1. Much Ado About Google Nathan Mattox Geospatial Extension Specialist University of Missouri - Columbia

2. Google TM has changed public expectations of web-based GIS data Ease of navigation Speed of delivery A wealth of information that is spatially based.

3. Is this positive or negative Positives –GIS has become less of a black box to the general public –Greater support of GIS based initiatives Negatives, or potential negatives –Public opinion that Google Earth is all that GIS really is. –A higher expectation of public deliverable products. –Questions like:

4. “Why can’t your stuff be like Google Maps?” “Why isn’t it as fast as Google Maps?” “Your site isn’t as user friendly as Google Maps, why?”

5. Question of Scale Google is a massive company with nearly limitless resources. Large banks of pre-rendered images User experience experts How can we as smaller shops compete?

6. We Don’t…We Use Purposes of local and state level GIS goes far beyond the scope of Google maps. However, Google does provide an interesting tool for public use data.

7. The Google Mash-up Basically, a layering of your data within the Google interface - Takes advantage of Google’s Base Map layers as an underlayment for other data. - Many mash-up tools available on the web

8. Some tools for getting started Example Mash-up: Map BuilderMap Builder Getting the Google Maps API (Application Programming Interface –http://www.google.com/apis/maps/signup.htmlhttp://www.google.com/apis/maps/signup.html –Generates a key that you add to the mapping application window script for the Google maps functionality. Adding locations in the script is just like editing a text file, with a few extra options.

9. Google Earth and KML Google Earth is much like Google maps in that the usage of the tool is fairly easy. Requires a sizeable download (13MB) and broadband connection (or great patience) for users to access data. Requires Windows 2000 or XP. Does not work on Windows 98.

10. Adding locations in Google Earth Point and click tools on the interface to add one by one. Mass import takes a bit more planning. Demo

11. KML KML is an Extensible Mark-up Language (XML). Editable as a text file Looks very similar to HTML for web- developers in the crowd.

12. So where does Google’s data come from?? Good question and not easily answered –Some satellite data –Most comes from data generated at the local level that is filtered through a vendor Vector Data – Tele-Atlas (in North America) Imagery – Digital Globe Some exceptions –Arkansas

13. Wrap-up Google Maps / Google Earth are excellent tools for public use data They do not diminish the need to have GIS programs Can coexist and should be used where appropriate

14. Questions and Comments Nathan Mattox Geospatial Extension Specialist University of Missouri email: mattoxn@missouri.edu Phone: (573)884-0790