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ESRI International User Conference, Day 3 home
Where do we go from here?
San Diego, CA --- July 27, 2005

"I find that a great part of the information I have was acquired by looking up something and finding something else on the way." 
-- Franklin P. Adams

''One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries.''
-- A.A. Milne

These guiding principles have served me well at the conference this year. I keep asking people, "What's been your favorite thing?" Here's what I've found:

  • Doing good works. Many attendees commented on Dr. Jane Goodall's presentation in the Plenary Session on Monday, and how ESRI has provided funding, technology, and other support to a number of worthy conservation and environmental organization.
  • GIS in schools. The presentation from the fourth graders at Waterville (WA) Elementary School was amazing. They've been tracking horned toad life cycles and habitats for four years now. These youngsters are incredibly spatially aware.  
  • Time series data. The ability of geodatabases to manage time series data is huge. Now you can ask, "What did the data look like in 1999?"  (or 1983 if your data goes back that far) In the past, GIS data was simply a snapshot in time. Previous snapshots were often discarded, as the focus was always on the most up-to-date information. Old data increases in value with time. 
  • Web Services will get there. Despite the grumbles about security glitches, the complexity of many its moving parts, and trying to understand someone else's object model, Web Services are moving doggedly ahead to integrate GIS into the fabric of enterprise applications. 

It's also been wonderful being here in San Diego - one of the best convention cities I've ever had the pleasure of visiting. Which reminds me of a third guiding principle of convention-going... 

"My advice to you is not to inquire why or whither, but just enjoy your ice cream while it's on your plate." 
-- Thornton Wilder

Andy

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