Editorial Guidelines

Michael Johnson

Jan 01, 12:45

Thank you for your interest in contributing to Directions Magazine. People who read Directions Magazine manage, use, or are investigating how to solve problems using geospatial technologies including GIS, GPS, location-based services, remote sensing, sensors and related technologies.

Feature Articles

Feature articles usually run 1,200 to 1,500 words and may cover a variety of subjects. Shorter pieces are also welcome.

We suggest the following types of articles:

Solution articles explain how a challenge was addressed by geospatial technologies. Define the challenge(s) and include details of how they were resolved. If possible discuss why and how the technology was chosen and applied, the difficulties overcome, cost/savings, personnel issues and training, and lessons learned.

Tutorials can offer general or specific steps to implement a technology.

Product reviews evaluate new products or services in an unbiased way. Reviews examine technical issues related to hardware, software and data, and the features and benefits provided by the product or service.

The review should answer the following questions:

What are the system requirements?
What is its intended market, and is it appropriate for it?
How well does it perform its claimed capabilities?
How easy or difficult is it to implement/learn?
How does it compare to similar products?
How much does it cost?

How much training is suggested? What types of training (Web, tutorial, video, etc) are available?

What suggestions would you make to the vendor to enhance the product?

State of the Art articles review a technology or business area and its current state including major players, products and challenges.

Guest Editorials are "point of view" pieces that articulate a stand on a policy, technology or other issue related to geospatial technology. These are typically shorter pieces (up to 1000 words) and should include the reasons you support this view.

Other topics and forms are welcome. Please contact the Managing Editor to discuss your ideas.

Writing Style and other guidelines

Style

Directions Magazine’s readership has a wide variety of backgrounds. We prefer a familiar rather than a scholarly tone to make content as accessible as possible. Please define the goal of the article and the benefits a reader will take away in the first two paragraphs. Define all acronyms on first use except GIS and GPS. Identify all persons quoted including their name, title and company affiliation. We prefer not to include footnotes.

While we accept articles penned by solution providers and other vendors, we do ask that they be non-commercial. We prefer that users tell their own story if at all possible.

Bylines and author biographies

A two line biography of the author(s) is requested. Please include the author(s)’ name(s), title(s), or organization(s), and website(s)/e-mail address(es).

Manuscript

Send via e-mail to the managing editor (see below). We will confirm receipt of materials. All submissions are subject to approval and editing for grammar, style, and consistency. We make no guarantee that submissions will be published.

Graphics

Please provide a minimum of 3-5 digital graphics for feature articles along with the manuscript (do not embed them in a Word processing document; attach the graphics file to an e-mail). If you are unable to produce or acquire digital graphics, please contact the managing editor and we will try to assist you.

Graphics:

Illustrate the focus and content of the article
Show activity or movement and include people
Depict a project area (clear, colorful, dynamic scenes)
May include computer screen shots where the print onscreen is readable
Must include a descriptive caption of 15-25 words in complete sentences that explains the relationship to the article. If the author is not the provider of the graphics, please cite the source and insure permission has been given for reproduction online.

Please deliver digital file in GIF or JPEG format no wider than 700 pixels.

Payment for Articles

At this time, Directions Magazine does not pay for unsolicited articles. We welcome your contributions to the publication and the industry.

Original Material

Directions Magazine gives priority to submitted articles that have not yet been published. We will consider articles that have been or will be published elsewhere, on a case-by-case basis. Please let the managing editor know if an article you are submitting for consideration has already been published elsewhere.

Copyright

Directions Magazine retains copyright to the version of material which appears in any of its publications including Directions Magazine, All Points Blog, LBS360.NET, Directions Magazine français, Map Hawk or other publication owned or managed by same . For example, editorial material appearing in Directions Magazine may not be copied and republished elsewhere in the same form without appropriate credit given to Directions Magazine. Contact Jane Elliott, publisher, if you would like permission to reprint an article appearing in any of our publications.