Presenters:
Wei-Hsin Fu, Technical Director for Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 389-6130
Lisa Lister, Reference Librarian, 389-6242

Introduction:

The access to geographic information, which composes the majority of the information we use to make decisions, used to be limited to people who had access to GIS (Geographic Information Systems). GIS is a computer-based system for capturing, storing, updating, manipulating, analyzing, and displaying geographically referenced information, although today people also use GIS for information about human brains and other planets. With the convergence of GIS and the WWW, geographic information can now be accessed by people world wide via Internet connection and a Web browser.

The advance of Internet GIS has changed how government agencies, research institutes and other organizations disseminate information to the public, and how we use geographic information in our daily life.

GLOBALIS is an interactive world atlas displaying data collected by United Nations and other international organizations. By visually displaying the data, GLOBALIS helps to create an understanding for similarities and differences in human societies, as well as how we influence life on the planet. It is a great data resource for research projects.
http://globalis.gvu.unu.edu/

Google Earth, one of the virtual globe projects, allows 3D view of the Earth with aerial photography and satellite images. Many large cities are available in high enough images to see individual building and even cars. It also enables users to view many layers of data, including parks, rivers, roads, borders of countries, locations of national monuments and many others.
With Google Earth, you can search for a location by entering an address (for USA, Canada, and UK only), coordinates, or using the mouse to browse to the location. It is a great resource for checking out a new place before you visit it.
There are three versions of Google Earth, free version, Google Earth Plus ($20/year), and Google Earth Pro ($400/year). With Google Earth Plus, you can import your GPS data or point data on a spreadsheet to Google Earth. With Google Earth Pro, you can import your own GIS data to Google Earth.
To use Google Earth, you have to first install the application on your computer and you need Internet connection when working with Google Earth. To download the free version of Google Earth at, go to
http://earth.google.com/download-earth.html

Local Maps
In the United States, government agencies at all levels have been working towards disseminating public information via interactive Internet maps. It provides an efficient way to provide the public information about their communities and help to create a sense of place:
Colorado Springs Online Maps
http://gis.springsgov.com/

Dynamic Maps:

• "CityView," which allows users to view City mapping, parcels information and photography data through an interactive dynamic interface. Orthophotography is at 2' resolution.
  
• FireWise Wildfire Hazard Rating. What is your wildfire hazard risk?

Static Maps:

• City planning maps cover comprehensive planning, zoning, and transportation
  
• Fire department maps show fir station location
  
• Police department maps include weekly crime maps, and area command maps
  
• Parks department has trail and park maps
  
• Other: Maps of golf courses, Colorado Springs airport, Springs Transit and GeoHazards.