GIS College List Update
If you have not visited the GIS Pathway colleges page, please take the time to look over it. There is a list of colleges with the types of degrees identified with some having links to specific articles describing the college program in detail.
Three new colleges have just been added to the GIS Pathway master list of colleges that teach GIS.
Harold Washington Community College
University of Maryland – College Park
Waubonsee Community College
If you know of a college that is not on the list that should be, please let me know. Send an email to contact [at] gispathway.com. Thanks!
Convert Polygons to Points in ArcGIS
October 12, 2009 by Timothy
Filed under ArcGIS, Data Management, GIS Tips
During analysis it is important to keep various techniques at hand as the data sometime requires creative thinking to carry out certain tasks in a feasible way. One of these techniques to have handy is the ability to convert polygons to points.
In ArcInfo there is a tool that allows this to be done.
ArcToolBox –>Data Management Tools –>Features –>Feature to Point
However, if you have a lower license, there is a simple workaround. (The headings are links to specific demonstrations of these steps.)
Calculate Lat/Long for Shapefile
1. Add X and Y fields to your polygon attribute table
2. Calculate the X and Y coordinates
3. Export the attribute table to a new *.dbf
Create Point File from XY Data
4. Add new table to map document
5. Add XY event layer
6. Export temporary XY event layer file to permanent file
Geospatial Technology Isn’t Dying Anytime Soon
With the ever changing of technology, there has been a lot that has come and gone with some technologies sticking around. I am reminded of the article put out by Computer World – The top 10 dead (or dying) computer skills. Most of these dying skills I have never had any part of. Technologies such as PowerBuilder, a strong competitor with Oracle was a client/server development tool. Networking has also expanded and left non-IP networks in the past. Also to think that non-relational databases existed and that now relational databases are vital to geospatial technology. Technology will always be evolving into something better, finding a career in technology is challenging enough when your degrees and certification have value today and can easily be without value tomorrow.
A new study by the ARC Advisory Group shows that the geospatial information systems market is projected to continue to grow. GIS is helping industries such as utilities and the federal government. The technology is vital and is helping about every industry grow and become more efficient. The study shows that the GIS market is expected to grow by 50% over the next five years. It even show the expansion to markets outside of the United States.
With the expansion of GIS technology, the GIS industry will continue to expand. Software is getting easier to use, the data is becoming expanded with higher quality, and the users are finding ways to better implement the technology. These signs are very good reasons why it is not going to die any time soon.
Check out the study: Geospatial Information Systems Market to Grow 50% Over Next Five Years
If you are not linked into GIS or Geospatial Technoloyg check out these resources to build a great career:
