How to calculate urban population by country using satellite data

These days, it’s not often I get asked for my GIS/mapping skills – maybe it’s just because “making maps” aren’t as interesting now that there are so many tools at our disposal. But sometimes, just sometimes, there are some questions that a simple map with dots can’t answer. So when a request came up to … Continue reading How to calculate urban population by country using satellite data

Mapping data from Indonesia’s disaster information portal

Maps are great for decision-making (ex. where’s the nearest restaurant, how to get from point A to B)… they’re even better when you know how use them to help analyze data and information (thank you geography degree). A lot of data visualization automation software exists now that can produce charts, graphs and even maps to … Continue reading Mapping data from Indonesia’s disaster information portal

Disaster graphics get bronze prize for international information design award

One of the buzz words these days is “infographics”. While these can range from just simple pie graphs to complex flowcharts, the best aren’t necessary the most “designed”. The most effective information graphics are ones that can communicate an idea or story and that can help the audience turn information into knowledge. This also means … Continue reading Disaster graphics get bronze prize for international information design award

Charts don’t explain themselves

It’s a scary fact of life these days that people take figures and numbers at face value, and consider them authoritative when it comes from the “source” or by the media, yet a lot of times they are taken out of context to serve a purpose like selling an idea or a service. Maybe it’s … Continue reading Charts don’t explain themselves

Data is good. Data is bad. Where’s the middle ground?

It’s amazing to see the use of technology to track, monitor, and collect information and data from things that we do, like sports, to help improve and enhance what we do. I think it’s called life-hacking and if you’re thinking of resolutions for the New Year, there’s a whole website about doing just that. Yet … Continue reading Data is good. Data is bad. Where’s the middle ground?

Technology isn’t going to solve all our problems, just ask Johnny Depp

A couple of weeks ago I watched Johnny Depp’s new movie Transcendence – spoiler alert: it’s a love story (kind of) – and found the issues the movie touched on quite intriguing. A lot of it focused on people’s reliance on technology and how it was suppose to give us all the answers to life. … Continue reading Technology isn’t going to solve all our problems, just ask Johnny Depp

Data isn’t everything – let’s balance it with common sense

I love visualizations, data, and information and finding creative ways to turn it into something interesting and useful. It’s a great way to take advantage of the analytical and creative sides of the brain. At the same time, I’m quite aware that even if the world is becoming more visual and addicted to stats and … Continue reading Data isn’t everything – let’s balance it with common sense

Infographics: the gourmet or fast food version?

Great cuisine is an art form with a purpose – to make us feel good and full. I had this amazing dessert in a Les Oliviers in the South of France over the Christmas holidays. It’s made of pineapple, passion fruit, cream, sugar and probably plenty of other ingredients – each of them are simple … Continue reading Infographics: the gourmet or fast food version?

Getting down with tech to solve crime and reduce vomit

Social media isn’t just for “fun”. All the sharing that people do via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. can actually help fight crime, improve hygiene, and provide insight into how to improve services (like having less traffic jams) and keep us safe. While the humanitarian community has been looking into how tech can be used to … Continue reading Getting down with tech to solve crime and reduce vomit

The Open Data Revolution

There’s a bit of a revolution going under most people’s noses and it is probably something most people won’t think about even if we need this revolution whether we realize it or not. And at the same time people contribute to this revolution even if they don’t know about it. It’s a good thing – … Continue reading The Open Data Revolution