"US lifts restrictions on more detailed satellite images"

Now satellite image providers can supply up to 31cm resolution imagery for commercial or non military purposes. The previous pixel size was set at 50cm, so the quality of the imagery to be obtained from the data providers will be almost twice as clear as currently allowed. I am sure it will not be long before the public mapping sites like Google Maps, Bing Maps, etc. include these into their public online map services. Apart from just viewing, this will also contribute to even greater accuracy in Remote Sensing results.

See the full BBC article here - http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-27868703

Recently published SA critical skills list

The newly published “Skills or qualifications determined to be critical for the Republic of South Africa in relation to an application for a Critical Skills Visa or Permanent Residence Permit” – Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002) – Section 19(4), to be read with Regulations 19(5), lists the following as being considered some of the critical skills.

The following specific geo-spatial related skills are listed:

• Land Surveyor
• Surveying Technician
• Geomatics Technician

Going through this extensive skills shortage list, there are many other occupations that depend on geo-spatial technologies listed here.

Please see the full article published by New World Immigration for the comprehensive list and details - http://www.nwivisas.com/nwi-blog/south-africa/new-critical-skills-visa-list-of-shortage-occupations-for-south-africa/#sthash.lDt9FLQM.dpuf

BBC Article - "The politics of making maps"

"Russia’s March invasion of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula has not just been a headache for diplomats: it has also been the latest in a series of problems for mapmakers. Should Crimea be shown as Ukrainian? Russian? Disputed?"

Read the full article here - http://www.bbc.com/travel/feature/20140602-the-politics-of-making-maps

Tips & Advice - CV's and Interview Prep

If you are looking for your first job and wanting to make a career move and need to create a new CV and also prepare for potential interviews and test, check out this great website - http://www.cvcentre.co.za/free-career-tips.htm.

Apart from the paid services provided, they also provide free advice and templates with regards to the following:

Here we guide you through the steps of the process:

1. Thinking About Changing Your Career
   • Changing Careers - Considerations
   • Career Planning
   • Graduate Careers Advice - 9 articles, including:
     • Professional Qualifications
     • Working Abroad
     • Going Freelance
   • Types of Jobs - Roles and Responsibilities - 36 jobs described
   • Resigning
   • Redundancy
   • Returning To Work
2. Searching for a job
   • Job Hunting
   • Being Head-Hunted
   • Targeting Your Job Search
   • Free Job Hunt Tracking Tool
3. Writing a CV
   • How to Write a CV
   • Get That Job With The Right CV - Book Extracts
   • The Perfect CV
   • Explaining Gaps in Employment
   • How Your Job History Affects Your Career Future
   • CVs and Resumes Compared
   • Writing a Covering Letter
   • Spelling and Grammar in CVs
4. Writing a LinkedIn profile
   • Why is LinkedIn Important?
   • LinkedIn Keyword Research
   • Create the Perfect LinkedIn Profile
   • How to Build Your LinkedIn Network
   • Stand Out From the Crowd on LinkedIn
   • Top 10 Tips for LinkedIn
5. Filling in an Application Form
   • Application Forms Guide
   • Writing the Perfect Application Form
   • Graphology
6. Preparing for an Interview
   • How To Cope With Job Interviews
   • Tough Interview Questions
   • Assessment Centres - How to Succeed
   • How To Give a Presentation
   • Body Language
   • Psychometric Testing
   • Online Psychometric Tests
   • Behaviour Interviews
   • Telephone Interviews
   • Top Interview Questions and Answers
   • Classic Interview Questions and Answers
   • Tough Interview Questions and Answers
   • Yet More Interview Questions and Answers
   • Interview Questions Tool

BBC Article - Ukraine maps chart Crimea's troubled past

Check out this BBC article - http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26476314 - on how historic maps chart the turbulent political past of the Crimea peninsula, Ukraine is currently going through another ownership battle.

Free online GIS Courses

Check out this article published on GIS Lounge during last year regarding free GIS training resources available via the internet - http://www.gislounge.com/learn-gis-for-free/

The options listed are:

• Itunes U - http://www.apple.com/education/it/
• Free courses from ESRI - http://training.esri.com/gateway/index.cfm?fa=search.results&searchterm=&search=Search&cannedsearch=2&OrderBy=CourseTitle%20asc&AllPage=All
• Harvard (Introduction to GIS) - http://hcl.harvard.edu/libraries/maps/gis/tutorials.html
• Opencourseware - Free courses from Universities - http://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm
• MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) GIS - Check the various links in the GIS Lounge article.

PLATO registration - Grandfather Clause Re-Opended

See this notice from GISSA below:

PLATO has allowed a further opportunity for persons to apply for registration as Professional Geo-information Science Practitioners in terms of Section 20(2A) of Act 40 of 1984 (as amended by Act 170 of 1993).

The closing date for applications is 30 April 2014, no late applications will be considered.

In short the requirements are 15 years relevant GISc experience with at least 5 years management experience. A degree, which does not necessarily have to be a GISc degree, will also be accepted as part of the total experience requirement.

NOTE this is only for the PGP Category and not for Technician and Technologist categories.

Currently there are very few registered Professional Geo-information Science Practitioners practising GISc in the country and after numerous consultation processes the PLATO council agreed to reopen the Grandfather Clause to provide individuals whom did not apply in the first round with the opportunity to be assessed. 

GISSA would urge all qualifying individuals to apply to ensure that we grow the profession with more registered professionals. Furthermore, many of the new tender documents have a mandatory requirement of a Professional Practitioner on the team to ensure good GISc work.

Begin the application process early as affidavits and proof of work experience are required in the application process and these can take some time to get hold of.


The Public Notice by PLATO and the Application forms are available on the GISSA Website at: http://www.gissa.org.za/plato-registration/grandfather-clause-pgp-application-2014

Latest South African Journal of Geomatics

South African Journal of Geomatics has just published its latest issue at - http://www.sajg.org.za/index.php/sajg/issue/view/12

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

We at Latitude Resource hope that you all have a Merry Christmas, Happy holidays and Prosperous 2014! Enjoy the break and come back rested for all the challenges 2014 will bring!

Please note our offices will be closed between 20 December 2013 and 5 January 2014, but we will be checking emails periodically for any urgent queries.

All the best

The Latitude Resource team

A different approach to map illustration

Check out this article - City Maps That Orient You Better Than Google Can

http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_eye/2013/12/02/circular_city_maps_archie_archambault_designs_minimalist_city_maps_printed.html

Here is a example map of Manhattan, New York by Archie Archambault:

Tracking icebergs via Remote Sensing

This is a great example of Remote Sensing at work where satellite imagery and aerial photography is used to track a massive iceberg that recently broke away from Antarctica - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-24912233

Good reasons why you weren't hired

Read this article in Careers 24 with regards to the reasons why you might not have been hired - 

The 7 reasons the article highlights are:

1. Attitude
2. Qualifications
3. Questionable History
4. Improper Dress
5. Nervousness
6. Misaligned Objectives
7. More suitable candidates

Please read the article for more detail - http://www.careers24.com/article/7-Good-Reasons-You-Werent-Hired/

CSIR GIS Internship, Stellenbosch

CSIR Built Environment unit has a vacant position for an Internship: GIS Application in the Planning Support Systems competence area. The incumbent will be expected to contribute to research work in the fields of urban and regional planning and regional development with a specific focus on GIS-based spatial analysis and planning support.

Key responsibilities:

• Undertake on the job GIS Accessibility training.
• Maintain GIS databases.
• Undertake GIS mapping.
• Establish and update reference databases for projects outputs.
• Produce tables and writing basic reports.
• Conduct literature searches.
• Conduct desktop research.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Bachelor’s degree with specialisation in GIS and subjects related to geography, town and regional planning, development planning or related fields.
• Must be proficient in the use of GIS and database. Proficiency in ArcGIS will be advantageous.
• Good interpersonal and team skills.
• Ability to work independently, as well as in an interdisciplinary team.
• Must be self motivated.
• Problem-solving and solution-seeking orientation.
• Must have good communication, presentation and writing skills.
• An interest in spatial analysis and map-making will be a recommendation.
• Must have working knowledge of MS Office Package.

Closing date: 08 November 2013

Apply here - https://candidate.csir.co.za/psp/hr91prd_cgw/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_CE.GBL?Page=HRS_CE_JOB_DTL&Action=A&JobOpeningId=303269&SiteId=1&PostingSeq=1

Where/How to find Geospatial/Geomatics Bursaries

If you are seeking Geospatial/Geomatics related bursaries, please see the brief description of where and how to find bursaries from industry professional bodies and government organisations:

"Plato as the Geomatics professional body co-ordinate all bursary applications on behalf of the institutes ie. IMSSA, SAGI and GISSA. IMSSA and SAGI contribute funds for bursaries towards undergraduate studies and GISSA (Geomatics Development Fund) towards bursaries for post graduate studies.

Various Government Departments and municipalities specially in the big metropolitan(s) takes interns and also make funds available for bursaries. 

Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) is one of the biggest supporters of bursaries towards the geomatics programmes. Bursaries only apply for studies at accredited universities and universities of technology.

Persons applying for bursaries can send their applications to PLATO, or the DRDLR, other government departments and large municipalities. Universities normally also have a list of institutions providing bursaries. Calls for bursaries are normally widely advertised.

Provincial Departments as well as the National Department of COGTA and Treasury has started to support GISc development and capacity building in rural Municipalities in recognition of the scarce skills and need to retain resources in the rural areas to assist with the IDP(s) and NDP(s) for infrastructure development announced by Government."

Here are the links to the mentioned organisations:

http://www.plato.org.za/

http://www.gissa.org.za/

http://www.sagi.co.za/

http://www.ims.org.za/

http://www.dla.gov.za/

http://www.ngi.gov.za/

http://www.cogta.gov.za/

Teach yourself GIS for FREE

Do you want to get involved in GIS, but can not afford to attend the very expensive degree, diploma or corporate software training programs? You can use the massive amount of free information on the internet to kick start your training for FREE.

I would definitely recommend any aspired GIS professionals to try and obtain a formal GIS qualification via the various degree, diploma, certificate programs in the long run, but you can learn quit a bit from the free online resources without spending large amounts of money.

I spent a hour or so searching the internet for free GIS related resources and came up with the following:

Introduction to GIS
http://hcl.harvard.edu/libraries/maps/gis/tutorials.html


ESRI Software This is the most widely used GIS software in SA and the world. The software is very expensive, but you can download a two month trial for free. It will be very good to have some exposure to this software though. They have free as well as paid for training courses.

• Training - http://training.esri.com/gateway/index.cfm?fa=search.results&cannedsearch=2
• Software trail - http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcgis-for-desktop/free-trial
• Support - http://support.esri.com/en/
• Forum - http://forums.arcgis.com/

QGIS Software
This is free & opensourse software, so you can download and use it for training or professional work.

• Software - http://www.qgis.co.za/en/site/
• Training - http://www.qgis.co.za/en/docs/index.html

Do an internet search for "opensource GIS software" and you will find many more options.

Learn GIS for free
Here are two links that could assist in finding free GIS courses:

• http://www.gislounge.com/learn-gis-for-free/
• http://freegiscenter.blogspot.com/2010/05/free-gis-tutorials-exercises.html

Data
Here you can find free data to use whilst training/learning or even for professional commercial work:

• Collect at your nearest NGI office - http://www.ngi.gov.za/
• Free online data - http://www.geocomm.com/

Apart from the few links I posted here, there is a large amount of free resources available on the internet and there is no reason why you should not be able to teach you quite a bit about the subject/software/data without having to pay for anything.

Good luck!

Department of Rural Development GIS Bursaries

The following two GIS related bursaries are advertised on the GISSA website.

1) The Geo-informatics Development Fund invites applications for research funding, attendance at recognised conferences in the fields of cartography and geographic information science and activities that support the advancement of the science of cartography and geographic information. 

Due date for applications:

a)    Research work: 30 September for the following academic year.

b)    Conference attendance: 30 April and 31 October of each year.

2) The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform is currently offering bursaries to qualifying applicants who are South African citizens and wish to commence with tertiary studies during the 2014 academic year. Fields of study include BSc/BA in Geo-Informatics/ Geographic Information Science and Postgraduate studies (Honours/Masters in Geo-Informatics/Geographic Information Science)

Due date for applications: 30 September 2013.

Visit http://www.gissa.org.za/education/bursaries for more information on how to apply for the above mentioned bursaries.

Excellent illustration of geographical representation of data

40 Maps That Will Help You Make Sense of the World, recently publish on Twistedsifter - http://twistedsifter.com/2013/08/maps-that-will-help-you-make-sense-of-the-world/

Some of the map titles:

• Where Google Street View is Available
• Countries That Do Not Use the Metric System
• Map of ‘Pangea’ with Current International Borders
• McDonald’s Across the World
• Paid Maternal Leave Around the World
• Map of Time Zones in Antarctica
• The World’s Busiest Air Routes in 2012
• Etc.

Latest South African Journal of Geomatics

The latest South African Journal of Geomatics can be found online at http://www.sajg.org.za/index.php/sajg

This version contains the following papers:

Compulsory Acquisition and Urban Land Delivery in Customary Areas in Ghana, by Emmanuel Offei Akrofi, Jennifer Whittal

The Evaluation of High Resolution Imagery for Monitoring of Bracken Fern, by Kaveer Singh, Angus Forbes, Mulemwa Akombelwa

Comparing Three Spaceborne Optical Sensors by Fine Scale Pixel-based Urban Land Cover Classification Products, by André Breytenbach, Corné Eloff, Erika Pretorius

Municipal Boundary Demarcation in South Africa: Processes and Effects on Governance in Traditional Rural Areas, by Cleotilda Nxumalo, Jennifer Whittal

Good e-Governance and Cadastral Innovation: In Pursuit of a Definition of e-Cadastral Systems, by Simon Hull, Jennifer Whittal

A Technique for Optimal Selection of Segmentation Scale Parameters for Object-oriented Classification of Urban Scenes, by Guy Blanchard Ikokou, Julian Smit

Google Streetview Trekker Projects

Google recently started producing Streetview images for off-road tracks like hiking trails, ski slopes, mountain biking tracks, etc. If you want to get involved in helping to map for South Africa, check out the details as published by Google here - http://goo.gl/SJjB8

"Thanks for your interest in helping us capture panoramic images from all types of terrain and landscapes using our Street View Trekker! We’ve kicked off a limited pilot program enabling third parties to borrow our Trekker equipment and take it to amazing places around the world that they know and love.
If you represent an organization such as a tourism board, non-profit, government agency, university or research group that would like to take photos with the Trekker for future inclusion on Google Maps, please fill out this form. Tell us more about your proposed locations and upcoming trips, and we’ll get back to you if/when there’s an opportunity for us to partner with you on a Trekker collection. Thanks!"

A great example of what they have done to date is illustrated by the Google Map and Streetview screenshots of a ski resort in Colorado.

Why not get involved to capture Streetview for Table Mountain, Agrabies Falls, etc.

Tilting the GIS job hunting odds

I recently came across this article posted on GIS Lounge, a great USA based online GIS magazine - http://www.gislounge.com/tilting-the-gis-job-hunting-odds/. This short article provides the GIS job seeker with some great job seeking/interview advice.

Article intro: "A common complaint I hear is how difficult it can be to find a job in GIS.  The search for a job in GIS can be challenging so the following are things to consider to make sure you are prepared for a successful career in GIS."

• Bring the goods - Get a qualification, do a course, get work experience ..........
• Make sure your resume (CV) sells you - Short, relevant and to the point ..........Don't forget to spell check.
• Clean out your Internet skeletons - Make sure your online presence shows off the "right" you ..........
• Do a peer review - Get your CV reviewed and prepare for interviews ..........
• Be innovative in your search - Search internet job sites, company website, government magazines, newspapers, etc ..........
• Be Flexible - Be flexible in terms where and what your first GIS job is, just get your career going ..........

Latitude Resource at GeoRabble, Cape Town

Chlodwik from Latitude Resource presented at the first GeoRabble Cape Town event held last week Wednesday at Mowbray Golf Club.

His topic, Is GIS a profession or a tool?, delivered within the GeoRabble rules of no longer than 10 mins, highlighted the different uses of geo tools, technologies & skills across a variety of industry sectors and how industry specific knowledge is affecting our industry. He urged people to keep an inclusive and not exclusive mind set when it comes to how, who & where GIS skills & tools are utilised. Having an inclusive mind set and staying aware of what is happening outside your own geo realm, will help you to keep moving with industry & technological advances.

The other topics included:

• 3D Modelling by Chris Tanner - He provided the audience with an amazing bird’s eye view on the level of detail and accuracy that can be achieved in 3D models created by combining aerial photography and LiDAR data.
• Low-cost 3D mapping of an urban environment using Structure from Motion by Sebastien Wenger - He gave us a passionate insight into his GIS Hons degree research project of the exciting technology of "Structure from Motion".
• Moore's affect in GIS by Mike Steyn - He entertained the audience with a summarised view into the past, current and future development in GIS. This thought provoking presentation highlighted the rapid growth in technology in general and how the geo world is following this trend.

The event in general was a great success and we look forward to attending more of these in the future. Thanks GeoRabble!

GeoRabble, Cape Town - Wednesday 17 July

The exciting new geo community forum, http://georabble.org/about/, will be held for the first time in Cape Town on Wednesday evening at 18h00. 

The format of the event will consist of five geo inspired speakers presenting various topics for 10 mins each, followed by open discussions, networking, food and drinks. 

The agenda for the night:

18h00 - Welcome

18h05 - Introductions

18h10 - Talk 1 - Chris Tanner: 3D Modelling

18h20 - Talk 2 - Sebastien Wenger: Low-cost 3D mapping of an urban environment using Structure from Motion

18h30 - Talk 3 - Wilhelm Herbst: Optimizing asset management with mobile GPS

18h40 - Talk 4 - Mike Steyn: The Moore's affect in GIS

18h50 - Talk 5 - Chlodwik Rossouw: Is GIS a profession or a tool?

19h00 - Open floor discussions, drinks, food & networking

I am really looking forward to this exciting event!

GIS Technician - Knysna

I came across this vacancy at Knysna Municipality recently.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS OF THE POST:
 Spatial data management
 Quality assurance of cadastral and sectional title data
 Data maintenance
 Manage GIS Licenses i.e. Esri License Manager
 Provide telephonic 1st line support to all the GIS users
 Log and track all GIS queries
 Monitor and maintain GIS users
 Data analysis, manipulation and spatial reporting i.e. creating maps
 Support GIS within the organisation
 Train GIS users
 Generate and maintain GIS procedures and policies
 Generate weekly/monthly monitoring reports

Please see the link below for details and how to apply - http://www.knysna.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/GIS-Technicial-IT-Software-Analyst.pdf

GeoRabble Launch Venues Confirmed

The GeoRabble Gauteng & Cape Town event venues have been confirmed for University of Pretoria and Mowbray Golf Club respectively. Please see link for further details on what you can expect and how to register.

http://georabble.org/south-africa/

Georabble South Africa

Very exciting news, Georabble will launch in SA in July of this year. The first meetings will take in Gauteng on July the 10th and Cape Town on the 17th of July. 

What is Georabble?

"GeoRabble is about celebrating the every day challenges and triumphs of working with location. Everything from the mundane to the glamorous, whatever gets your GeoRocks off.

We are a group of geo-obsessed people who want to celebrate the real work done by other geo-obsessed people, unfiltered by professional bodies, government and private company agendas and industry politics.

Anything to do with GeoTech, GeoDev, GeoBusiness, GeoTrends, GeoFutures, – you name it, as long as you’re passionate and want to share your challenges, triumphs, frustrations and pride in the work that you do.

GeoRabble is here to connect, inspire and really have some fun with what is the coolest tech around – and if you don’t believe that, then GeoRabble is not for you.

GeoRabble Rules

The purpose of GeoRabble is to have fun, share and inspire. There are a few simple rules:

• Celebrate each others’ triumphs
• Respect each others’ choice – no technology bigotry
• No sales pitches – this includes services, software, data etc.
• No company logos or ‘about us’ slides
• Keep it short – 10 minutes per talk"

Go to http://georabble.org/ to find out more and keep an eye open for your local event!

Portuguese speaking GIS Consultant - Cape Town & Africa

Urgently looking for a Portuguese speaking GIS Consultant to fill a dual technical and sales role based in Cape Town, with extensive travelling in Africa required.

Specification:
A national Remote Sensing & GIS business is looking to employ a Geospatial Consultant to join their team based in Cape Town. The ideal candidate will have a broad range of experience in GIS & Remote Sensing software, technologies and processes.

Requirements

• Cartography, GIS or Geomatics related tertiary qualification is mandatory
• Business development, sales or account management experience is essential.
• Practical experience in the GIS and/or the Remote Sensing industry is essential.
• Exposure to Intergraph, Erdas, Geomedia technologies will be a major advantage.
• Experience in compiling proposals, quotes and tenders are highly desirable.
• Competencies
• Excellent verbal, written and client facing communication skills
• Sales and Customer relation orientated personality
• Energetic and driven team player
• Other
• Travelling to other parts of Africa will be required.
• Salary – Base salary plus commission.

Where in France do the South Africans come from?

I recently came across this map representing the areas in France where the French Huguenot Settlers lived before moving to South Africa in the 17th century. Since I am partly from French decent, I found it really interesting!

You will see the well known Afrikaner surnames like: Jacobs, du Preez, Delport, Mouton, du Toit, Nortje, Senekal, Viljoen, Naude, Nel, le Rouz, Marais, Viviers, Cronje, Fourie, Malherbe, Celliers, Pienaar, Retief, Rousseau (Rossouw), Bruwer, du Plesis, Bruwer, de la Bat, de Villiers, Gouws, Meyer, Lombard, Jordaan, du Rand, etc.