Posts

Module 1 Lab: Visual Interpretation

Module 1 Lab: Visual Interpretation


First week of Photo Interpretation and Remote Sensing had us developing skills in identifying and classifying the tone and texture in aerial photographs, identifying features in an aerial photograph based on shape and size, shadow, pattern, and association, and interpreting features in true color and false color in infrared images. 

I did not struggle with any of the tools used in the lab.

Aerial Photograph labeled with Tone and Texture


I believe that I understood the material to appropriately label the required items. 

Aerial Photograph labeled with Identifying Features




Post a Comment
Read more

Lab 5: M2.2 Interpolation

Lab 5: M2.2 Interpolation

Our labs on Surfaces continued on with Lab 5 with Interpolation with Thiessen Polygons, IDW, and Spline. 

Thiessen Polygons - as the name suggests - creates polygons between the sampling points.

IDW (Inverse Distance Weighting) - a DEM that gives weight to its nearest neighbors but can be "spotty".

Spline - DEM that smooths the differences between points. 






Post a Comment
Read more

Lab 4: M 2.1 TINs and DEMs

Lab 4: M 2.1 TINs and DEMs


This week we started our labs on Surfaces. The first one being on TINs and DEMs. 

I was familiar with all the tools used from previous labs. 

We explored the difference between the TINs and DEMs elevation models and all their different attributes. One of the main differences between the two is that DEM looks more natural but TINs is more precise. 

It was interesting going through all the renders possible for the TIN layer. Finding the right combination of colors to show the different slopes, edges, and contours so they don't overwhelm each other was a bit of a task. 



Post a Comment
Read more

GIS Job Search

GIS Job Search

This week we in our Internship class we had to perform a GIS Job search.

I started with a Google search, “GIS 911 jobs”, which led to Indeed. 

I started with these broad terms because I was already aware that the technical job names for what I am wanting varies across the nation. As expected, there were various different job titles – 911 GIS Technician, GIS Manager, CAD/E911 GIS System Administrator, 911 GIS Coordinator, etc. 

I went through quite a few of them and they all had about the same requirements. Most were completely dedicated to GIS tasks and a few mentioned working with IT. 

The closest I could find to what I am looking for was for Geographic Systems Administrator for a 911 center in Texas. 

The only requirement across the various job descriptions that I think I would struggle with at the start is SQL Servers, but once I learn the basics and get some hands on experience I think I would be fine. 

Ideally, I would want a role that is dedicated to GIS for 911 and assists with CAD/E911, IT, Dispatch Training, and GIS projects for Public Safety.

Post a Comment
Read more

Lab 3: M1.3: Assessment

Lab 3: M1.3: Assessment


Our 3rd and final lab in Data Quality was on Assessment. 

We compared the Jackson County road network to the US Census TIGER road network data. 

Before confining the roads to 1 km by 1 km grids for analysis the difference in street length between the two networks was about 576 kilometers, with the TIGER data seeming more complete. 

After clipping the roads to the grids the difference between the two networks rose by approximately 6300 kilometers. 

I then used the Pairwise intersect tool at the suggestion from a classmate. I had to do some trial and error with the summarize tool to get all the required information. There was 1 grid that had zero roads and 1 grid with only TIGER road data. 

I ended up with percentages in the high negatives. The highest being in negative 500 to 1000. A visual inspection shows that the TIGER road data may be roads that were planned and had not been developed yet or trails. I redid things a few times and kept getting the same results. 









Post a Comment
Read more

Lab 2: M1.2 Standards

Lab 2: M1.2 Standards

Our 2nd lab in GIS4930 builds off skills we learned in the first lab as it pertains to accuracy. 

Since I've been playing catch up from last week, I was able to review the discussion board before starting the lab and take advantage of the various tips that had been posted (mainly the missing orthros and the excel sheet)

Overall no issues with the lab. I manually labeled the three sets to match each other and since the excel sheet already had the formulas, the data entry and analysis were a breeze.

I split the study area up into 4 quadrants and randomly selected from there. A few points had to be moved due to lack of viable streets. I used Calculate Geometry to get the correct points on each set and then copied and pasted into excel from there. 





Albuquerque City

Positional Accuracy: Tested 18.41 feet horizontal accuracy at 95% confidence level.

 

StreetMap USA

Positional Accuracy: Tested 175.76 feet horizontal accuracy at 95% confidence level.




I passed Security+, so that journey for now has come to an end. Thinking Cloud, Data, or Project for next year though. 

Post a Comment
Read more

Internship

Internship


For the internship, I have selected to complete 130 hours of hands-on GIS related work at the county I currently work for. The current plan is to work out something internally with our main GIS department and then supplement with GIS related projects in my department. If needed, I will also be supplementing the hours with ESRIs Virtual Academy classes and past GIS projects I have worked on for work.


This week we explored GIS user groups. Due to my location, I selected to join
  • Northwest Florida GIS User Group
  • Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA)
    • Florida Chapter
    • Location, Enterprise Addressing & Public Safety (LEAP) Committee (formerly the NextGen 911 Task Force).
      • This is an industry focus for me since I work in Emergency Communications and we are in the process of converting to Next Gen 911.
  • GIS Association of Alabama (GISAA)
    • South Region
      • This area borders my county.
    • Coastal
      • Possibly could have some overlap in ideas/resources for my County's coastal area.

I am also interested in the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) but I am going to do more research and consult colleagues before making the decision on becoming a member. USGIF is a community for those that develops and apply geospatial intelligence to address national security challenges.



I am a member of NENA and APCO but they did not seem to have any particular chapters/groups or committees currently available that are focused on GIS.
Post a Comment
Read more