576
D.R. Green and S.D. King
How can we remove the technical and institutional barriers to widespread use
of geospatial data?
How can new Internet tools help?
What kinds of public-private partnerships should be formed to address these
issues?
Using common solutions and sharing data will dramatically improve the way
we make decisions
Millions of Web sites and a wide range of technologies offer access to maps,
earth images and other geospatial data
But it is hard to find the data you really need, and hard to use it in your GIS
As these geodata discovery and geoprocessing interoperability problems get
solved, one result will be that online geoprocessing services, not only online
geodata, will become an integral part of your information environment
Barriers to data sharing slow our progress in many endeavours and,
ultimately in building liveable communities
Geodata serves as the information base underlying liveable communities
However, the kinds of data needed, who creates and maintains what
information, and how effective co-ordination is achieved are among the
challenges of this complex, multifaceted issue
Framework data provide a base on which to collect, register, integrate and
analyze other information... they are an essential element of NSDI
(after Conference flyer for: Making Living Communities a Reality - 1999 National
Geodata Forum)
In the past we have had (and still do have) major national organisations who
have provided essential map data and information which has formed and still is a major
national resource worth 'billions' of pounds. But, despite the attempts to 'commercialise'
the national resources, and to break up many organisations into smaller economic units,
at the end of the day some things just can not operate like this; and one of these is a
national resource of geospatial data and information, one that is co-ordinated and
managed by a government body for the good of the nation.
The problem in the UK at present is that we are still far too good at convening
lots of committees, 'talking shop', producing glossy brochures, developing our image at
the expense of content and substance, and saying a lot of things that do not ever see the
light of day. We need to get past this stage and to focus on providing low-cost data and
information that will form the basis for a national resource, and to make the best
possible use of the technology that we now have at our disposal to make this a reality.
We need to address and resolve all the issues that are currently major stumbling blocks
to maximising our use of data and information in the workplace.
To conclude, in summary, we need to:
Raise awareness that data and information is fundamental to our knowledge
base, understanding, planning, management and decision-making in the
workplace
D.R. Green and S.D. King
How can we remove the technical and institutional barriers to widespread use
of geospatial data?
How can new Internet tools help?
What kinds of public-private partnerships should be formed to address these
issues?
Using common solutions and sharing data will dramatically improve the way
we make decisions
Millions of Web sites and a wide range of technologies offer access to maps,
earth images and other geospatial data
But it is hard to find the data you really need, and hard to use it in your GIS
As these geodata discovery and geoprocessing interoperability problems get
solved, one result will be that online geoprocessing services, not only online
geodata, will become an integral part of your information environment
Barriers to data sharing slow our progress in many endeavours and,
ultimately in building liveable communities
Geodata serves as the information base underlying liveable communities
However, the kinds of data needed, who creates and maintains what
information, and how effective co-ordination is achieved are among the
challenges of this complex, multifaceted issue
Framework data provide a base on which to collect, register, integrate and
analyze other information... they are an essential element of NSDI
(after Conference flyer for: Making Living Communities a Reality - 1999 National
Geodata Forum)
In the past we have had (and still do have) major national organisations who
have provided essential map data and information which has formed and still is a major
national resource worth 'billions' of pounds. But, despite the attempts to 'commercialise'
the national resources, and to break up many organisations into smaller economic units,
at the end of the day some things just can not operate like this; and one of these is a
national resource of geospatial data and information, one that is co-ordinated and
managed by a government body for the good of the nation.
The problem in the UK at present is that we are still far too good at convening
lots of committees, 'talking shop', producing glossy brochures, developing our image at
the expense of content and substance, and saying a lot of things that do not ever see the
light of day. We need to get past this stage and to focus on providing low-cost data and
information that will form the basis for a national resource, and to make the best
possible use of the technology that we now have at our disposal to make this a reality.
We need to address and resolve all the issues that are currently major stumbling blocks
to maximising our use of data and information in the workplace.
To conclude, in summary, we need to:
Raise awareness that data and information is fundamental to our knowledge
base, understanding, planning, management and decision-making in the
workplace