Google Maps API
I've signed up for my own Google API key. I've spent a few minutes researching the "mash-ups" that are out there and I must say I'm impressed with the added quality that the Google Maps interface gives to even the simplest or dare I say lowliest (see www.gawker.com) of applications. I don't see how ESRI is going to be able to directly compete with this particular portion of the GIS market without somehow offering a vast improvement over the Google Data (I don't see that being an easy feat) or by providing the same sorts of "free" services to the web-mapping realm. Someone will have to pay at sometime, but so long as google is providing so much data and service at no cost I don't see how the ESRI webservices model will survive as it stands. I hate being a naysayer, but I think GIS professionals the world over are beginning to take note of the power that Google is providing at little to no cost to the end user.
This all being said, help me understand what it is in this whole mash of things that I am overlooking or simply don't understand.
This all being said, help me understand what it is in this whole mash of things that I am overlooking or simply don't understand.
posted by Matt Petre at 12:50 PM
1 Comments:
I'm not sure I actually understand your question.
I'm not a GIS professional, but a GIS hobbyist that got involved just before GoogleMaps came out. That said, GoogleMaps and follow-ons have opened up GIS in a friendly way the rest of the GIS community never did.
I have GRASS on my computer, but I've never run it. Too much effort, for little reward. Instead, I can spend an hour putting a googlemap on a site and then let others share the info.
I think that's a big thing. People are producing for others to consume. Using something like ESRI or other tools you can make maps, but they have limited use/reach
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