Welcome to another fun #5Things on Friday – In this fun, almost end of summer edition we share some interesting updates including details of a video-rich resource for Geotech E-Learning, an amazing earthquake hazard risk tool, a Mayor’s Challenge to communities, a sweet Story Map and an incredible Fantasy Map Creation Tool.
First discovered in the Esri startup pavilion at esriuc, this interesting resource aims to be a goto online community and educational resource for the GIS and mapping professional. Heavy on video, GIS companies, solution providers, educators and more are encouraged to look to GISonline.me as a hosting platform for their educational content. Videos include ArcGIS and Esri related tutorials and lessons, developer tools, hacks and aids to help the would-be developer upgrade some skills or learn a new language. Companies are also encouraged to reach out and build an online learning resource, community help portal or other resource designed to educate users and bring the community together. The resource is very early stage but you can reach out to the developers for info.
Check the seismic rank and hazard risk ranking for a region. Using a pleasant map-based UI, pan around on the map and check the hazard ranking for the region. Taking it several steps further, once an area has been identified and a rank viewed, the user can then enter parameters describing their home (single family wood, condo etc…), year built, size, building cost and more. The system then returns a detailed report that reveals the estimated risk of damage, cost of expected damages and reasons why you might consider extra insurance coverage. Templor is available for mobile in the Google Play or Apple store.
Here’s an innovative Story Map from LSU that allows users to explore the rich cultural uses of native tree and shrub species found on Louisiana State University’s campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana! Ethnobotany is the study of the relationships between plants and people, as well as the traditional knowledge held by individuals and culture groups in regards to plant use for medicinal, religious, or other cultural purposes. Louisiana has a rich ethnobotanical heritage, much of which can be reflected in the landscape of the area.
Ever wanted to create your very own Fantasy Map based on ideas and dreams that you had or perhaps read about when you were a child? That’s exactly what the developer wanted when they came up with this cool tool. Use the resource to make maps that look like something you’d find at the back of one of the cheap paperback fantasy novels. About the map generator… “There are a few different stages to the generator. First we build up a height-map of the terrain, and do things like routing water flow over the surface. Then we can render the ‘physical’ portion of the map. Finally we can place cities and ‘regions’ on the map, and place their labels.” FUN STUFF!
The Mayor’s Challenge for Safer People
Recall recently, the WhiteHouse offered a challenge to developers and big data scientists to analyze the recently released open data of transportation fatalities. Well, here’s another call from officials to help address a growing concern. This was initally a year-long “Mayors’ Challenge for Safer People and Safer Streets” effort with the idea being for city leaders to raise the bar for bicycle and pedestrian safety. Fast forward, the USDOT is inviting Challenge Cities to participate in forums, webinars, and learn about available resources to help them accomplish their Challenge activity goals. The Challenge is based on the 2010 USDOT Policy Statement on Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodation. You can download an executive summary of the Mayors’ Challenge here. Staff from participiating communities should register here
We hope you found something of interest here. If you have a cool GIS, GeTech, Geo EDU, UAV or other story/tip of interest, please share with us via email (hit the Contact Us link to the right) or drop us a tweet @GEOjobeGIS
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