The author expresses frustration over feedback received on their dissertation, particularly regarding the need to propose alternatives to capitalism in their work. They argue that such discussions are better suited for the conclus...
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Graduate student researching geospatial software history, focusing on GIS tools and methods, with interests in software libraries and data standards.
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The author critiques the academic reliance on established theoretical frameworks, particularly those associated with 'dead white guys,' to gain credibility in research. They express frustration with the lack of diverse intellectua...
The author shares their dissertation writing journey, highlighting challenges, the role of their blog, and future research opportunities in geospatial technologies.
The author reflects on the complexities of open source geospatial software and its cultural dynamics, particularly in relation to the established GIS market dominated by Esri. They discuss the importance of understanding the real-...
The author reflects on the challenges of writing a dissertation about geospatial software, particularly focusing on OpenStreetMap (OSM) and the conflicts between 'craft mappers' and corporate interests. They discuss the complexiti...
The author discusses the transition from informal writing to a formal dissertation manuscript, focusing on the history of open source software and its implications in the geo tech sector. They critique the influence of O'Reilly Me...
The author shares insights from a recent research trip to meet John Haller, co-founder of MapInfo, and discusses the evolution of the company and its impact on the GIS industry. The post highlights the founders' initial lack of ex...
The post discusses the labor involved in creating and maintaining geospatial software, emphasizing the various roles within the industry, including data collection, GIS professionals, and software engineers. It highlights the chal...
The post discusses the profitability of Google Maps, arguing that it may not be as profitable as commonly believed. The author critiques a dissertation that misidentifies Marissa Mayer as 'Vanessa Mayer' and uses this error to hig...
The author explores the relationship between venture funding data and interest rates in the context of geospatial software companies, testing the hypothesis that low interest rates correlate with high funding rounds. The analysis ...
The blog post discusses the author's recent experiences with running geospatial software, specifically MapXpress 2.0 and MapInfo Pro, on M1 Macs and Windows 95 emulators. The author shares insights about the limitations of M1 Macs...
The author recounts their experience purchasing a 1996 version of MapInfo Professional and the challenges of running it on modern systems. They explore the historical significance of MapInfo in the GIS industry, noting its early d...
The author visits the Prelinger Library in San Francisco to gather information on computer map history. The library has resources and leads for the author's research questions. The author finds old magazines and articles that prov...
The text discusses the history of web map tiles and their significance in geospatial software history. It explores the origins of digital map tiles, the concept of tiling map data, and the patent rabbit hole. It also delves into t...
The text discusses the relevance of academic research in the context of real-world crises, focusing on the incineration of Waymo vehicles in Los Angeles. It delves into the history of geospatial technology and the economics of sel...
The text discusses the role of geospatial software in the logistics revolution, focusing on Rand McNally's trucker routing and fleet management technologies. It explores the development of the software, its user experience, and th...
The text discusses the military origins of GIS and geospatial software, highlighting the defense contractors that developed these technologies and their subsequent civilianization. It also explores the implications of civilian geo...
Bill Kilday's memoir 'Never Lost Again' provides an inside account of the Google Mapping Revolution, depicting the company's transformation of public experience and consumption of geospatial data and maps. The book also discusses ...
The text discusses the business models of geospatial software companies and how they make money. It explains that maps are a loss leader for most companies and that the market for geospatial software is smaller than expected. It a...
The text discusses the impact of the zero interest rate phenomenon (ZIRP) on the growth of geospatial technologies, particularly in the 2010s. It explores the role of government subsidies, venture capital funding, and the influenc...