Unknown's avatar

About socalgovgis - Michael Carson

Michael Carson, GIS Manager (retired) for the City of Burbank and President of Southern California Government GIS User Group. Currently teaching GIS at College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita.

Map History Directory

Interested in map history?  Doing a research projected in map history or cartography?  You might want to check out The International Directory of Researchers in Map History.

The purpose of the directory is to promote communication among researchers who study the history of maps and to provide information about the field to the public.  The directory is an open source for contact information, current interests, research projects, and publications related to map history.  Check it out.

Historic Places LA

Check out HistoricPlacesLA.org.  It is the first online information and management system specifically created to inventory, map, and help protect the City of Los Angeles’ significant historic resources.

Thanks goes to Barry Waite at the City of Carson for pointing out this resource.

MS in GISci at CSULB

The Department of Geography at California State University Long Beach is accepting applications for our Master of Science in Geographic Information Science (MSGISci) degree program.  The application deadline is April 1st; the FAFSA deadline is March 2nd (https://fafsa.ed.gov/).

Key Program Features: ▪ 1-year completion time (30 units). ▪ Schedule is designed to meet the needs of working professionals (courses are offered on weeknights and Saturdays) ▪ Tuition and fees are just under $20,000.  Additional program details and application information can be found at www.beachgis.com.

Suzanne P. Wechsler, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Geography, California State University Long Beach (CSULB)
Director, Master of Science in Geographic Information Science (MSGISci)

Google & ESRI

After Google’s announcement that they were ending support of Google Maps Engine and their implied retirement of Google Earth Enterprise, as well as Google Earth Pro which is now free, ESRI has teamed up with Google to offer GME and GEE customers no-cost ESRI replacement software for a year (after that they pay maintenance).  Also included is no-cost training and attending the annual User Conference at no cost.

CGIA GeoSummit at UC Merced

California Geographic Information Association (CGIA) is hosting their fourth annual CGIA GeoSummit at UC Merced, Friday March 13, 2015.

This event brings together state and regional GIS experts, educators, graduate students, and faculty using GIS in their research, in addition to community members with an interest in GIS.  The event this year features speakers from all walks of GIS to share their work, the latest in GIS technology, student presentations, and a map gallery.  For more info, visit their website.

Introduction to Geospatial Technology Using QGIS

New to GIS?  New to QGIS open source software?  Check out this free self paced course from Del Mar College introducing you to GIS and QGIS software.  The course opens today.

Topics covered in this course include GIS, cartography, remote sensing, and spatial analysis through a series of lectures and hands-on computer-based exercises. This course is designed to be used as a stand-alone course to complement other disciplines or as an entry level course into a geospatial program. Course content is based upon the United States Department of Labor’s Geospatial Technology Competency Model for entry level geospatial occupations, including Geospatial or GIS Technicians and Technologists.

If you consider yourself knowledgeable in GIS, but want to know more about QGIS open source software, visit the QGIS website and follow the training manual.