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SPATIAL INFORMATION and the INTERNET Alan Glennon

spatial.ucsb.edu

Image Source: GeoEye.com 2009

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Mission: To facilitate the integration of spatial thinking into processes for learning and discovery in the natural, social, and behavioral sciences, to promote excellence in engineering and applied sciences, and to enhance creativity in the arts and humanities. Engagement: Hosting events (brownbags, workshops, lectures) Developing spatial analytic tools Offering a help desk Assisting with research proposal development

Image Source: NAIP, 2005

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Source: Wikimedia Commons, 2008

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Source: Allen Gathman, 2008

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Source: Strangemaps, 2008

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Source: openstreetmap.org, 2009

Grassroots mapping of Gaza (Gaza project spearheaded by Mikel Maron. left: December 2008 data; right: February 2009 data)

Image Source: GeoEye.com 2008

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Source: Photosynth.com, 2008

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SPATIAL INFORMATION and the INTERNET

Image Source: GeoEye.com 2008

• Three significant maps of the last twelve months • Considering spatial data • Web 2.0 • Comparing the language of cartography, GIS, and Internet geography • Capabilities and concerns • Policy and best practices • Future

Topics

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Geographic Data Two practical perspectives:

Data that include or can be harvested for spatial references Combinations of spatially-referenced points, polylines, polygons, and images with their associated attributes and relationships

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We think of space and use space to think. –Mary Hegarty, UCSB Psychology

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Geographic Data

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Image Source: Google.com 2008

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Geographic Data

Significance:

visually compelling

provide context and content; close things are

usually more related; spatial order; pattern and trend recognition

popular; widespread use, particularly on the Internet

professional expectation: Google Maps as a baseline

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“…it would behove spatial scientists to articulate to the broader research community the potential of recording and making accessible spatial data in the appropriate formats — and the painlessness of the process.”

A place for everything: More researchers must record the latitude and longitude of their data.

Editorial: Nature 453, 2 (1 May 2008)

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Web 2.0 and Spatial Mashups

Web 2.0: The notion of the Internet as a computing platform.

tags: sharing, collaboration, user generated content, community, dynamic, real-time

"Web 2.0 is the business revolution in the computer industry caused by the move to the Internet as platform, and an attempt to understand the rules for success on that new platform.“ Tim O’Reilly, December 2006

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What is a Mashup?

Mashup: a website or application that combines data from more than one source.

Characteristics:

combination, aggregation, visualization

Enabling Technologies

• web search • client-server architecture • Internet applications and AJAX

wikis, online office apps, email, maps, media hosting, social networks, asynchronous data and response

• structured, simple data types like XML, JSON, RSS

• Application Programming Interfaces (API) • willing users

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Polymaps (vector client/server hybrid) OpenLayers (client) MapServer (server) Geoserver (server) GDAL/OGR (server-based geo-database toolkit) GRASS (full desktop GIS client) Google Earth (client) Google Maps (client) Microsoft Bing Maps (client) ArcGIS Explorer family (client) MapQuest (client) Google Earth Enterprise (server) ArcGIS (full desktop GIS client) ArcGIS Server (server) deCarta (server) AutoDesk AutoCad (client) AutoDesk ProductStream (server) Oracle Spatial (server)

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Sample Software

Free

O

pe

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urce

P

rop

rietary

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• ESRI shapefile (.shp) • KeyHole Markup Language (.kml) • GeoJSON (.json) • GeoRSS (.rss, .xml) • AutoCad DXF (.dxf) • Census TIGER • ESRI Coverage • ESRI Personal Geodatabase • GeoTIFF • Digital Raster Graphic (DRG) • Digital Elevation Model (DEM) • Spatial Data Transfer Standard (SDTS) • Image formats like jpg, tiff, gif, and png (often served via a WMS operation)

Considerations when choosing a file type for spatial data: What software support it? What does your consumer want? Is it fast? What type of data, complexity, and dynamics can it support? How easy is it to autogenerate and update (from your database to the new file format)? How well will it age?

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Example Geographic File Types

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The language, tools, and technology of cartographers, geographers and spatial information engineers.

Map Making Process Transformation simplifying, generalizing, and abstracting the world Interrogation asking questions of spatial data and maps Communication creating spatial results that can be understood and have meaning

Geographic Information Systems Collection Storage Analysis Visualization

Geostack capture produce communicate aggregate consume

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Note: Classroom use only. Cartographers, GIS Thinkers, Neogeographers

The Geostack (Source: Andrew Turner, highearthorbit.com)

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The nature of online spatial queries

• data overlays are common

• queries are often predesigned and directed

• user generated content, also known as volunteered geographic information, is prevalent. These data are often harnessed as “wisdom of crowds” / “collective intelligence”. Could be considered a brute-force type query.

• data are often discovered through search and browsing

• simplicity and ease of use are emphasized

Google’s Impact

250,000,000 Google Earth activations

1,000 human lifetimes spent using Maps/Earth

Source: John Hanke, October 2007

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Source: openstreetmap.org, 2009

Co

ncern

s reliability (authority, persistence, legacy) of data

patchiness (inconsistent data quality, availability and resolution)

reliability of associated infrastructure

inaccessibility when not connected to internet

lack of metadata

privacy (both in space and time)

national security interests

inappropriate use of data (analytical issues, scale)

classical mapping issues

misunderstanding projections

poor design, confusing, misleading

hard to use

slow, varying scales (often ignored) -- Google Maps

intellectual property

unlabeled censorship

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Source: http://crschmidt.net/mapping/wpserverdemo/, 2009

Practice

familiarity with “the geostack” client/server interaction

Python Java

Javascript GDAL/OGR

OSGeo Projects

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Qu

ery

Select Geographic Database Analysis Tasks Relational-spatial attribute query Proximity analysis (buffer and distance calculation) Spatial joins (intersection and union comparisons; inside/out) Network analysis (routing and optimization; left/right; topology) Raster comparison (Map Algebra)

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Qu

ery: A

nalysis R

eso

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Google Earth Developers Interact with other developers and explore their work. (http://groups.google.com/group/kml-support)

ArcGIS Explorer Proprietary virtual globe with analysis functionality, particularly when coupled with other ESRI products. Note: UCSB has an ArcGIS site license. (esri.com)

Yahoo! Pipes Graphical multistep web query that includes spatial data. (pipes.yahoo.com)

Microsoft Popfly Graphical multistep web query that includes spatial data. (popfly.com)

OpenLayers Javascript slippy map library with a gallery of numerous web applications. (openlayers.org)

GIS.com A “paleo” introduction to geographic information and analysis

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Qu

ery: Exam

ple

Source: Yahoo! Pipes; Photos near Wineries, Author: Ido

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Source: ArcGIS Explorer, esri.com http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/explorer/graphics/showcase/longbeach-plume-lg.jpg

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Policy an

d B

est Practices

The Policy Landscape No homogenous body of geographic data web standards or regulations exist. So far, emerging precedents are largely arising from privacy and intellectual property law. Private enterprise is also gauging consumer reaction and trying to maximize utility, create monetization potential, and not alienate users.

Accessibility Suggested Design Practices Locational Privacy

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Accessibility

Provide a text description of the map’s or data’s purpose.

Provide descriptions of any included, integrated multimedia.

Use clear, descriptive names and labels.

Consider appropriate colors and contrast for people with color discernment difficulties or other visual impairment

Cite data sources; allowing users to investigate other mechanisms for its visualization

In technology selection, consider open 3D rendering formats. For instance, OpenGL calls to a graphics card can be captured and manipulated. Haptic feedback devices can more readily interpret the data.

Ensure links are simple, visible, and exposed (no hidden image links)

Be very cautious about rapid blinking and dynamic data refreshes. Provide warnings as necessary to assist epileptic population.

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Best Practices

Consider geographic and cartographic principles

Use GeoRSS to syndicate geographic data (refer to KML). HTML:RSS::KML:GeoRSS

Maximize link confidence (hide awkward script calls; links to external resources should be reliable; make sure the external resource acts like you think it should).

Provide usage information and instructions for complex data

Provide data authorship credit (also affords author responsibility).

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Best Practices

Consider window viewing sizes (large images and long descriptions can take over an entire viewscreen).

Allow users control and navigation of layers.

Consider file size, number of points, complexity (warn as necessary). For instance, in KML, use Regionator to manage large image overlays

Minimize the distraction of legends or screen overlays.

Cache geocodes

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Right to privacy varies greatly by jurisdiction. The California Constitution, Article 1, Section 1, describes privacy as an inalienable right. Spatial and temporal data resolution is a key component with respect to invasion of privacy. For example, spatially aggregated U.S. Census data are available soon after compilation. Individual Census responses are prohibited from release for 72 years. Aggregating multiple individuals’ personal information is considered less invasive than individually identifiable information.

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Geographic Privacy

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Geographic Privacy

Graphic source: David H. Williams/E911-LBS, October 25, 2006,

The associated article argues for privacy considerations to be an fundamental part of Location-Base Service design

http://www.directionsmag.com/article.php?article_id=2323&trv=1

Internet users are comprised of all age groups, including those that may have no understanding of personal privacy or its consequences.

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Always tell users what you want to do with their location

Let users know when you are collecting their location information

Give users control of their own data

Make sure users' data are secure

Only allow users to manage their location, but not others

Don't be creepy

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Yahoo! Fire Eagle Developer Code of Conduct

Source: Fire Eagle Developer Code of Conduct, http://fireeagle.yahoo.net/developer/documentation/code_of_conduct

Note: These points are paraphrased.

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Notice - Individuals must be informed that their data is being collected and about how it will be used.

Choice - Individuals must have the ability to opt out of the collection and forward transfer of the data to third parties.

Onward Transfer - Transfers of data to third parties may only occur to other organizations that follow adequate data protection principles.

Security - Reasonable efforts must be made to prevent loss of collected information.

Data Integrity - Data must be relevant and reliable for the purpose it was collected for.

Access - Individuals must be able to access information held about them, and correct or delete it if it is inaccurate.

Enforcement - There must be effective means of enforcing these rules.

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International Safe Harbor Privacy Principles

Source: United State International Trade Administration

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“We no longer go to maps to find out where we are. Instead, we tell maps where we are and they form around us on the fly.”

Jessica Clark- American University (February 2008)

Evolving Spatial Information

• software objects for dynamics • language for object dynamics • UML equivalent for fields • handling real-time feeds • handling spherical/global queries • realistic actors (phenomena that react to stimuli:

interactions, time, physics) • interior data models • spatiotemporal data handling • asynchronous analysis • sensor networks

Source: Goodchild and Glennon (2007)

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The near Future of Spatial Data

more. everywhere.

Image Source: NAIP, 2005

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The near Future of Spatial Data

Image Source: NAIP, 2005

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• Web 3.0: automated data discovery and analysis

• ubiquity

• mixed reality

• evolving business models

• conversations with maps

• expanding scales

• interior spaces

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The Future of Spatial Data

An evolving platform: extending the geographic model to Eames’ and Morrisons’ Powers of Ten The Progression of Internet Maps Interaction: 1. view (see my house) 2. add (tag locations important to me) 3. query (get directions, see patterns) 4a. communicate (sharing and social interaction) 4b. mirror world (realism/physics/1st person GIS) 5. inhabit

Image Source: NAIP, 2005

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The Future of Spatial Data Semantic Spatial Web (spatially literate, natural language Internet) 3D Internet (spatially visualized and inhabitable Internet. Mixed mirrored and virtual reality) Digital Earth (spatiotemporal database of everything) Transhumanism (closer connection of information to individual senses. Think digital contact lenses and putting your own skin on reality. Consequential multi-place existence)

Image Source: NAIP, 2005

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Image Source: GeoEye.com 2008 Sources: GeoEye.com 2008, Openstreetmap 2009, Wikimedia 2008

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SPATIAL INFORMATION and the INTERNET • Internet geography is mass media. • Internet geography is accessible. • Internet geography is at its best when it is timely and also considers geographic concepts. Be fast. Be smart. • Internet geography creates higher public expectations for professional geographers. • Internet geography is not bound to simple queries and mashups. • Internet geography integrates real time feedback and ongoing correction.