The Spinning Compass: GIS Student Resources

Resources and information for students

[thespinningcp]

Revamping my blog

So, I am thinking about revamping my blog, talking about my experiences in year two and some new topics that I find myself facing in year three. 

Year Two: Geospatial Courses, Becoming a tutor, Thesis or Non-Thesis 

We shall see what else I come up with. 

[mapsontheweb]

A line of Colorados from the Equator to the North Pole using the Mercator projection.

[thespinningcp]

Geography Student Slack

Would folks find it useful if there was a geography student slack? 

[thespinningcp]

10 Great Twitter Chats for Grad Students

10 Great Twitter Chats for Grad Students: Looking for some new networking opportunities? ...

I know i havent been around in forever! I am so sorry. Grad school will keep you so busy. But now that summer is here, I should have some more free time to dedicate to my blog. 

The link is for twitter chats that focus on grad students. If you are like me and are having a hard time getting started with your thesis (Gah!) this may be a helpful resource. 

[thespinningcp]

Ah Decisions

So, I know i have not posted in the last three or four months, I am sorry! I have been swamped with working two jobs, ending one job, starting another and finally sitting down and making decisions surrounding my thesis.

::Phew::

Now that I am somewhat caught up on life, Let me tell you about my decisions surrounding my thesis.

I have a TOPIC!!! no research question yet, but i am working on it. I have met with my thesis advisor this semester and have hammered out some thing that I need to have completed for this semester in order to be on track for my thesis.

So in addition to reading some articles from last semester and collecting data, I have to make some decisions about if I want to use Open Source Software or not. Well, I have decided... drum roll please..

I will do my entire thesis on an open source system! From the Operating System, to the Browser to the cloud storage, everything I do concerning my thesis will consist of using open source software to do so.

I feel like this is a HUGE decision, because using an open source operating systems and various other tools forces me to commit to my thesis.

So here we go, lets get serious!

[thespinningcp]

Scrivener for Mac OS X and Windows is an Award-winning writing software for novelists, scriptwriters, academics or anyone working on long texts requiring research and structure, or taming the chaotic process of writing. If you are looking for the best Book Writing Software, take us for a free 30 day trial period. Finish your ebooks, short stories, novels and other writing projects today quickly with Scrivener.

Writing Tools for develop your thesis is important. 

[thespinningcp]

Thesis Tools

 So far this semester, I have managed to present my thesis idea, and obtain a thesis advisor. And in starting to build my thesis by brain storming and documenting resources etc  I am wondering if there are better tools for getting the job done? Currently i am using trello to brainstorm and document my resources and findings. But I am curious to know what tools other graduate students in GIS/Geography are using to develop and work on their thesis? 

[thespinningcp]

Census Reporter provides useful facts about every place in America. Compare places using tables and maps, download data, and embed charts on your site!

Newly found resource that, i think may help a few of you out. Enjoy :) 

[thespinningcp]

PostGIS Resources

If you are looking to learn about PostGIS here are some resources I have found thanks to the #gistribe: 

PostGIS In Action, i have heard that this book is stellar and a great first step in learning about PostGIS. 

Boundless Geo has a great resource and modules for PostGIS: http://suite.opengeo.org/opengeo-docs/dataadmin/index.html 

QGIS also has a module related to PostGIS that seems to be very helpful, when learning. : http://docs.qgis.org/testing/en/docs/training_manual/spatial_databases/index.html

So these resources will be the next series of items i add to the GIS Student resource spreadsheet i update every 6 months. 

[sweetcarolinablues]

Happy GIS Day! I just used GIS to name this location! How will you use maps today? #gis #gisday #esri #maps #geography (at Wilson County- Miller Road Building)

[thespinningcp]

Happy GIS Day! I use GIS to understand where vulnerable populations are located in and around Denver, 

[thespinningcp]

10 GIS Career Tips to Help Find a GIS Job - GIS Geography

If you’re in search for a GIS job, we list 10 GIS career tips to instantly help you start mapping like a rockstar (and get paid to do it).

GIS and Career tips, Good article about this topic. Happy GIS Day! 

[thespinningcp]

Thesis Topic Approved!

So my thesis topic is the following: 

Placement of affordable housing, along the front range and the various risks that low income communities are exposed to. 

It was approved Now to work on: 

1.) Defining what is affordable housing 

2.) Deciding on a scale  and location 

3.) Deciding what Hazards i want to focus on. 

and so it begins. #GradSchool

[becauseofyou-campaign]

[thespinningcp]

Stop Bullying - Say Something 

[thespinningcp]

Music for Studying

What music do you like to listen to when you are studying? 

[thespinningcp]

Maptime! The bridge between Academia and The GIS Community.

[thespinningcp]

Lat long is a geographic tool which helps you to get latitude and longitude of a place or city and find gps coordinates on map, convert lat long, gps, dms and utm.

Tools for Georeferencing - find them and use em’ 

[thespinningcp]

Peace Corps Office of Innovation Spring 2016 Mapping Internship DC-based and Virtual DC-based GIS Internship The Peace Corps Office of Innovation in Washington, DC seeks interns for its geospatial initiative for the Spring 2016 semester. In collaboration with staff and volunteers throughout Peac

Peace Corps has mapping interns! One of which, is virtual. If you are looking to develop your skills with a great organization check it out. The virtual internship is on page 3.