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| Subject: | Re: [gislist] A new idea for GIS resumes? |
| Date: |
06/08/2005 08:45:01 AM |
| From: |
Brian Russo |
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I disagree..
Neil Havermale wrote:
> The GIS industry is about to undergo such a fundamental shift due to its
> failing requirement to demand not just skilled but certified dexterity for
> creating map-centric information that I would suggest that certain
> buggy-whip-centric GIS tycoons must re-think their roles.
Rhetoric.. hopefully we learn (as most of the computing industry has)
that most certifications are merely a waste of $$$.
>
> What I believe is happening is that the environment required to build
> accurate maps is no longer relegated to the GIS alchemist's smoke and shadow
> show. No longer does map-making require large complex computers, specialized
> labs, grey hair nor ink stained fingers. What I like is that an economist
> can do spatial analysis as can an agronomist... sales-sheds are no longer
> mystical glass-balls who's forecasters require a degreed certification. In
> fact, I have little time these days to try to explain to so call
> "geographers" uncertainty surfaces versus map illustration - my spatial
> statistics eclipse your now-insignificant mappings.... We are too busy
> moving on spatial information utility to debate if map making really should
> be a regulated industry?
Utter nonsense. In fact one can strongly argue that the reverse is true.
Like conventional non-spatial statistics, "your" spatial statistics will
be meaningless and (in some industries more than others) worse -
misunderstood, perhaps fatally, if they are inadequately or incorrectly
represented.
I've seen many maps made by non-specialists (some are bad.. some are
good.. more are bad IMO) and certainly I'm not saying this is a Bad
Thing (tm) or that "they shouldn't be allowed to" but I believe
moderation is more in order here.
I have (and use for work/play) ArchiCAD, AutoCAD, Inventor, etc - does
this mean I should be allowed to design a bridge span or an office
building? Probably not. Not even a team of engineers will be flawless
but certainly their average success rate will be far higher than mine.
Your position does strongly remind me of the notion that was flouted
years ago that programmers would die out as non-coders would "drag and
drop" their way to writing software. Certainly this has happened to some
extent - most office-type applications are extensible via some sort of
proprietary or standardized scripting language or macro system.. etc -
but hardly has this made coders obsolete.
I believe a similar thing is and will occur with
spatial-whatever-the-buzzword-of-today-is systems. I.e. non-specialists
will increasingly easily create spatial representations of their data.
Many will do this successfully - and many will fail. It may not sound as
grandiose as your wonderful speech but it's far more realistic IMO.
>
> I do not see geographers as the new clinical science leading to all insights
> via their referral to other GIS/geograpghy experts. They are no longer
> captains of the drawers where there is only one copy of our common legacy. I
> see them maybe as an information shoe salesmen who attempt to fit size and
> style: do you want well fitting work boots or stylish but uncomfortable
> penny-loafers for cocktailing?
>
You should go into politics instead.
> Rock-on dudes...
> MidNight Mapper
> Aka neil
>
- bri
--
Brian Russo <brian@russo-associates.com>
Russo & Associates: Geospatial Services & Solutions
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