YACIMIENTO SIERRA BARROSA - AGUADA TOLEDO EN LA PROVINCIA DEL NEUQUEN - ARGENTINA: 11-10-2002

Comments by Dean Stoecker, president, SRC LLC - October 1, 2002 - Regarding the lawsuit filed against MapInfo Corporation.: 10-01-2002

Comments by Mike Hickey, Chief Operation Officer, MapInfo - October 1, 2002 - Regarding the lawsuit filed agains SRC LLC.: 10-01-2002

Notes from the American Community Survey - August 2002: 08-10-2002

Claritas Helps Jenny Craig Improve Network Rationale: 07-29-2002

MapInfo seeks control of software development for TargetPro: 07-15-2002

A Comprehensive Guide to State and Nationwide GeoData Clearinghouses for the United States: 07-05-2002

SRC parts company with MapInfo on TargetPro: 07-03-2002

The ESRI International User Conference Preview: 07-02-2002

Documents Scanned in Grayscale Look Like a Photograph of the Original: 06-17-2002

Learn to Fail Fast: Effecting Change at the Ordnance Survey: 06-11-2002

Restaurant Uses Claritas’ Analytical Modeling to Expand Into New Markets: 06-04-2002

The Richest Towns in the U.S.: 05-14-2002

An Exclusive Interview with Michael Graff: 05-10-2002

The Geography of Art: Imaging the Abstract with GIS: 06-19-2001

To the Swift, Go the Best Sites: 04-02-2001

Adena Schutzberg, GIS editor at TenLinks.com, talks about Scott's involvement in GIS and the profound impact it made on the current state of the industry.

One of the Early Business Geographers: 01-17-2001

Scott Elliott, founder and publisher of Directions Magazine, passed away on January 10th. Hal Reid reflects on the influence Scott had and the contributions he made to our industry.

The Future of Arcview; Part 2: 08-08-2000

The concluding portion of an interview with the Product Manager for desktop software at ESRI

The Future of ArcView; Part 1: 08-01-2000

An interview with the Product Manager for desktop software at ESRI

Straight Talk from the Top; Part Two: 06-28-2000

ESRI's Director of Products speaks of ArcView 8, ArcExplorer, and more

Adding dimensions to GIS with VRML: 06-05-2000

Contributing Editor Bill Huber's presentation shows how to use the inexpensive and commonly available tools of VRML to create three-dimensional visualizations.

David Maguire is the Director of Products at ESRI; in Part 1 of this two-part series, he speaks about ArcInfo8 and ArcObjects

Linux For Business: It's Not Just For the Closet Anymore: 04-25-2000

Dr. Richard Shepard runs his shop on Linux; here's why.

This 350-module robust GIS toolkit, originally a US Army project, is now developed and distributed by research teams around the world.

What Makes ESRI Software Tick?: 11-22-1999

We interview Clint Brown, Manager of the Software Products Division at ESRI.

A review of LizardTech's MrSID Geospatial Encoder and Earth Resource Mapping's Enhanced Compressed Wavelet Compressor

Bill Huber concludes his three-part series in pursuit of Air Emissions, dealing with issues that are fundamental to the design of any analytical GIS.

Fourier Transforms come into play as Bill Huber pursues Air Emissions. Part two of a three-part series.

The issue addressed in Dr. Huber's series arose from the research of Marc Hoogerwerf at the TNO Institute of Environmental Sciences, Energy Research and Process Innovation

Articles

Features

Powerful web-based application enables assessors to easily identify data inconsistencies and valuation errors

Esri Canada today announced the launch of Assessment Analyst ValueIT, a powerful visualization and analytic application that revolutionizes property assessment by providing clarity and control over the accuracy of assessment values. With AA ValueIT, assessors can confidently determine if assessments meet local or state standards by leveraging the full potential of computer-assisted mass appraisal (CAMA) data within a geographic information system (GIS) environment. The application expands the capabilities of Assessment Analyst®, Esri Canada’s powerful software suite that enhances assessments by geo-enabling property data.

Accurate property assessment values are crucial for ensuring fair taxation and maintaining trust in the assessment process. However, identifying inconsistencies and errors in property valuations has been a persistent challenge. AA ValueIT addresses this issue head-on by offering advanced visualization and analytic tools that enable assessors to pinpoint data inconsistencies and valuation errors with ease.

"We’re excited to introduce AA ValueIT, a game-changer in the property assessment industry," said Brian Smith, industry and product manager, Assessment at Esri Canada. "This application provides assessors with the necessary tools to visualize, analyze and validate assessment values, helping them make informed decisions and achieve fair and accurate property assessments. With AA ValueIT, assessors can now take control of the assessment process like never before."

: AA ValueIT efficiently handles large datasets, saving assessors valuable time. It consolidates data from multiple sources and presents it through an intuitive interface with insightful dashboards, enabling efficient data analysis and informed decision-making.

: By using GIS-based data visualization, AA ValueIT swiftly identifies geographical areas that meet local or state appraisal standards. This feature ensures assessors adhere to regulatory requirements.

: AA ValueIT empowers assessors to isolate individual properties and evaluate their impact on the overall quality of the assessment roll. This in-depth analysis provides valuable insights into specific property valuations, leading to improved accuracy and fairness in assessments.

: AA ValueIT incorporates Esri Canada's lightweight regression model, enabling assessors to identify significant disparities between assessed values and market sales within a specific market. This independent valuation tool contributes to the assurance of precise assessment values.

AA ValueIT is available for implementation at the jurisdiction level, offering seamless integration with existing GIS and CAMA systems. The application is customizable to suit specific requirements, ensuring optimal performance and compatibility with local data standards.

To see AA ValueIT in action, visit booth 121 at the 2023 IAAO Annual Conference (August 27-30 in Salt Lake City, Utah) or contact.

To learn more about Esri Canada’s Assessment Analyst suite, visit esri.ca/assessmentanalyst

Founded in 1984, Esri Canada provides geographic information system (GIS) solutions that empower people in business, government and education to make informed and timely decisions by leveraging the power of mapping and spatial analytics. In 2012, Esri Canada established a property assessment practice focused on enabling fair and equitable mass appraisals, valuations and property assessments using GIS-centric solutions. Assessment organizations turn to Esri Canada’s Assessment team for their unparalleled knowledge and international experience in the application of GIS to solve assessment management business needs. Our team of GIS experts and domain specialists has also developed specific tools and methods to effectively deliver all assessment management protocols compliant with IAAO standards. More information can be found at esri.ca/assessment. Follow Esri Canada Assessment Analyst on LinkedIn.

Esri Canada launches Assessment Analyst ValueIT for accurate property assessment values

Celebrating the nation’s best geography educators of 2017

WASHINGTON D.C.– For over a 100 years the National Council for Geographic Education (NCGE) has worked to enhance the status and quality of geography teaching and learning at all levels of instruction. Through its awards program, NCGE recognizes excellence in geography teaching, mentoring, research, instructional design, and service.

“Each year we are impressed by the level of innovation, quality, and creativity of all our award nominees,” said Mr. Zachary R. Dulli, Chief Executive Officer, National Council for Geographic Education. “Understanding our world is critical to a high-quality education, and these award winners represent the best of the best in providing that to our students.”

Recipients will receive their awards at a special ceremony held during the 2017 National Conference on Geography Education, July 27-July 30 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The National Council for Geographic Education (NCGE) is pleased to announce our 2017 award winners:

THE GEORGE J MILLER AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO GEOGRAPHIC EDUCATION

The Council’s highest award, presented for lifetime service in geographic education

DONALD ZEIGLER, Old Dominion University, Virginia Beach, VA

Presented to college and university professors whose guidance and influence is significant for students becoming geographers or classroom teachers

JOSEPH STOLTMAN, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI

DEREK ALDERMAN, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN

THE BRUNN CREATIVITY AWARD FOR GEOGRAPHY EDUCATION

Presented to K-12 educators who demonstrate innovation and outstanding creativity in the teaching of geography

CHRIS BUNIN, Albemarle High School, Charlottesville, VA

ANDREW DOJACK, William Monroe Middle School, Stanardsville, VA

JULIE STAVITSKI, Jack Jouett Middle School, Charlottesville, VA

OUTSTANDING SUPPORT FOR GEOGRAPHY EDUCATION

Honors individuals who work outside the formal classroom, but have made outstanding contributions to support geography education

PAUL HUNT, University of Nebraska, Omaha, NE

JOYCE YOUNGBLOOD, Mississippi Geographic Alliance, University, MS

NAEEMA AL HOSANI, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE

THE HIGHER EDUCATION DISTINGUISHED TEACHING AWARD

Recognizes and celebrates excellence in higher education geography teaching and leadership

LESLI RAWLINGS, Wayne State College, Wayne, NE

EZRA ZEITLER, University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, WI

FENDA AKIWUMI, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL

CASEY ALLEN, University of Colorado, Denver, CO

“The Instructional Guide for The ArcGIS Book”

KATHRYN KERANEN, James Madison University, Great Falls, VA

LYN MALONE, Worldview GIS, Barrington, RI

Recognizes excellence in geography teaching at the primary and secondary levels

BRIAN DAVIS, Central Middle School, Bartlesville, OK

KYLE TREDINNICK, Omaha Public Schools, Omaha, NE

MARYANN SANSONETTI-WOOD, Spring Valley High School, Columbia, SC

LEAANN WYRICK, Broken Bow Public Schools, Broken Bow, OK

ROBIN MANNING, Jack C. Hays High School, Buda, TX

ROSA CLARA SALAZAR, United High School, Laredo, TX

THE WOMEN IN GEOGRAPHIC EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP

is awarded each year to one exceptional female college or university student enrolled in a program leading to a career in geographic education

REBECCA KRANITZ, University of Montana, Missoula, MT

THE SALVATORE J. NATOLI DISSERTATION AWARD

Awarded to encourage dissertation research in geography teaching and learning

STACEY KERR, Central Michigan University, Pleasant, MI

JOURNAL OF GEOGRAPHY AWARDS BEST SECONDARY TEACHING ARTICLE

“The Nature of Geography and It’s Perspectives in AP Human Geography”

ALEXANDER MURPHY, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR

PHILLIP HARE, A.C. Flora High School, Columbia, SC

“Future Teachers’ Spatial Thinking Skills and Attitudes”

EUIKYUNG SHIN, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL

ANDREW MILSON, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX

THOMAS SMITH, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL

BEST ARTICLE FOR GEOGRAPHY PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

“GIS Teaching Training: Empirically-Based Indicators of Effectiveness”

STEFFEN HOHNLE, University of Erlangen, Nuremberg, Germany

JANIS FOGELE, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany

RAINER MEHREN, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany

JAN CHRISTOPH SCHUBERT, University of Munster, Munster, Germany

THE GEOGRAPHY TEACHER AWARDS BEST CONTENT ARTICLE

“Red Rural, Blue Rural: The Geography of Presidential Voting in Rural America”

DANTE SCALA, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH

KENNETH JOHNSON, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH

“Traveling With Eighth-Grade Students to Learn About State and Local History”

RONALD MORRIS, Ball State University, Muncie, IN

For more information about the NCGE award program and application process visit www.ncge.org/awards

ABOUT THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR GEOGRAPHIC EDUCATION:

The National Council for Geographic (NCGE) Education is a nonprofit membership organization that works to strengthen the quality and effectiveness of geography teaching and learning. NCGE provides a global forum for educators of all levels to exchange ideas and engage in professional learning opportunities to improve their geography teaching practice. We provide the organizational structure needed to advance research in geography education. We publish journals, the National Geography Standards, and a variety of materials for diffusing research and best practices on geography education. We recognize exceptional educators and supporters in geography education. We lead and support a variety of educational and creative programs to support our members and advance global literacy.

The National Council for Geographic Education Recognizes the Best and Brightest in Geography Education

Synthicity has released a free public beta version of GeoCanvas, its 3D spatial data visualization tool. The software provides a streamlined toolset for exploring geographic data, lowering the barrier to learning and using geographic information systems.

GeoCanvas combines ease of use with fast handling of large data sets, enabling both novices and experienced data scientists to create compelling 2D and 3D visualizations quickly.

“Synthicity originally developed GeoCanvas as an in-house tool for use by its team of data scientists. Faced with the difficult problem of how to rapidly visualize large scale urban data sets, and discouraged with the performance of off the shelf GIS tools, the team designed GeoCanvas to address their needs efficiently,” says Paul Waddell, President and Founder of Synthicity, and Chair of City and Regional Planning at UC Berkeley.

The in-house team depends on a suite of open-source software for data analysis, including PostGIS and Python with data science libraries. GeoCanvas was designed to interoperate closely with these tools to support an analytical workflow, and can connect directly to PostGIS databases, and import and join tabular data containing attributes for rapid data exploration.

GeoCanvas is not limited to visualizing parcels in cities. By supporting data formats such as the widely available shapefile for spatial geometry and text files for attribute data, it opens the possibility of rapid 3D spatial data visualization for a wide range of uses and users. The software is expected to be a great addition to the toolkits of students, researchers, and practitioners in fields as diverse as data science, geography, planning, real estate analysis, and market research. A set of video tutorials explaining the basic concepts and a range of examples have been made available to showcase the possibilities.

By providing a carefully curated set of tools, GeoCanvas eliminates a lot of the complexity inherent to traditional GIS systems, and presents a streamlined and intuitive user interface. This makes it easier to get up to speed quickly, and create great visualizations faster, for experts and beginners alike. For more advanced users that want to leverage the tools of scientific Python, GeoCanvas transforms their workflow into a visual data science laboratory.

Synthicity Releases 3D Spatial Data Visualization Tool, GeoCanvas

New OGC DWG will help the Location communities collaborate and contribute expertise into building and growing the open Metaverse.

20 January 2023: The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) is excited to announce the formation of the OGC Geo For Metaverse Domain Working Group (DWG), which will serve as a forum for the collective geospatial expertise of the OGC community to gather to help build and grow the open Metaverse. The group is open to OGC Members and non-members alike.

The Metaverse is perhaps the ultimate distributed digital twin of the world. It has the potential to represent everything in the world alongside imagined spaces. The challenges to Standards Development Organizations (SDOs), technologists, artists, and society are huge, but the payoff is believed to be equally tremendous. The Metaverse is not a single thing but, like the internet, is a collection of platforms and technologies: a world of objects that can be navigated and interacted with.

Everything OGC does can be applied to the Metaverse. Our community can contribute expertise in 3D, Modeling & Simulation, Artificial Intelligence, Digital Twins, streaming, Augmented and Virtual Realities, routing, mapping, and more – all at scale.

The OGC Geo For Metaverse DWG will work on pieces of the Metaverse that pertain to geospatial applications and Standards by identifying standardization activities and best practices based on FAIR data principles (making data Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable). Given that the Metaverse will be an evolutionary development, the working group will identify both near- and long-term goals that will help ensure interoperability, FAIRness, and openness. Much of the Metaverse is already happening, so collaboration with other partners will be key to its success and will be a grounding principle of this OGC DWG. Specifically, the DWG will be the primary point of contact with the Metaverse Standards Forum, of which OGC is a founding and Principal member.

3D geospatially anchored data is powering a revolution across a range of industries. This same data – currently relied upon for construction of the real world – is now driving the creation of virtual/digital worlds that will form parts of the Metaverse.

For the Metaverse to succeed, however, all digital and physical world information will have to work in concert at scale. We have a collective responsibility to ensure that the shared future is FAIR and Open. OGC has always focused on interoperability and open Standards – both of which are key to ensuring an open Metaverse. Working together, we can have a positive impact on this future.

For a primer on the Metaverse and the role that OGC and the Geospatial Industry can play, see the blog post ‘

Join OGC for a conversation about how our standards and innovations contribute to the metaverse - from real-time 3D, to digital twins, to Augmented Reality, GeoPose, and more. OGC’s 125th Member Meeting (February 20-24, 2023, virtual and in-person at ESA’s ESRIN in Frascati, Italy) will include the inaugural meeting of the OGC Geo For Metaverse DWG. Learn more and register at

OGC members and non-members alike who are actively working within the Metaverse and related communities are invited to participate in the Geo For Metaverse Domain Working Group. OGC Members can

join the OGC Geo For Metaverse Domain Working Group using the following Portal Page

. OGC DWG’s are open to the public. Non-OGC Members can

join the OGC Geo For Metaverse DWG by signing up to the mailing list here

Learn more about the Mission, Goals, and Planned Activities of the DWG on the

The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) is a collective problem-solving community of more than 550 experts representing industry, government, research and academia, collaborating to make geospatial (location) information and services FAIR - Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable.

The global OGC Community engages in a mix of activities related to location-based technologies: developing consensus-based open standards and best-practices; collaborating on problem solving in agile innovation initiatives; participating in member meetings, events, and workshops; and more.

OGC's unique standards development process moves at the pace of innovation, with constant input from technology forecasting, practical prototyping, real-world testing, and community engagement.

OGC bridges disparate sectors, domains, and technology trends, and encourages the cross-pollination of ideas between different communities of practice to improve decision-making at all levels. OGC is committed to creating an inclusive and sustainable future.

OGC Announces new Geo for Metaverse Domain Working Group

- Blue Marble Geographics (bluemarblegeo.com) is pleased to announce that a French language version of Global Mapper is now available, bringing the total number of supported languages to nine. Working in conjunction with a worldwide network of regional partners, Global Mapper is now available in French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Polish, Spanish, and Turkish as well as the original English version.

For over two decades, Blue Marble's affordable, user-friendly GIS software has been meeting the needs of hundreds of thousands satisfied customers throughout the world. Users come from all industries including software, oil and gas, mining, civil engineering, surveying, and technology companies, as well as government departments and academic institutions.

Driven by the ever-changing needs and requirements of GIS community, Global Mapper has established a well-earned reputation as a low-cost but fully-functional alternative to traditional GIS applications. Over the years, the software’s evolution has followed an aggressive and ambitious development path with each successive version introducing a broad array of new features and functions. With the software now available several languages, GIS professionals throughout the world can make use of the unrivaled data format support, intuitive analysis capability, and powerful LiDAR and 3D processing, while working in their native language.

In each of Global Mapper’s non-English versions, all of the software’s menus, windows, and dialog boxes have been meticulously translated and reformatted into the local language. Additionally, translated versions of the extensive help files and documentation are now available with each local release.