Mike Biddle of the Maine Department of Transportation presented MDOT's new GIS which was going online right at the time of the meeting. This system incorporates much of their legacy data, but allows users to access it with only a few mouse clicks. Mike was able to provide a live demonstration since the system is Internet-based. Perhaps in the spring we can get an update on MDOT's progress!

Mike Coan of Seven Islands presented a project where they have been testing the applicability of low-cost GPS to forestry applications using the Coast Guard differential GPS broadcasts. The results he showed were quite impressive, especially considering the remote locations they work in, and the stated accuracy of the equipment he tested.

Chris Wentzell-Brehme of the Island Institute and Paul Shroeder of the University of Maine presented two related projects for the Gulf of Maine Environmental Exchange. The best way to summarize their work is to say that they are making a variety of spatial data about the Gulf of Maine accessible through the Internet.

Michael White and Thomas Asbeck of Photo Science gave a presentation on GIS Landbase Accuracy. The presentation included information about the terminology and measurement of accuracy, particularly as it pertains to a photogrammetrically-compiled landbase, which most GIS use.

Terrence Keating of Lucerne International presented the trials and tribulations of managing a very large cadastral GIS development project. Although the project is in Puerto Rico, three firms in Maine (Lucerne International, Photo Science, Inc., and James W. Sewall Company) are participants. Terry detailed a number of the tools put into place to track and report the progress, in an effort to keep this massive project on schedule.

Last, but not least, Dave Kirouac of the Maine Office of GIS gave a presentation on the use of the OGIS web site. Much of this presentation is repeated in an article by Dave later in this newsletter.

© 2006 Maine GIS User Group
All Rights Reserved.
Modified: 25 October, 2005