Geomob

This week Ed chats with Peter Rushforth from the Maps for HTML project. This is an open source project with accessibility at the centre of their work. With their "lead by example" approach, the community has defined a vocabulary to make maps native elements of the web. Peter is convinced that specifying and implementing accessible maps on the web remains not only possible, but also of huge potential benefit to society. Tune in to find out where the project is now, how to get involved, and what drives Peter to continue with the project despite the difficulty of the undertaking.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Do you know the difference between GNSS and GPS? This week Ed chats with Xavier Banqué Casanovas from Rokubun. Xavier is a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) expert and the perfect person to explain the importance of precise geolocation. Learn how GNSS has evolved, how it can be used for mass market applications and how accurate it actually is in this weeks episode. For those familiar with GNSS, you’ll want to tune in to hear about the hottest research topic in the GNSS area and what solutions are on the rise for those pesky GNSS/GPS jammers and spoofers. 

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Joining Ed for a chat this week is the CEO and founder of Hivemapper, Ariel Seidman. A relatively new player to the crowdsourced map community, Hivemapper is mapping the world using custom dashcams built with mapping in mind. In contrast to models like Waze, Hivemapper believes every contributor should be rewarded for their contribution. Drivers earn cryptocurrency (HONEY tokens) as they drive and contribute to the map. Hivemapper has mapped over two million kilometers in the United States and Europe. Listen in to learn how this new tech is pushing a new paradigm in mapping, and how you can get involved.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed had the pleasure of attending the first Geomob Finand in Helsinki (see the summary thread), and was then off to London to join Steven for the biggest Geomob London ever (summary thread). They recap both events, ponder the skyrocketing price of beer in UK (which means we really could do with some more sponsors), muse briefly on whether London has lost its international technical mojo, and then give brief updates on their projects.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

What does it take to make a detailed illustrated map of Melbourne? A lot. On this episode Steven speaks with the self-proclaimed ‘accidental map maker’ Melinda Clarke. This large scale map project began 30 years ago when Melinda was travelling and collecting illustrated maps. When she couldn’t find one for her own town, Melbourne, she decided to make it. Listen in as she explains the journey that includes hitchhiking on helicopters, last minute hot air ballon flights, and years of ‘ink on paper’ drawing. Melinda's love affair with her hometown continues 30 years on with a new Melbourne map available in traditional or jigsaw form. Tune in to hear about the process of this amazing map/art project and what Melinda is working on next.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

In this episode Steven and Ed examine challenge of commercializing geo. They discuss the evolution of Citymapper and Mapbox, and muse about how much money you need burn to create a unicorn. Is it possible in the age of open data and open source, even with a mountain of VC money? And how much can/should companies give back to the open community before jeopardising their own position?

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Are you still using Twitter? This week the focus is on Mapstodon, the cartography and geospatial server on Mastodon. Steven chats with spatial data scientist and geographer: Jérémy Garniaux. Jérémy is the man behind Mapstodon, the server created a few months ago when Twitter uncertainty drove all the self-proclaimed geeks to Mastodon. Jérémy and Steven discuss the differences between Twitter and Mastodon and reminisce about Twitter's early "non-toxic" days. Tune in to find out how to join Mapstodon, and how you can contribute to keep it running.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Gearing up for the first Geomob Finland on April 13th, this week Ed chats with one of the organisers: Antti Jakobson. Antti has been working with the National Land Survey of Finland for over 30 years. This year he is also leading a new Location Innovation Hub as part of the European Digital Innovation Hub network. Antti fills us in on what you can expect from a Finnish crowd and how it may differ from previous Geomob events. Ed will be speaking alongside speakers from Zero Gravity, ICEYE, Collective Crunch, and CGI. Tune in to find out why Antti decided to partner with Geomob and learn about the geospatial community in Finland.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

This week the focus is on the aftermath of the recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. Joining Ed for an important chat is Nama Budhathoki, Regional Director of the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Teams (HOT) Open Mapping Hub - Asia Pacific. Nama explains what type of help mapping can offer and how mappers across the world can help those struggling in Turkey and Syria today. Learn what it takes for HOT to step in, the importance of a thriving local community, and what steps HOT has made one month in. Thinking of doing something to help? Nama explains what is needed now and how to you can get involved.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.