Open Source GIS: A GRASS GIS Approach [Hardcover]
The KML Handbook: Geographic Visualization for the Web [Paperback]
Both on order, to be delivered between Jan 21 - Feb 5
Also have a book on SQL arriving via inter library loan and friend privileges.
More updates will follow when I can actually figure out how to accomplish what I want to. It's rather grandiose to think that I could teach myself everything just using the internet. Also, slightly frustrating. The realm of textbooks however, are familiar!
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
seeing you again so soon?
Some basic definitions, mostly that I've run across and am only vaguely familiar with.
SQL (Structured Query Language) (pronounced /ˌɛs.kjuːˈɛl/ ES-kyoo-EL )[1][2] is a database computer language designed for managing data in relational database management systems (RDBMS), and originally based upon Relational Algebra. Its scope includes data query and update, schema creation and modification, and data access control.
This is something I touched on, very very lightly last semester. We did some incredibly basic SQL joins. All the query functions in GRASS are based on SQL. (Remember how I said I had absolutely no programming background?)
Map Projection: The projection of a map is incredibly important. Wrong projection programmed into your GIS and none of your coordinates are right. It took me a good 20 minutes or so to figure out that my data had NAD83 map info.
Here is the projection of my cities and state information for IL and whatnot. I could add labels. Everytime I tried to do the SQL query I screwed up though. Which means a trip to the library.. or book store, or browsing on the intarweb to find the info that I need to do what I want to.
At first I didn't zoom in enough to notice that my state had a state boundary, as well as a lake michigan boundary. The cities data is sorted by population, county, county seat, state, etc, and I was hoping to do a queary for JUST cities in IL. Its too late at night to learn new skills though, I think its an accomlishment that I even got anything projected! (which took me multiple attempts..)
The art of persuasion
After telling a friend of mine about a crazy project that I want to work on, she encouraged me to begin this blog to detail my madness, frustration, and overall accomplishments (and failures).
A little bit about me: I'm a 24 year old self proclaimed Gamer girl. I've been larping since I was 16, I also play warcrack. I have a BS. in Geography, and have a fairly basic understanding of GIS because I've taken some courses in it. I work at starbucks full time, and live way west of Chicago. I will more than likely be moving to Florida and I'm looking for jobs there currently.
The First project is a combination of multiple things. I'm beginning by learning a completely new GIS system (Called GRASS, which it assures me is considered one of the most used public domain GIS programs around). Moving from very high end expensive software to public domain software is terrifying. It's got a lot more computer lingo than I'm familiar with. I think, thus far, that the general idea however, is pretty much the same. (Although at this point in it all, I'm regretting terribly not ever taking any programing courses.)
From there, I'd like to set up a ... data system? For a LARP (Live Action Role Playing) game of Vampire: The Requiem. Yes, it is terribly terribly geeky. Its been an idea that a friend of mine and I have been discussing in snippets. In an attempt to continue to digest just _exactly_ how to accomplish this task, I've decided that instead of just thinking about it, I'd start trying to put some pieces together.
Another possible project on my docket is a map for a friend who is running a post apocalyptic tabletop psuedo zombie game. It takes place a few hundred years in the future, so hes asked me to project some very very very basic climate data. In so doing, actually seeing the things he and I have talked about is ticking in the back of my brain, so its completely possible that this will also take up my time.
My basic plan is to create a GIS, and then import what I've done into google maps. Today I verified that GRASS is indeed capable of performing this task (I think!).
I'm working on finding the raw data that I need, and then I think that some basic geocoding won't be too difficult. I think that from there I will create a microsoft access DB file for the data I'd like to program in. I don't even know that I'm following the steps in the right order, but I figure that this will be a great learning experience, if nothing else.
So. Here goes.
I'm starting with a basic map file of state borders. I am also adding in Major Cities so that I have a good solid foundation. The map is going to be national in scope, although I only need detailed data for a few major cities. (St. Louis, MO; DeKalb, IL; Des Moines, IA; Cleveland, OH; Topeka, KS; Seattle, WA; Colorado Springs, CO; )
I know that I will run into problems because my GIS software is on the laptop, which has no microsoft access, or excell on it. (I know I know!) However, thus far the things that I know from my degree are being useful. I've downloaded 7- zip (an open liscence unzipping software) that can unzip the files that I need.)
A little bit about me: I'm a 24 year old self proclaimed Gamer girl. I've been larping since I was 16, I also play warcrack. I have a BS. in Geography, and have a fairly basic understanding of GIS because I've taken some courses in it. I work at starbucks full time, and live way west of Chicago. I will more than likely be moving to Florida and I'm looking for jobs there currently.
The First project is a combination of multiple things. I'm beginning by learning a completely new GIS system (Called GRASS, which it assures me is considered one of the most used public domain GIS programs around). Moving from very high end expensive software to public domain software is terrifying. It's got a lot more computer lingo than I'm familiar with. I think, thus far, that the general idea however, is pretty much the same. (Although at this point in it all, I'm regretting terribly not ever taking any programing courses.)
From there, I'd like to set up a ... data system? For a LARP (Live Action Role Playing) game of Vampire: The Requiem. Yes, it is terribly terribly geeky. Its been an idea that a friend of mine and I have been discussing in snippets. In an attempt to continue to digest just _exactly_ how to accomplish this task, I've decided that instead of just thinking about it, I'd start trying to put some pieces together.
Another possible project on my docket is a map for a friend who is running a post apocalyptic tabletop psuedo zombie game. It takes place a few hundred years in the future, so hes asked me to project some very very very basic climate data. In so doing, actually seeing the things he and I have talked about is ticking in the back of my brain, so its completely possible that this will also take up my time.
My basic plan is to create a GIS, and then import what I've done into google maps. Today I verified that GRASS is indeed capable of performing this task (I think!).
I'm working on finding the raw data that I need, and then I think that some basic geocoding won't be too difficult. I think that from there I will create a microsoft access DB file for the data I'd like to program in. I don't even know that I'm following the steps in the right order, but I figure that this will be a great learning experience, if nothing else.
So. Here goes.
I'm starting with a basic map file of state borders. I am also adding in Major Cities so that I have a good solid foundation. The map is going to be national in scope, although I only need detailed data for a few major cities. (St. Louis, MO; DeKalb, IL; Des Moines, IA; Cleveland, OH; Topeka, KS; Seattle, WA; Colorado Springs, CO; )
I know that I will run into problems because my GIS software is on the laptop, which has no microsoft access, or excell on it. (I know I know!) However, thus far the things that I know from my degree are being useful. I've downloaded 7- zip (an open liscence unzipping software) that can unzip the files that I need.)
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