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

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe… making data-backed decisions

Counting is one of the basic things we do when we make decisions. Do I need to buy one or two apples?  How many pairs of pants do I want? The ability to make a judgement is backed by both what we know and don’t know. Expand this to grander decisions like how to build … Continue reading Eeny, meeny, miny, moe… making data-backed decisions

Google Earth, Maps, GPS tracks and geotagged photos

Google Earth is an amazing program that brings the world to you. It’s also an amazing tool that also puts you in the driving seat of geography! Not entirely a Geographic Information System (which most normal people don’t need in any case), it does make it easy for you to interpret and “map” your own … Continue reading Google Earth, Maps, GPS tracks and geotagged photos

October 13th is the International Day for Disaster Reduction

One of the things I’m doing at work is preparing for the International Day for Disaster Reduction on October 13th. This is the day when government, international organizations, and communities celebrate and promote reducing disasters. In most cases, “disasters” are labeled this way because it has an impact on human society. It’s kind of like … Continue reading October 13th is the International Day for Disaster Reduction

“Hiking” through Manhattan

Because we wanted to get out and do some walking – a great way to see NYC by the way – and to meet some new people, Muriel and I joined a walk, or as our guide Dorian told us, an “urban hike”. I’ve been on hikes through the countryside and around islands before, so … Continue reading “Hiking” through Manhattan

Day 4 (#GISDay) – It's all about the data!

More and more people keep attending the afternoon seminars… including today’s presentation by the National Statistics Directorate of Timor-Leste. One of the key things in this 10-year old country is to get a better understanding about its population and what are the challenges to its growth. Timor-Leste will be conducting its national census next year … Continue reading Day 4 (#GISDay) – It's all about the data!

Day 3 (#GISDay) – Timor-Leste event is half-way through

There’s 3 days left to With maps, we build the future of Timor-Leste at Casa Europa. I’ll try to get more pictures up of the different things that are going on for the week-long event. After three days, there’s been plenty of positive response from the event – a lot of people didn’t realize that … Continue reading Day 3 (#GISDay) – Timor-Leste event is half-way through

Day 2 (#GISDay) – Kids, military, uni students come for a visit

With maps, we build the future of Timor-Leste keeps going strong at Casa Europa. Day 2 was as popular as the first day. This time around there was a class field trip from the Dili International School who came for a visit – as you can see they were very interested in the 1:50000 floor … Continue reading Day 2 (#GISDay) – Kids, military, uni students come for a visit

Day 1 (#GISDay) – Success in Timor-Leste!

Coinciding with GIS Day, the first day of the GIS/mapping event in Timor-Leste (With maps, we build the future of Timor-Leste) was a success. Given this type of event is the first of its kind in the country, the opening day went smoothly… although there were some bumps along the way as I expected. But … Continue reading Day 1 (#GISDay) – Success in Timor-Leste!

Ho Mapa, Ita Harii Futuru Timor-Leste (#GISDay)

I’m part of the Timor-Leste Geographic Information Group (GIG). For the past few months we’ve been planning to organize an event to raise awareness about mapping and geographic information systems (GIS) work that is going on in Timor-Leste. There isn’t much information about GIS and mapping in Timor. So this event hopes to educate the … Continue reading Ho Mapa, Ita Harii Futuru Timor-Leste (#GISDay)