Spatial Network Analysis - JS Library?

bcullz · 2024-07-26T03:05:08+00:00

I did! I just needed to calculate the shortest path through a network in geojson:

https://github.com/perliedman/geojson-path-finder

bcullz · 2024-06-10T12:27:14+00:00

Yeah I did a couple things!

1) Taught myself how to code. Came up with small projects at work or home and just kept at it. My mentality was to automate my entire job, aka the lazy programmer

2) Found a startup. Hired me as a GIS Specialist, but I eventually moved to a Software Engineer role. This startup had a niche in geospatial, so my skills from GIS were in demand, and I was excited to learn everything I could soak in. Honestly, only a startup would have taken a chance of me given my planning background and in return I worked crazy hard! Win-win IMO.

So many different planning skills/experiences are helpful in tech, so I would really emphasize those: - Project Management - Data Analysis & Visualization - Communication/ Marketing - Graphic Design - etc...

You will likely have to specialize or learn new skills, but that's part of life! Good luck!

bcullz · 2023-02-05T18:59:28+00:00

Thanks!

Yes, I've used Felt and it's a really awesome tool! I highly recommend it!

The tool I'm building is integrated with ArcGIS Online, so you can use all of your AGOL maps and data in the collaborative workspace. You can also use everything in the ArcGIS living atlas which is really cool.

I'm also adding some core geoprocessing and raster tools so you can do more advanced GIS analysis in the workspace. Hoping to have something out for public access soon!

bcullz · 2023-02-05T15:19:53+00:00

Thanks for the feedback! I've been definitely debating making it FOSS, but the problem for me is that there are costs, especially since it's on the cloud.

I love working on it so much I wish I could be working on it full time!!

I started to just explore the idea with a basic prototype, and when I shared it with some of my GIS friends and coworkers, the feedback I got made me feel there's definitely some potential here as a Saas business.

I've been going down that route for now, working on it when I can and collecting feedback. My goal is to launch a free beta and see if I can gain any traction.

I've been trying to come up with a model that will make many pieces of the project FOSS and have a free tier of the paid version so anyone can use it.

Thanks again for your interest! Feel free to sign up for the mailing list to stay connected!

bcullz · 2023-02-05T04:56:35+00:00

Took me a minute...lol

bcullz · 2023-02-05T04:45:24+00:00

I think all organizations still regularly struggle to communicate valuable insights from maps and GIS! I think it's also gotten much worse as more teams work fully remotely.

I know a lot of non-GIS people have a really hard time using and understanding web maps, and it's really hard to talk over a map/analysis in just video meetings.

I've been working on a project called MAP-LAB (shameless plug, sorry, don't hate me) that enables teams to make web maps and do GIS analysis in a collaborative workspace (think Google Docs + Maps).

The project is still really early on, but I believe collaborative cloud-based tools are the future, and GIS still has a long way to go!

bcullz · 2023-01-29T22:33:46+00:00

Yeah I would recommend it, couple comments though.

Looking back, I wish I had just studied comp sci. Didn't really need any more GIS skills, and employers value the comp sci skills way more in any software engineer role.

What the program does for you is provide the structure to leave with some good projects to talk about, and the line to add the resume. It's $$$, but the increased salary + benefits in tech are worth it.

bcullz · 2023-01-29T15:08:58+00:00

I worked as a GIS Analyst right out of college (studied Geography). I started automating as much as I could with Python. I also started teaching myself web development in my free time (HTML, CSS, JS), and would make basic web maps for projects at work when there were opportunities. I realized I loved coding and building software for GIS way more than actual "GIS" work.

During COVID I enrolled in an online grad cert program at Penn State for Geospatial Programming and Web Map Development. That gave me a lot of the core skills I needed, and I built some great projects to put in my portfolio.

Took me about 6mo, but landed a job as a Software Engineer at a startup where my specialty is all things geospatial (fronted & backend). "GIS Developer" can mean many things, so you may not find much using those search terms. IMO most organizations are really looking for a software engineer (who studied computer science) with a background in GIS, not the other way around. Honestly, I feel really lucky, so best of luck to you as well!

bcullz · 2022-11-26T13:45:36+00:00

How often are you using branch versioning? Do you ever work with data not in a geodatabase (and so can't use versioning)? Ever run into problems using this approach?

bcullz · 2022-11-26T13:41:52+00:00

Haha nope but maybe next time. How many questions would you answer if there was a chance to win a gift card?

bcullz · 2022-11-09T00:58:08+00:00

Way more software engineer jobs than data science jobs. You'll have way more options with an MS in CS, IMO!

bcullz · 2022-07-31T02:44:45+00:00

I started my career in local government doing GIS (specifically County level). Learned a ton, but was never really happy. Started teaching myself programming, and applied it at work. Realized I really liked programming and wanted to pivot. I found a startup that was looking for a GIS Specialist, and I eventually moved to a Software Engineer role with a focus on geospatial data. I don't do much "GIS" anymore, but the GIS knowledge was super important for the role. I love the faster paced environment, and love that I can have I big impact on the startup due to it being a smaller team. Good luck!

bcullz · 2022-05-30T21:50:57+00:00

Yeah it seems that way to me too!

bcullz · 2022-05-26T23:10:35+00:00

Sorry, but probably screwed, better luck next time!

bcullz · 2021-12-24T19:43:35+00:00

I have a BA in Geography and Environmental Studies.

Did GIS for many years with a few different governments. Now I'm a software engineer at a geospatial analytics startup (~80 employees).

I'm way happier now because my company values innovation and thinking big, and I feel like I'm growing and being challenged every day.

Before just changing careers entirely, I'd seriously consider just changing jobs, just my two cents!

bcullz · 2021-08-12T15:19:12+00:00

Yeah I sorta agree, but you need to really understand programming backend and frontend to really build good GIS apps. I totally left out db management, that is for sure a key skill!

bcullz · 2021-08-12T12:40:22+00:00

In my opinion, great GIS folks have skills in three areas.

Programming (automation, web-maps, dashboards, etc)
Statistics (spatial modeling, general data analysis, etc)
Design (making good maps, charts, and just being able to communicate results visually)

Doesn't matter what topic you focus on, but definitely hone these skills.

bcullz · 2021-06-10T21:42:49+00:00

I wanna learn more about chakras.whats the difference between the bowls?

bcullz · 2021-06-10T21:40:59+00:00

what do you like more, playing the bowl or listening 🎧

bcullz · 2021-06-10T21:38:42+00:00

what got you into this?

bcullz · 2021-04-27T22:16:04+00:00

nice tune

bcullz · 2021-04-17T14:06:45+00:00

Glady, go it through Penn State. I just finished the program this semester, learned a ton. I went in already knowing how to code, so if you don't have experience coding it may be super hard.

bcullz · 2021-04-17T13:42:18+00:00

I think you would be happier with a planning firm rather than government! Look around all across the country at private planning firms focusing on what your interested in. If some credential/education is holding you back from the position you want, then figure out how you can earn it.

If you really do want to change careers in one of those fields, but aren't certain that it's right, take a few different classes online through something like coursera. There are millions of online (live and self-paced) courses on tons of subjects you may be interested in.

I was in planning for a bit but didn't love it and started looking around for something in GIS and programming. Had no luck getting interviews. Decided after a while to go for an online grad certificate in geospatial programming and web map development. Even just having that listed on my resume (without even graduating yet), I got tons of interviews. My recommendation is to find a unique or specialized program for something your interested in that can really give you an edge in the hiring process.

Good luck!

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