Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are becoming increasingly important in our world today. GIS is a powerful tool that can be used to map out and analyze data about the world, from the location of natural resources to the spread of disease. GIS technology is being used in a variety of ways, from disaster preparation to digital archives to consumer and citizen engagement. One company that is leading the way in GIS technology is Eukarya, a Japanese company that has developed an open-source, highly extensible web GIS platform called Re:Earth.
A Geographic Information System is a computer system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, and display spatial or geographic data. GIS technology is used in a range of industries, from emergency services to retail. It can be used to map the location of resources such as water, oil, and minerals; monitor environmental changes; track the spread of diseases; develop digital archives; create more accurate maps; and enhance consumer and citizen engagement.
Re:Earth is a platform that makes it easy to collect and store data about the world. It can be used to visualize flooding in cities, create smart city platforms, and provide citizens with a way to contribute to disaster preparedness.
Re:Earth also has a variety of commercial applications, from tourism to education. For example, it can be used to teach about geography and history, and its three-dimensional models of buildings can help people plan evacuation routes.
One of the important aspects of the Re:Earth platform is that it is completely free to use. This allows it to be used in a number of places where it could not be used with a traditional fee structure. Non-profits can use it to track global data, from weather issues to human trafficking.
The versatility of the platform comes from the system's extensibility. The data infrastructure is advanced, allowing you to organize it into layers, primitives, etc. In addition to being able to add structured data into the system, you can also add UI and infrastructural elements. If you need to enhance the interface, you can create your own buttons, menus, panels, and more.
Eukarya is looking for global partners to further expand the reach of Re:Earth. The company is working with local governments and private sector companies to collect data and make it easier for people to interact with and contribute. Re:Earth is already a global platform, and anyone can visit the website reearth.io to try it out for free.
GIS technology is an incredibly powerful tool that can be used to collect, analyze, and store data about the world. Eukarya's Re:Earth platform is just one example of how GIS technology is being used to create a better world. By partnering with local governments and private sector companies, Eukarya is helping to make the world a safer and more efficient place.
To learn more about the platform or investigate how you might be able to use it, check out the platform's website.
Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.
Scott is a developer who has worked on projects of varying sizes, including all of the PLUGHITZ Corporation properties. He is also known in the gaming world for his time supporting the rhythm game community, through DDRLover and hosting tournaments throughout the Tampa Bay Area. Currently, when he is not working on software projects or hosting F5 Live: Refreshing Technology, Scott can often be found returning to his high school days working with the Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), mentoring teams and helping with ROBOTICON Tampa Bay. He has also helped found a student software learning group, the ASCII Warriors, currently housed at AMRoC Fab Lab.
Todd is the CEO of RawVoice / Blubrry - a podcast media company that represents 105,000 Audio and Video podcasters in which his company provides advertising opportunities, media distribution/hosting, podcast media statistics and other services. He is a podcast advertising specialist. Executing podcast advertising deals with a variety of national vendors for the past 13 years. Todd was responsible for bringing GoDaddy into the Podcast Advertising Space as one of the first podcast advertisers in 2005.
