I had my first doctors appointment today in 14 years. We did manage to start a gameplan for my diabetes. Got a prescription for a new glucometer and I have built the spreadsheet as promised.
MY RESULTS
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
College Deadlines
For anyone intending on attending college in the State of West Virginia during the school year 2007-8, March 1st is the deadline for you to submit your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
This is not only for loans, but any grants (that is free money you will not have to pay back) you want to be considered for, this is your deadline to apply for them.
FAFSA
This is not only for loans, but any grants (that is free money you will not have to pay back) you want to be considered for, this is your deadline to apply for them.
FAFSA
First Dr appointment in 14 years
Yeah, you read that right. Today I have my first Doctor's appointment since I'm thinking 1993. It has been quite a few years since I either really needed to go to a doctor, had insurance or felt comfortable enough to actually go.
The reason I am going is simple, I am diabetic and will need to get it under control. It was a goal for 2006 that I did not meet, but the goal is going to be met for 2007 as it should be my primary goal for the year. Come to think of it I still haven't done my years goals yet, although 2007 has started out rather well and somewhat productive.
To beat my diabetes, I am going to track all my official measurements on a good spreadsheet and will share it on Googles spreadsheets for anyone who chooses to monitor my readings. I feel if I am open and honest about my results, it'll help me control it. I don't know if I'm going to share the spreadsheet to the world or just make it available to the family.
I actually started work a little early this morning so that there will be no time conflicts with me getting to the POC by 2:45. I know there will be a small amount of traffic that I'm going to have to go through, but I think I am going to be a little ahead of the traffic jam that usually starts at about 3:00.
The reason I am going is simple, I am diabetic and will need to get it under control. It was a goal for 2006 that I did not meet, but the goal is going to be met for 2007 as it should be my primary goal for the year. Come to think of it I still haven't done my years goals yet, although 2007 has started out rather well and somewhat productive.
To beat my diabetes, I am going to track all my official measurements on a good spreadsheet and will share it on Googles spreadsheets for anyone who chooses to monitor my readings. I feel if I am open and honest about my results, it'll help me control it. I don't know if I'm going to share the spreadsheet to the world or just make it available to the family.
I actually started work a little early this morning so that there will be no time conflicts with me getting to the POC by 2:45. I know there will be a small amount of traffic that I'm going to have to go through, but I think I am going to be a little ahead of the traffic jam that usually starts at about 3:00.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Is it softball yet
I'm ready to hit the field, what is the big hold up. The Rat up north said spring was right around the corner and that was 3 1/2 weeks ago, come on Phil get with the program. I'm ready to start throwing and spending the summer with the guys. This winter crap is already started to get old.
Anyone notice the days are starting to get noticeably longer? I know it's early to be starting to talk about spring, but hey, I think I have mentioned once or twice that I hate snow.
Ok, the weekend was pretty good. I managed to get a Glucometer that I'm going to use for a few days from Mom. My Doctor's appointment is Wed and the more education and understanding I have the easier it will be to keep the sugar under control.
I went to Kim's yesterday and had her look at my insurance package, or at least get me a minimal understanding of what it says. I left feeling I had gained some very important knowledge.
I'm anxiously awaiting for the first "Play Ball" of the season.
Friday, February 23, 2007
End of another work week
Fridays are always my favorite workday of the week, but I don't think that I am alone on this issue.
I haven't posted much this week, but there has been a lot happening if you believe that. I have two sisters who started pushing me into doing something that I said I was going to do for over a year now, really two years.
A special thanks goes out to Pam, Kim and Jean for pushing me into starting the procedures for getting my diabetes under control. I actually have a Doctors appointment this coming Wed. This will be the first doctors visit by by since Dr. Ghosal passed away some time ago. I'm thinking it was about 1993 that he passed away, so we are talking of going on 14 years since I visited a doctor. I am type II Diabetic, so I need to get control of this.
Wed Jean and I went to a Stores Online presentation about internet commerce. There will be an all day seminar we will be attending March 7 in Parkersburg. I've already seen their pitch and I'm going for the education to see if they can teach me something I don't know.
Their product is they are a Domain Host and try to sell people extremely overpriced turn key websites, however their seminar will teach you how to run the buisness. I'm smart enough to know that larger hosts also have packages out there for a small fraction of what these guys are trying to sell you. ie they will sell you the rights to a store for a yearly licensing fee of $2,800. For roughly 10% of that cost you can set up a starter merchant account at Godaddy plus a $0.35 per transaction fee.
Not sure of a product as of yet, but I want to hear what these guys have to say. I also have commercial tools on two different hosting accounts that I already own. I would like to find a product or product line that I can drop ship and make a few extra bucks on, I can grow and develop it from there.
Softball is just right around the corner, BOPARC is actually having their snowball sotball tournament this weekend at White Park. Before anyone asks, no I'm not playing in that tournament. I did pack a few snowballs this week and tested out the arm for velocity and accuracy. I did manage to burry two snowballs on top of each other back to back on a tree trunk from about 45 feet with a little velocity. Of course it's not like throwing a softball, but we're getting closer to that point.
I haven't posted much this week, but there has been a lot happening if you believe that. I have two sisters who started pushing me into doing something that I said I was going to do for over a year now, really two years.
A special thanks goes out to Pam, Kim and Jean for pushing me into starting the procedures for getting my diabetes under control. I actually have a Doctors appointment this coming Wed. This will be the first doctors visit by by since Dr. Ghosal passed away some time ago. I'm thinking it was about 1993 that he passed away, so we are talking of going on 14 years since I visited a doctor. I am type II Diabetic, so I need to get control of this.
Wed Jean and I went to a Stores Online presentation about internet commerce. There will be an all day seminar we will be attending March 7 in Parkersburg. I've already seen their pitch and I'm going for the education to see if they can teach me something I don't know.
Their product is they are a Domain Host and try to sell people extremely overpriced turn key websites, however their seminar will teach you how to run the buisness. I'm smart enough to know that larger hosts also have packages out there for a small fraction of what these guys are trying to sell you. ie they will sell you the rights to a store for a yearly licensing fee of $2,800. For roughly 10% of that cost you can set up a starter merchant account at Godaddy plus a $0.35 per transaction fee.
Not sure of a product as of yet, but I want to hear what these guys have to say. I also have commercial tools on two different hosting accounts that I already own. I would like to find a product or product line that I can drop ship and make a few extra bucks on, I can grow and develop it from there.
Softball is just right around the corner, BOPARC is actually having their snowball sotball tournament this weekend at White Park. Before anyone asks, no I'm not playing in that tournament. I did pack a few snowballs this week and tested out the arm for velocity and accuracy. I did manage to burry two snowballs on top of each other back to back on a tree trunk from about 45 feet with a little velocity. Of course it's not like throwing a softball, but we're getting closer to that point.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
New items added to blog
Over the past couple of days I have made a couple minor changes to my BLOG. On the right you'll see that I added a few MySpace pages of a few guys IO play softball with. There are additional ones that I could add from the team (wives), but unless they have a universally accessible profile (not private) I won't add them.
If there are are any profiles set to private that I haven't noticed yet I will probably remove them. I'm not a MySpace person and don't have an account. being I am linking it from Blogger, I have to assume that any reader also does not have a MySpace account.
The second element is at the very bottom of the page and I basically stole the idea from my sister Kim. She had a map on the bottom of her blog and me not only being a Geographer, but a GIS analyst I couldn't pass up the opportunity to add this nice little feature.
If there are are any profiles set to private that I haven't noticed yet I will probably remove them. I'm not a MySpace person and don't have an account. being I am linking it from Blogger, I have to assume that any reader also does not have a MySpace account.
The second element is at the very bottom of the page and I basically stole the idea from my sister Kim. She had a map on the bottom of her blog and me not only being a Geographer, but a GIS analyst I couldn't pass up the opportunity to add this nice little feature.
Oh the Humanity
Fir the past 24 hours, the #1 headline on probably the internet's 31 news source, The Drudge Report has ran it's #1 story as Brittany Spears shaving her head bald and getting a tattoo. Oh the humanity of this situation. In support of Brittany, I have chopped off my gorgeous golden locks also this morning. I also shaved, that is instead of getting a tattoo.
I wonder if the next news story will be that Oprah farted.
Friday, February 16, 2007
What I like about Friday
Of course Fridays are paydays and a start of a weekend for many. Lately I have started listening to talk radio in the morning on WAJR. I think my favorite part of the morning is from 10:00 -12:00 AM with Hoppy Kerchival. It is a way to stay up on everything locally and in in the state. Both political issues and sports issues and about anything anyone wants to talk about.
The part that I have really started to look foreward to comes on Friday during the last half hour of his show 11:30-12:00, right before I turn my radio off when the idiot comes on. It's called Steam Release. It's the portion of the show that happens once a week when people can call in and Hoppy just listens, it's a time for you to complain about anything you want. Whether it be something he said, or something that's happened or anything.
It's very entertaining and for me it's right before lunch on the last day of the work week before the weekend.
Just curious and I would love to see a few comments, what does everyone else look foreward to on Friday?
The part that I have really started to look foreward to comes on Friday during the last half hour of his show 11:30-12:00, right before I turn my radio off when the idiot comes on. It's called Steam Release. It's the portion of the show that happens once a week when people can call in and Hoppy just listens, it's a time for you to complain about anything you want. Whether it be something he said, or something that's happened or anything.
It's very entertaining and for me it's right before lunch on the last day of the work week before the weekend.
Just curious and I would love to see a few comments, what does everyone else look foreward to on Friday?
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Pod cast from Kim
My sister Kim has decided to find a new way to do podcasts. She has changed the way her website forwards and it n=may be pretty hard to find because everything now points to her BLOG. She did make one minor mistake though, there is no link to her new podcasts.
She called me today and asked if I could crack a new software for her, anyone who knows me should know it's not a matter of if I can find a crack, it's just how long. In this case, it wasn't too long.
Enjoy her new Podcast called Teach me to Scrap. Give it a little watch and listen, I think you'll enjoy it. I also have the link on my sidebar, unlike the one who created the podcast.
She called me today and asked if I could crack a new software for her, anyone who knows me should know it's not a matter of if I can find a crack, it's just how long. In this case, it wasn't too long.
Enjoy her new Podcast called Teach me to Scrap. Give it a little watch and listen, I think you'll enjoy it. I also have the link on my sidebar, unlike the one who created the podcast.
Moke coming home
Moke has finally completed basic and AIT training and will be coming home today. Pam, Angela and myself will be traveling to Pittsburgh International this evening to pick him up and bring him home.
I'll take my camera to get a few pictures foe everyone to share.
I'll take my camera to get a few pictures foe everyone to share.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Looking for something Unique to do?
If you are looking for something new to do that you probably have never done before and you want a lifetime of memories. This Saturday Night at Midnight at the Warner Theater is your chance to do such a thing.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show will be playing this Saturday at Midnight at the Warner downtown. You will never see another movie like this as long as you live, if you have seen the movie and haven't seen it in a theater, you are missing 99% of the show.
In short, the movie sucks, it may have one of the most horrible plots ever written. HOWEVER, it is an audience participation movie and there is rarely an empty seat anytime it is shown.
If you plan on going and want to be in on the fun, there are a series of things you will need to take with you.
1.) Rice
2.) Newspapers
3.) Water Pistols
4.) Candles or Flashlights
5.) Rubber Gloves
6.) Noisemakers
7.) Confetti
8.) Toilet Paper
9.) Toast
10.) Party Hat
11.) Bell
12.) Cards
13.) Hot Dogs and Prunes
For a detailed list of when to use these objects, check out the Official Fan Site.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show will be playing this Saturday at Midnight at the Warner downtown. You will never see another movie like this as long as you live, if you have seen the movie and haven't seen it in a theater, you are missing 99% of the show.
In short, the movie sucks, it may have one of the most horrible plots ever written. HOWEVER, it is an audience participation movie and there is rarely an empty seat anytime it is shown.
If you plan on going and want to be in on the fun, there are a series of things you will need to take with you.
1.) Rice
2.) Newspapers
3.) Water Pistols
4.) Candles or Flashlights
5.) Rubber Gloves
6.) Noisemakers
7.) Confetti
8.) Toilet Paper
9.) Toast
10.) Party Hat
11.) Bell
12.) Cards
13.) Hot Dogs and Prunes
For a detailed list of when to use these objects, check out the Official Fan Site.
Mon County Informational Site
I ran across this site this morning and thought I would share it with everyone. If you live in Mon County, it might be smart to have this bookmarked in case you ever need it.
LINK
LINK
Monday, February 12, 2007
OK Rat
I was nice to you on groundhogs day. I sent you a case of beer on Feb 1 so you could party in your own special day in 2007. You then turned around and did all of us a favor by getting hammered out of your little groundhog skull. I think you had one heck of a hangover when you couldn't see your shadow, or probably anything else for that matter, because our operatives hijacked the coffee supplies that were targeted for Gobler's knob on Feb 2.
Since then, last week you dropped the temperatures to a sub zero and putting the wind chill well into the double digit sub zero range. Most of the kids were off school last week here in West Virginia, so I'm sure none of them minded.
Now, I am to understand that you and Mother Nature have gotten together and plan on dumping a significant amount of that white crap that I hate that blankets the whole area.
Come on Phil, call ole mother nature and cancel this crap that is supposed to start falling tonight.
Since then, last week you dropped the temperatures to a sub zero and putting the wind chill well into the double digit sub zero range. Most of the kids were off school last week here in West Virginia, so I'm sure none of them minded.
Now, I am to understand that you and Mother Nature have gotten together and plan on dumping a significant amount of that white crap that I hate that blankets the whole area.
Come on Phil, call ole mother nature and cancel this crap that is supposed to start falling tonight.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Big Day yesterday for WVU Basketball
Yesterday, #2 ranked UCLA Bruins basketball team came into Morgantown and left with a 70-65 loss. This is our biggest win against a ranked opponent since 1983 when we beat #1 UNLV. We should have beaten #2 Texas last season and we did beat #3 Villanova on the road, but not since 1983 have we beat a team that was currently ranked this high.
During John Beilein's first year at WVU, we beat current defending National Champions Florida in Charleston, but they were #8 when we beat them and rose to a #1 ranking later that year.
Wake Forest a few years ago was ranked #1 early in the season, and we beat them in the NCAA tournament.
In case you missed it yesterday, I found a clip of the end of the game.
During John Beilein's first year at WVU, we beat current defending National Champions Florida in Charleston, but they were #8 when we beat them and rose to a #1 ranking later that year.
Wake Forest a few years ago was ranked #1 early in the season, and we beat them in the NCAA tournament.
In case you missed it yesterday, I found a clip of the end of the game.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Reformatting
I'm going to spend the day over at Mom's. Her computer is lagging very bad to a point where it isn't even really moving at all.
I always have the final solution, so rather than playing around with it and trying to figure out what is slowing the system down, I'm going to reformat it today and bring it back up to speed.
I always have the final solution, so rather than playing around with it and trying to figure out what is slowing the system down, I'm going to reformat it today and bring it back up to speed.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Spoke with Amy this morning
Got a few details from the accident. She's a little banged up because she raised her knees up before the impact and the airbag heit them. That can create a little bit of shock to say the least if your not braced for it.
She asked me to see if anyone has a free or a very cheap car. This was their only car and it was just bought three weeks ago. They are in need of a vehicle ASAP so they can get back and forth from work.
I guess they were coming down a hill near Sand Bank near the Kingwood Pike and had a head on collision with another car.
I'll keep everyone updated as I find out any information.
She asked me to see if anyone has a free or a very cheap car. This was their only car and it was just bought three weeks ago. They are in need of a vehicle ASAP so they can get back and forth from work.
I guess they were coming down a hill near Sand Bank near the Kingwood Pike and had a head on collision with another car.
I'll keep everyone updated as I find out any information.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Amy in an accident
Val messaged me a little while ago and said that Amy and Ralphie were in an accident this evening. The way Val is talking the car was totaled, but other than a few minor bumps and bruises from the air bag deploying both are ok.
I'll update everyone as I find out the information myself.
I'll update everyone as I find out the information myself.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Dumbest proposed law I have seen
Might be of some interest to you.
Ban Proposed On Walking While Talking, Listening To iPod
Ban Would Apply To MP3 players, Blackberrys
POSTED: 10:20 pm EST February 6, 2007
UPDATED: 7:18 am EST February 7, 2007
A state senator from Brooklyn said on Tuesday he plans to introduce legislation that would ban people from using an MP3 player, cell phone, Blackberry or any other electronic device while crossing the street in either New York City or Buffalo.
NewsChannel 4 reported that Sen. Carl Kruger is proposing the ban in response to two recent pedestrian deaths in his district, including a 23-year-old man who was struck and killed last month while listening to his iPod on Avenue T and East 71st Street In Bergen Beach.
"While people are tuning into their iPods and cell phones, they're tuning out the world around them," Kruger said. The proposed law would make talking on cell phones while crossing the street a comparable offense to jaywalking.
Some pedestrians said they were not worried about their safety while using their electronic devices while walking.
"I look for the light," said Venus Montes of Williamsburg.
"I'm still looking," said Lance Gordon of Far Rockaway. "It's not like I'm not paying attention."
Others said the proposed ban would not work.
"I don't think anyone's going to be up for this," said Patricia Lewis of Staten Island. "I don't think anyone wants this."
Other pedestrians said they thought the proposal was a good idea.
"It's too dangerous," said Nicole Lake of Jersey City. "Drivers don't pay attention and pedestrians don't pay attention."
© 2007 by WNBC.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Ban Proposed On Walking While Talking, Listening To iPod
Ban Would Apply To MP3 players, Blackberrys
POSTED: 10:20 pm EST February 6, 2007
UPDATED: 7:18 am EST February 7, 2007
A state senator from Brooklyn said on Tuesday he plans to introduce legislation that would ban people from using an MP3 player, cell phone, Blackberry or any other electronic device while crossing the street in either New York City or Buffalo.
NewsChannel 4 reported that Sen. Carl Kruger is proposing the ban in response to two recent pedestrian deaths in his district, including a 23-year-old man who was struck and killed last month while listening to his iPod on Avenue T and East 71st Street In Bergen Beach.
"While people are tuning into their iPods and cell phones, they're tuning out the world around them," Kruger said. The proposed law would make talking on cell phones while crossing the street a comparable offense to jaywalking.
Some pedestrians said they were not worried about their safety while using their electronic devices while walking.
"I look for the light," said Venus Montes of Williamsburg.
"I'm still looking," said Lance Gordon of Far Rockaway. "It's not like I'm not paying attention."
Others said the proposed ban would not work.
"I don't think anyone's going to be up for this," said Patricia Lewis of Staten Island. "I don't think anyone wants this."
Other pedestrians said they thought the proposal was a good idea.
"It's too dangerous," said Nicole Lake of Jersey City. "Drivers don't pay attention and pedestrians don't pay attention."
© 2007 by WNBC.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
WVU Football will be one for the ages
Imagine if you are Rich Rodriguez. You have two Juniors coming back next year in First Team Consensus All_American Running Back Steve Slaton and probably the single most explosive Quarterback WVU has ever had in Pat White.
Both of these guys if topped 1,000 yards last season and is indisputably the best Dynamic Duo in college football hands down. They are just way too explosive and just too fast for everyone. Even our backup Quarterback could step right in and replace White as he did against Rutgers.
This past season we were pre-season #5 and a few sports writers actually picked us to win the National Championship and we did finish in the top 10 playing as a banged up team late in the year. Basically all of our play makers on offense are coming back.
NOW, this is where it goes from very good to oh shit.
There is a High School Running Back who many experts are saying he is not only the best in this class, but maybe the best running back to come out of High School in quite some time. His name is Noel Devine and he was in Morgantown over the weekend. As per the article I just posted:
Pretty impressive accolades for the guy and a rather impressive statement from Sports Illustrated. All of the recruiting sites think this kid is the best they have seen in some time and could be an impact player for any team in the country.
Tomorrow is Letter of Intent day, it is the first day that a kid can sign a binding agreement for his scholarship the next season. Noel Devine just announced where he will be playing next year. I guess we are going to see that fastest backfield ever assembled next season in Morgantown.
Some video footage of him.
Both of these guys if topped 1,000 yards last season and is indisputably the best Dynamic Duo in college football hands down. They are just way too explosive and just too fast for everyone. Even our backup Quarterback could step right in and replace White as he did against Rutgers.
This past season we were pre-season #5 and a few sports writers actually picked us to win the National Championship and we did finish in the top 10 playing as a banged up team late in the year. Basically all of our play makers on offense are coming back.
NOW, this is where it goes from very good to oh shit.
There is a High School Running Back who many experts are saying he is not only the best in this class, but maybe the best running back to come out of High School in quite some time. His name is Noel Devine and he was in Morgantown over the weekend. As per the article I just posted:
He could be lining up alongside West Virginia star Steve Slaton next year in what would unquestionably be the fastest backfield ever assembled. He could become the elite playmaker Florida State has been missing for years. He could be the star new Alabama coach Nick Saban rides to glory.--Stewart Mandell
Pretty impressive accolades for the guy and a rather impressive statement from Sports Illustrated. All of the recruiting sites think this kid is the best they have seen in some time and could be an impact player for any team in the country.
Tomorrow is Letter of Intent day, it is the first day that a kid can sign a binding agreement for his scholarship the next season. Noel Devine just announced where he will be playing next year. I guess we are going to see that fastest backfield ever assembled next season in Morgantown.
Some video footage of him.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Hey Phil
Whats up my little rhodent buddy? It's 1 degree above zero with sub zero wind chill factors. I checked the weather report for Frostburg and it's -7 F there with a wind chill of -25F.
I thought by not seeing your shadow we could avoid this kind of crap. Come on Phil, live up to your end of the bargain and don't be mad because I was responsible for getting you hammered the night before your big day.
Think Warm.
I thought by not seeing your shadow we could avoid this kind of crap. Come on Phil, live up to your end of the bargain and don't be mad because I was responsible for getting you hammered the night before your big day.
Think Warm.
Friday, February 02, 2007
AIT Graduation Day
Today, Moke graduated from his AIT training in Mississippi and will return to Missouri for the next two weeks before returning home to Morgantown in the middle of the month as a boot camp and AIT graduate for the National Guard. He e-mailed a picture to jean, but the little shi....wait. The Big shit didn't send it to me. That's OK, I got it and have posted it for everyone.
YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THANK YOU PHIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think he partied it up last night and couldn't open his eyes up this morning. This means he did NOT see his shadow and that Spring is right around the corner.
Thank you Oh King of the Groundhogs.
ALL HAIL Phil!!!!!!!
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Dear king of the Groundhogs
Hi Phil, it's me again.
You may remember me from last year or even the year before. I am the guy who has asked you for the past two years to help me out. You see, I hate snow. I am a warm weather kind of guy and prefer to walk around in shorts and sandals and also enjoy softball season.
Can I once again ask that tomorrow morning when you come out of your box on Gobbler's Knob that you don't see your shadow so spring can hurry up and get here? I don't care whatever it takes, if you need a cold case of beer to get totally hammered tonight so you are too drunk to care about your shadow tomorrow morning that is fine, I'll have it delivered. Party it up and drink your little groundhog self stupid, just tomorrow morning make sure that your handler picks up the correct scroll and that spring will be right around the corner.
You knwo what they say about third time being the charm, if not I'll be selling goundhog meat tomorrow in Punxsutawney pretty cheap as long as the supplies last. Guess where my suppies will be coming from. Phil
Signed,
Someone who hates snow.
Nice article about the company I work for
Read it here
Articles
GIS Technology: An International Market of Enormous Potential
By Joe Francica
(Feb 01, 2007) Post a comment
Sponsored Links:
The Microsoft Virtual Earth Platform is an integrated set of services that combines unique bird’s eye, aerial, and satellite imagery with best-of-breed mapping, location and search functionality. It enables businesses to deliver innovative solutions and breakthrough customer experiences. Learn more at www.microsoft.com/virtualearth.
If you want to take a glimpse into the future market potential of geospatial technology growth, look toward Asia. In the 25 years since I was last in India - back when the Survey of India was still doing everything with paper maps and satellite image processing computers were locked behind government doors - the mindset of its leaders has changed. What I saw this time was a market of enormous potential for geospatial software, data and services, provided government policy continues to evolve.
Let's be clear. The changing fortunes of India revolve around money and economic development. India can't compete in a global economy without a much better developed infrastructure: better roads, better utilities and better schools. Geospatial technology can help the country get there and the top leaders in the Indian government have articulated a vision that supports the country's ambitious growth plans. If you listen to my interview with Sibal Kipal, the minister of Science and Technology and Earth Science, you'll hear this view first-hand.
InfoTech: The largest GIS services company in the world?
GITA Director Bob Samborski at Infotech's offices.
India, and specifically the cities of Hyderabad, Bangalore and Pune, have a concentration of software and computer network support companies setting up campuses for their workers. While in Hyderabad, I toured the offices of InfoTech Enterprises Limited at the invitation of Mr. N.J. Joseph, vice president of Marketing. GITA Director Bob Samborski and I (at right) saw first-hand where hundreds of workers (below) were supporting projects including database updates for Tele Atlas and attribution of a digital network for KPN Telecom, a Dutch telecommunications company. InfoTech is ISO 9000 certified and operates two eight-hour shifts, six days a week. InfoTech currently employs 1,900 data management resources and 300 software resources (consulting, application development, implementation services) trained as civil or mechanical engineers, providing GIS support using systems such as Smallworld, Intergraph and MapInfo. And this was only one of InfoTech's buildings; the company is looking to expand its facilities soon, as it takes on more work from companies outside of India.
Infotech's offices
InfoTech is only one Indian company expanding its GIS services. InfoSys Technologies Limited, one of the largest IT outsourcing companies in the world, is also providing GIS services, as are many smaller companies with headquarters in India. Support for our publication, for example, is provided by GISbiz, a Tennessee-based company that maintains a staff of 25 people in Chennai, India.
In his address before the Map World Forum in Hyderabad, InfoTech Chairman B.V.R. Mohan Reddy said, 'The whole of GIS now centers around an enterprise architecture. We also believe that the value is in data, data accuracy and data completeness as we move forward. Enterprises face a greater need to understand location. GIS is therefore no longer a complex technology of domain specialists. GIS is now demonstrating its value across the enterprise.' Reddy went on to discuss how Indian telecommunication companies and utilities now use this technology across their enterprises. At New Delhi Power, GIS is a backbone for the ERP and billing systems. Reddy said that GIS is now the front end of the company's enterprise.
Indian Transformation
In the past ten years, Hyderabad has been transformed into a 'high tech town' which boasts the 'Cybercity' and 'Hitex' neighborhoods. As enclaves for technology workers spring up among shanty towns, the standard of living is raised among all citizens. Progress has been supported because the labor pool is large and expenses are low, in comparison to pay scales in more developed countries. A larger, better-educated workforce raises taxes for infrastructure projects and thus creates a need for GIS technology to manage the growth. It is a scenario being repeated all over India.
However, there is a problem. The demand for educated GIS professionals will far outstrip the supply. India is actually exporting its brainpower to countries like Malaysia, and the Indian government realizes it has a 'capacity building' problem. More training is needed in geospatial technology to support a growing number of projects inside the country. This was a recurring theme of the conference and it's a theme being reiterated at conferences I've attended in the U.S., as well.
The enormous growth of GIS in India is the result of some relaxation of government control of its data. Geospatial data, though not necessarily widely available, are more accessible. Several private companies that provide aerial surveying have complained that they cannot obtain permission to fly. The government still controls the acquisition of imagery and other data. That mindset may soon be changing. I spoke with one person in the Indian government's Ministry of Communication and Information Technology who is responsible for posting election results on a map of India on a website. Though somewhat fearful that other officials might step in to shut down the site, the department pressed ahead; there were an enormous number of people hitting the site for information. Success stories like that illustrate a demand for more open and accessible digital geospatial data.
Dr. Krishnaswami Kasturirangan, a member of the upper house of the Indian parliament, called GIS a 'public utility.' In his address, he articulated a fundamental understanding of using GIS in helping to improve the economic development process in his country. It's clear that the vision is being developed from the top down in India. Some government departments are affecting the way in which infrastructure projects are planned and they are looking to democratize data as long as certain security constraints are in place. Though these decision makers are extremely tuned into the needs of the country, they are also keenly aware of the limitations of their capacity to affect change. Still, with such a large part of the country as yet underdeveloped, GIS will play a major roll for years to come in helping this and other countries build an economic foundation through more efficient use of technology.
The Genie is Out of the Bottle
It may be more correct to say that geospatial technology, not just geographic information system software, will capitalize on the need to support a demand for location-based information. We are in transition as a technology sector. We are growing rapidly from one which has been supported by professionals to a broader, more informed user community that will demand greater access to geospatial information through different types of software solutions, Web services and consumer products. And the growth potential for GIS in countries like China and Russia is impossible to measure, given their similar needs for infrastructure development. These countries have yet to fully open their markets and unleash control of geospatial data.
But the genie is already out of the bottle. Satellites orbit the earth collecting more data of higher spatial resolution. Who will use them? How will they be used? We just can't measure the potential right now. Even the Russians, through a government supported company like Sovzond, want to market satellite data. The result will be a borderless market for information to a global community. The world will benefit; GIS will benefit.
Articles
GIS Technology: An International Market of Enormous Potential
By Joe Francica
(Feb 01, 2007) Post a comment
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If you want to take a glimpse into the future market potential of geospatial technology growth, look toward Asia. In the 25 years since I was last in India - back when the Survey of India was still doing everything with paper maps and satellite image processing computers were locked behind government doors - the mindset of its leaders has changed. What I saw this time was a market of enormous potential for geospatial software, data and services, provided government policy continues to evolve.
Let's be clear. The changing fortunes of India revolve around money and economic development. India can't compete in a global economy without a much better developed infrastructure: better roads, better utilities and better schools. Geospatial technology can help the country get there and the top leaders in the Indian government have articulated a vision that supports the country's ambitious growth plans. If you listen to my interview with Sibal Kipal, the minister of Science and Technology and Earth Science, you'll hear this view first-hand.
InfoTech: The largest GIS services company in the world?
GITA Director Bob Samborski at Infotech's offices.
India, and specifically the cities of Hyderabad, Bangalore and Pune, have a concentration of software and computer network support companies setting up campuses for their workers. While in Hyderabad, I toured the offices of InfoTech Enterprises Limited at the invitation of Mr. N.J. Joseph, vice president of Marketing. GITA Director Bob Samborski and I (at right) saw first-hand where hundreds of workers (below) were supporting projects including database updates for Tele Atlas and attribution of a digital network for KPN Telecom, a Dutch telecommunications company. InfoTech is ISO 9000 certified and operates two eight-hour shifts, six days a week. InfoTech currently employs 1,900 data management resources and 300 software resources (consulting, application development, implementation services) trained as civil or mechanical engineers, providing GIS support using systems such as Smallworld, Intergraph and MapInfo. And this was only one of InfoTech's buildings; the company is looking to expand its facilities soon, as it takes on more work from companies outside of India.
Infotech's offices
InfoTech is only one Indian company expanding its GIS services. InfoSys Technologies Limited, one of the largest IT outsourcing companies in the world, is also providing GIS services, as are many smaller companies with headquarters in India. Support for our publication, for example, is provided by GISbiz, a Tennessee-based company that maintains a staff of 25 people in Chennai, India.
In his address before the Map World Forum in Hyderabad, InfoTech Chairman B.V.R. Mohan Reddy said, 'The whole of GIS now centers around an enterprise architecture. We also believe that the value is in data, data accuracy and data completeness as we move forward. Enterprises face a greater need to understand location. GIS is therefore no longer a complex technology of domain specialists. GIS is now demonstrating its value across the enterprise.' Reddy went on to discuss how Indian telecommunication companies and utilities now use this technology across their enterprises. At New Delhi Power, GIS is a backbone for the ERP and billing systems. Reddy said that GIS is now the front end of the company's enterprise.
Indian Transformation
In the past ten years, Hyderabad has been transformed into a 'high tech town' which boasts the 'Cybercity' and 'Hitex' neighborhoods. As enclaves for technology workers spring up among shanty towns, the standard of living is raised among all citizens. Progress has been supported because the labor pool is large and expenses are low, in comparison to pay scales in more developed countries. A larger, better-educated workforce raises taxes for infrastructure projects and thus creates a need for GIS technology to manage the growth. It is a scenario being repeated all over India.
However, there is a problem. The demand for educated GIS professionals will far outstrip the supply. India is actually exporting its brainpower to countries like Malaysia, and the Indian government realizes it has a 'capacity building' problem. More training is needed in geospatial technology to support a growing number of projects inside the country. This was a recurring theme of the conference and it's a theme being reiterated at conferences I've attended in the U.S., as well.
The enormous growth of GIS in India is the result of some relaxation of government control of its data. Geospatial data, though not necessarily widely available, are more accessible. Several private companies that provide aerial surveying have complained that they cannot obtain permission to fly. The government still controls the acquisition of imagery and other data. That mindset may soon be changing. I spoke with one person in the Indian government's Ministry of Communication and Information Technology who is responsible for posting election results on a map of India on a website. Though somewhat fearful that other officials might step in to shut down the site, the department pressed ahead; there were an enormous number of people hitting the site for information. Success stories like that illustrate a demand for more open and accessible digital geospatial data.
Dr. Krishnaswami Kasturirangan, a member of the upper house of the Indian parliament, called GIS a 'public utility.' In his address, he articulated a fundamental understanding of using GIS in helping to improve the economic development process in his country. It's clear that the vision is being developed from the top down in India. Some government departments are affecting the way in which infrastructure projects are planned and they are looking to democratize data as long as certain security constraints are in place. Though these decision makers are extremely tuned into the needs of the country, they are also keenly aware of the limitations of their capacity to affect change. Still, with such a large part of the country as yet underdeveloped, GIS will play a major roll for years to come in helping this and other countries build an economic foundation through more efficient use of technology.
The Genie is Out of the Bottle
It may be more correct to say that geospatial technology, not just geographic information system software, will capitalize on the need to support a demand for location-based information. We are in transition as a technology sector. We are growing rapidly from one which has been supported by professionals to a broader, more informed user community that will demand greater access to geospatial information through different types of software solutions, Web services and consumer products. And the growth potential for GIS in countries like China and Russia is impossible to measure, given their similar needs for infrastructure development. These countries have yet to fully open their markets and unleash control of geospatial data.
But the genie is already out of the bottle. Satellites orbit the earth collecting more data of higher spatial resolution. Who will use them? How will they be used? We just can't measure the potential right now. Even the Russians, through a government supported company like Sovzond, want to market satellite data. The result will be a borderless market for information to a global community. The world will benefit; GIS will benefit.
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