EDITORIAL

Engaging the millennials

by Ilse Genovese

It's over. Gone are the speeches on the stump, emotion-pumped-up rallies, meticulous get-out-the-vote campaigns. We, the people, have spoken. We've elected the 44th president of the United States of America, a country that from its founding has seen itself as a special place, an example to other nations, a "shining beacon on the hill." more >>

GISCIENCE

A budding GIScientist

by Rylee Ellyson

Hello, I’m Rylee Ellyson and I’m a sophomore at Purcell High School in Purcell, Oklahoma. I’m also part of the McClain Co. GIS 4-H Geoclovers team. Our team has an ESRI grant that allows us to use ArcMap 9, but to take advantage of the grant, we have to have a community mapping project.
The Geoclovers and I have done different things using ArcMap and other geospatial technology. We started modestly, by attaching GPS units to the handle bars of our bikes and riding around Purcell Lake to collect geographic data. The idea was to find out where the city needed to come in and expand walking trails or build new ones. more >>

Look it up, map it, navigate to it

by Rami Honig

GPS is the best known way to locate objects and people by applying the fundamental principles of distance measuring. Combining GPS with mobile phones makes mapping locations an integral part of our everyday lives. Today’s cell phone makers are increasingly incorporating mapping technologies to provide navigation and customized services for the most ubiquitous device in the world—the mobile phone. more>>

Inside the election's crystall ball

by David Miller

Rather than just voice my opinion, I decided to use maps to predict the outcome of the 2008 election. I am delivering this article about three weeks before the election, so I might be surprised on Election Day. When presidential elections occurred while I was teaching geography classes at Northern Virginia Community College or the Defense Intelligence Agency, I needed to stress the origin of electors in the U.S. Constitution, and how the Electoral College helps our federal system by giving the states power in presidential elections. In essence, our votes count at the state level, not the national level. I would challenge my students to predict the vote based upon demographics and past votes. The winners would get National Geographic atlases. more>>

SURVEYING&MAPPING

At Lucas Oil, zero tolerance

by Don Talend

Opened in September in downtown Indianapolis, Lucas Oil Stadium, the new home of the NFL Colts, is taking sports spectators and the Circle City’s entertainment and convention business to new levels. With a capacity of 63,000 - 70,000 seats, and 137 Super Suites, each with its own 50-inch plasma TV and 24-36 seats with individual screens, Lucas Oil can accommodate the NCAA Final Four, the Super Bowl, concerts, conventions, and various other events. more>>

HISTORY

SDSPLS celebrates 25th anniversary

Opening address by David Lee Ingram

What a wonderful location to assemble for a celebration, but as your speaker I can also tell you that this is quite intimidating. To have these four presidents looking over my shoulder (and I’d like to think listening in on our conversation), causes me to pause and reflect on how we arrived here today as a nation and as surveyors. It also causes me to reflect on my own journey to this podium. more>>

INTERVIEW

CaGIS slate of editors changes at the top

by Ilse Genovese

The Cartography and Geographic Information Society (CaGIS) announced late August the appointment of Dr. Michael Leitner of Louisiana State University to serve as the Editor of Cartography and Geographic Information Science (CaGIS). He is taking over from Dr. Elisabeth S. Nelson as of January 2009. Dr. Jeong Chang “JC” Seong of University of West Georgia was offered the position of Associate Editor, previously held by Prof. Robert McMaster. Drs Leitner and Seong will team up with the journal’s other Associate Editor, Dr. David A. Bennett, University of Iowa, to lead a strong journal which continues to grow in stature in the academic community. The selection of Leitner and Seong doesn’t come as a surprise; their research interests in cartography and GIScience mesh with the journal’s primary focus. Beyond a propitious confluence of science there is also the human factor; both Leitner and Seong recognize the role CaGIS has played in helping to advance their academic careers. “It’s about time for me to contribute some of my talent and resources to the society and people who have helped me to develop my career in GIScience,” said Seong. more>>