I just saw this come across the NEARC list and wanted to share with Esri users out there. http://video.esri.com/watch/2533/unveiling-the-new-arcgis-professional-application-with-jim-mckinney-and-jack-dangermond The next generation of Esri desktop product. No word on when. =============================== Michael Smith MS GISP State GIS Manager, Maine Office of GIS State of Maine, Office of Information Technology michael.smith _at_ maine.gov 207-215-5530 Board Member, Maine GeoLibrary Education Chair, Maine GIS Users Group State Rep, National States Geographic Information Council [cid:image001.jpg@01CE8F67.DF0BF7B0] State House Station 145 51 Commerce Drive Augusta, ME 04333-0145 69o 47' 58.9"W 44o 21' 54.8"N From: Northeast Arc Users Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Denis Roose, Edgetech America, Inc. Sent: Friday, August 02, 2013 9:45 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: ESRI Q&A regarding essential skills... Hello everyone, FYI, Esri announced a new product for the desktop at this year's IUC, it's called ArcGIS Professional: http://video.esri.com/watch/2533/unveiling-the-new-arcgis-professional-application-with-jim-mckinney-and-jack-dangermond; fully 64-bit, multiple layouts, cloud-client and publisher, 3D, and more... But it's not here yet and no release date has been published... Happy viewing, -------------------------------------------------------------------- Denis Roose Edgetech America, Inc. Holder of U.S. Patent No. 7,681,126 An Esri Business Partner Since 1995 Tel: +1 804-935-6935 PO Box 4739 * Glen Allen, VA 23058 (USA) [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> * www.Edgetech-US.com<http://www.Edgetech-US.com> -------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- Original Message ----- From: Meghan McGaffin<mailto:[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Sent: Friday, August 02, 2013 9:32 AM Subject: Re: ESRI Q&A regarding essential skills... To expand upon your thought Peter (and to the Esri folks following along) I think it would be great if Esri could continue to work on developing better cartography tools for us to work with. Representations are neat but I don't have the time or inclination to draft new symbols or icons. I haven't seen a new north arrow since the conversion from 3 to 8. Many of the stock symbols that are preloaded into the software look very Microsoft 1995. I know I can download style sets and symbols from outside but it would be nice to see Esri work on updating their collection. I also miss multiple layouts. It's been ten years and I STILL MISS THEM. If the internet can get Betty White a hosting gig on Saturday Night Live could we get multiple layouts back? Meg McGaffin GIS Analyst City of Milford CT 70 West River St Milford, CT 06460 [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> 203-783-3393 ~ Objects in motion tend to stay in motion ~ From: Northeast Arc Users Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Sandgren, Peter Sent: Friday, August 02, 2013 8:58 AM To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: ESRI Q&A regarding essential skills... I agree on the cartography issue. I've seen too many maps in People's Choice or other map competitions that are way too busy. While we enjoy the complexity of creating a detailed map, we may forget to ask - is this map for me or for other people to understand? When a map tries to show too much, the main point can be lost, and there goes your audience. Peter Sandgren DESPP Div. Emergency Management Homeland Security 25 Sigourney Street, Hartford, CT 06106 ph. 860-256-0875, fax 860-256-0819 State EOC - ph. 860-920-3345 From: Northeast Arc Users Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Czaja, Daniel Sent: Friday, August 02, 2013 8:10 AM To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: ESRI Q&A regarding essential skills... I agree with Don, especially with #1 (cartography). I think all GIS people should take an art class. :) Dan Daniel Czaja, GISP GIS Coordinator State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Division of Statewide Emergency Telecommunications 1111 Country Club Road Middletown, CT 06457-9294 Phone: 860.685.8131 Fax: 860.685.8363 [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Keep Calm and Carry On From: Northeast Arc Users Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Don Meltz Sent: Thursday, August 01, 2013 8:20 PM To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: ESRI Q&A regarding essential skills... Thad et.al. - I'm going to go off the typical "learn-a-language" skills list a bit, because I think that's been covered many times in other forums. Here are three things that came into my mind after reading the other responses: 1 - Cartography - I cannot believe the number of times I've seen a map produced by "the GIS person" at a county or state agency that is so poorly done that it is undecipherable. Learn basic cartography and how to symbolize attributes properly. I'm not talking award-winning artistry here. Just learn the basics that allow you to highlight what the map is supposed to show and make it legible. 2 - Understand the limits of GIS - Believe it or not, GIS tools are not omnipotent (or is it omniscient?) Anyway, people tend to read into a map whatever they want it to say. You should be able to explain to those people why your map and/or data should not be interpreted that way. Again, good cartography tends to lead the map reader in the right direction. But you also have to be able to explain why the land-cover layer shows a road in the middle of a farmer's field. (It's not a road, it's a rock outcrop, and the data was not meant to be viewed at that scale). 3 - Know which tools to use in a particular circumstance - Get out of the ESRI rut and learn some OpenSource. I use OpenSource software, but I also use ESRI products (probably more than OS, in fact). Open Source is not for everyone. Then again, ESRI is not the only game in town either. Both sides have their pros and cons. If you don't know what they are, you cannot properly advise your client or employer on what tool to use. You don't have to be a pro in QGIS, GeoServer, and LeafLet, but you should know what they are, and in what circumstances they would be a better choice for your employer. If you know these things, you'll probably have a leg up on the competition. The interviewer will hear all about the other applicants knowledge of python and javascript (and yours too, hopefully). But these "skillz" will probably set you apart from the rest, IMHO. Probably depends on the type of job you're applying for, though. my2cents - Don ________________________________ Don Meltz Planning and GIS [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Office - 518-945-8088 Home Office - 518-799-5412 Mobile - 518-929-4806 P. O. Box 205 Columbiaville, NY 12050 www.donmeltz.com<http://www.donmeltz.com/> ________________________________ From: Northeast Arc Users Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Arielle Simmons Sent: Thursday, August 01, 2013 7:26 PM To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: ESRI Q&A regarding essential skills... I think Meg brings up a really good point...(re: "assumption that there are data and maps ready for mobile consumption"). GIS as both a field and a form of data is still relatively young. People are still coming to terms with what "GIS" is, what a "GIS" job should be, and what "GIS" data looks like (::ahem:: to all the craziness in the "GIS" format/standards arena). I think even though their are many generations of GIS expertise out there on the market, there is still a LOT of misconception of what GIS "is" because it really is still a young and forming field. Personally, scripting just helps me get through a (lot) of super crummy tasks. But, that said -- as useful as it is -- scripting only takes me so far. If I didn't have the geography background -- I would be useless in GIS. If I didn't have the planning background -- I wouldn't be useless in my office (re: communication with the staff...etc. etc_. ...maybe the original question really should have been: "What are two or three skills would be helpful in being able to use ESRI products efficiently?" as oppose to what are two or three skills does a "GIS Professional" need (I mean really, why are all the necessary 'GIS' skills programming languages?...that's a bit limiting to say the least**). ** In a 'young' and 'undefined' field as GIS maybe we should be a little more cautious when throwing out 'absolute' answers like these to when it is really a very broad-minded question (i.e. "What does a GIS professional need to know?") ** Arielle Simmons, GISP Planner/GIS Specialist Pioneer Valley Planning Commission -----Original Message----- From: Northeast Arc Users Group on behalf of Meghan McGaffin Sent: Thu 8/1/2013 7:00 PM To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: ESRI Q&A regarding essential skills... If you look at the question the person asks what skills are useful and marketable. Those may be very different things! Also, the answer includes the assumption that there are data and maps ready for mobile consumption. I know the field has expanded a lot but GIS isn't word processing, it's a folly to assume that the job market is beyond its first or second generation. How many out there are third generation GIS analysts in their public sector organization? Meaning that 2 other people have had your job before you. The private sector has more turnover of course. Just another 2 cents. Meg Sent from my iPhone On Aug 1, 2013, at 6:46 PM, "Meghan McGaffin" <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote: > OH HECK YEAH ADAM! > > I was thinking the same thing. I don't have skills in Python or SQL or JavaScript. I'm learning as I go. What I can do really well, and what has made the biggest impact in my work is my people skills. Technology that's developed without understanding the user or the data creator is like putting lipstick on a pig. > > Maybe this is only relevant in a municipal setting but it's my world. I think that if you can't develop bonds in multiple departments, learn how and why people do what they do and work to expand their comfort zone then your success will be marginal at best. > > I think some of my greatest achievements have been coaxing grumpy old techno-phobes into using laptops and maps. It's not for me to tell a guy who's been doing just fine in his work for 40 years that my slick new interface will make everything better. What I do is respectfully listen and get to know my coworkers. Once we're friendly I use GIS to get them better information in the easiest way for them to use it. Maybe it's a spreadsheet of hyperlinked documents sorted by street names and I save him the effort of digging through file drawers. Then maybe I get to borrow his VCR to watch his favorite black and white movie at Christmas (true story). > > Once you've built trust and relationships it's possible to integrate work flows and data. If GIS is the bridge that's gets people aware of each other and working together in new ways you're really affecting the fundamentals of your organization. I think that's worth a lot. If I have to fight with a guy to use a web service then my training isn't worth a dime. > > GIS operates in the fuzzy world between art and math, between computer science and the humanities. I think that if the field leans too heavily to one side that we'll lose the ability to bring new users on board. > > Meg McGaffin > City of Milford, CT > > Sent from my iPhone > > On Aug 1, 2013, at 5:21 PM, "Adam Kurowski" <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote: > >> Thad, >> I agree with SQL, Python, and Javascript, but I'm going throw a curveball in there. I believe GIS professionals can get too locked down behind their computers and easily lose people with too much geo-jargon. I'd love to see more discussion and development of GIS professionals' people skills, communication skills, and strategic planning skills. The button pushing is relatively easy to find training for, but working with other (non-technical) people to understand their problems, communicate ideas, and meet their needs is something that will never lose its worth and is highly marketable. >> >> Adam >> >> ------------------- >> Adam Kurowski, GIS Coordinator >> Town of Arlington >> 730 Massachusetts Ave >> Arlington, MA 02476 >> phone: 781-316-3385 >> email: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: "Dymkowski, Thad" <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> >> To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> >> Date: Thu, 1 Aug 2013 20:48:54 +0000 >> Subject: ESRI Q&A regarding essential skills... >> >> >> Colleagues, >> >> ESRI recently stated in their IUC Q&A ( http://events.esri.com/uc/QandA/index.cfm?ConferenceID=CCAEEE69-1422-2418-7F1D0EB8490B776D ) this particular question and answer: >> >> As a GIS professional, what two or three skills should I learn that will enable me to be the most useful and marketable? (Python, Javascript, SQL, etc?) I'd like to know what to learn that will be relevant for the foreseeable future. >> Some of the most frequently mentioned skills to develop are the ones you mention: Python and common database query languages such as SQL. HTML and basic JavaScript skills are useful for configuring web and mobile applications, which have become very important to organizations who want to share their authoritative GIS data and maps. In the ArcGIS venue, ModelBuilder is considered a "visual programming language" and one that many GIS professionals think is vital for documenting and sharing analysis workflows. >> Given the current pace of innovation, one of the most important skills employers will value is the ability to adapt as new tools change and improve the way work is done. >> >> I'd love to know what the "local" community thinks of this. Are they "right on", "not even close", or somewhere in between? Inquiring minds want to know! >> >> Kind regards, >> Thad >> >> ________________________ >> Thad J. Dymkowski, GISP >> G.I.S. Technician >> Town of Newington, Connecticut >> (860) 665-8592 >> >> "I have an existential map. It has 'You are here' written all over it." ~ Steven Wright >> >> >> >> >> ******************************************************************************************* >> The information contained in this electronic message may be confidential >> and/or privileged. >> If you received this in error, please inform the sender and remove any >> record of this >> message. Please note that messages to or from the Town of Newington may be >> subject to >> Freedom of Information statutes and regulations. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> <image001.jpg> > <image001.jpg> ----------------------------------------------------------------------- This list Maine GeoNews (GEOLIBRARY-L) is an unmoderated discussion list for all Maine GIS Users. 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