Comments on: Humanitarian Logistics: Getting Ahead in Spatial Data Infrastructure http://www.humanitarian.info/2007/09/16/humanitarian-logistics-getting-ahead-in-spatial-data-infrastructure/ because information can save lives Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:58:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: humanitarian.info » More SDI please http://www.humanitarian.info/2007/09/16/humanitarian-logistics-getting-ahead-in-spatial-data-infrastructure/comment-page-1/#comment-198848 humanitarian.info » More SDI please Mon, 23 Jun 2008 15:29:42 +0000 http://www.humanitarian.info/2007/09/16/humanitarian-logistics-getting-ahead-in-spatial-data-infrastructure/#comment-198848 [...] the UN Spatial Data Infrastructure for Transport database schema, based on feedback received since last September’s release and developed with WFP and Ithaca (good to see that partnership being productive). This version [...] [...] the UN Spatial Data Infrastructure for Transport database schema, based on feedback received since last September’s release and developed with WFP and Ithaca (good to see that partnership being productive). This version [...]

]]> By: Brain Off » Rome for Rome. Rome for OpenStreetMap. http://www.humanitarian.info/2007/09/16/humanitarian-logistics-getting-ahead-in-spatial-data-infrastructure/comment-page-1/#comment-99872 Brain Off » Rome for Rome. Rome for OpenStreetMap. Sun, 11 Nov 2007 12:57:00 +0000 http://www.humanitarian.info/2007/09/16/humanitarian-logistics-getting-ahead-in-spatial-data-infrastructure/#comment-99872 [...] Next, Nicolas Chavent from the UN Joint Logistics Centre talked about the UN Spatial Data Infrastructure for Transport — an infrastructure and policy regime for sharing transport data. Particularly the ontology they’ve been working on to harmonize the innumerable schema in use around the world. Very interestingly, they described it as similar to Map Features in OpenStreetMap, even though we approached the problem from very different directions; the UNJLC from a top down, rigorous sifting, and OSM from a messy bottom up key/value open system. I think there’s lots of potential for cross-pollination of UNSDI-T and OpenStreetMap — in schemas (their ontology contains concepts like “obstacles” not yet developed in OSM) and in approach (sharing can happen effectively when based on principles and not technologically forced) and even perhaps in data sharing (I’ll trade you Brighton for Sudan?). Paul Currion has also written about their work. [...] [...] Next, Nicolas Chavent from the UN Joint Logistics Centre talked about the UN Spatial Data Infrastructure for Transport — an infrastructure and policy regime for sharing transport data. Particularly the ontology they’ve been working on to harmonize the innumerable schema in use around the world. Very interestingly, they described it as similar to Map Features in OpenStreetMap, even though we approached the problem from very different directions; the UNJLC from a top down, rigorous sifting, and OSM from a messy bottom up key/value open system. I think there’s lots of potential for cross-pollination of UNSDI-T and OpenStreetMap — in schemas (their ontology contains concepts like “obstacles” not yet developed in OSM) and in approach (sharing can happen effectively when based on principles and not technologically forced) and even perhaps in data sharing (I’ll trade you Brighton for Sudan?). Paul Currion has also written about their work. [...]

]]> By: Paul Currion http://www.humanitarian.info/2007/09/16/humanitarian-logistics-getting-ahead-in-spatial-data-infrastructure/comment-page-1/#comment-87114 Paul Currion Tue, 09 Oct 2007 16:18:27 +0000 http://www.humanitarian.info/2007/09/16/humanitarian-logistics-getting-ahead-in-spatial-data-infrastructure/#comment-87114 I'd love to see the microformat approach used in the sector - getting formal agreement on data standards is like stirring treacle, and while I agree that the clusters and the UNGIWG can provide political support, they don't seem able to actually implement standards. However I'm waiting to be proved wrong by some of the more advanced clusters such as Emergency Shelter - while noting that most of those clusters have a centre of gravity such as UNJLC that can push the process forward, while the clusters that have no such centre remain mired in their internal discussions. I’d love to see the microformat approach used in the sector – getting formal agreement on data standards is like stirring treacle, and while I agree that the clusters and the UNGIWG can provide political support, they don’t seem able to actually implement standards.

However I’m waiting to be proved wrong by some of the more advanced clusters such as Emergency Shelter – while noting that most of those clusters have a centre of gravity such as UNJLC that can push the process forward, while the clusters that have no such centre remain mired in their internal discussions.

]]> By: Nigel http://www.humanitarian.info/2007/09/16/humanitarian-logistics-getting-ahead-in-spatial-data-infrastructure/comment-page-1/#comment-84799 Nigel Wed, 03 Oct 2007 19:51:25 +0000 http://www.humanitarian.info/2007/09/16/humanitarian-logistics-getting-ahead-in-spatial-data-infrastructure/#comment-84799 Paul... the schema and SDI just released by UNJLC is a "good thing", and the result of a wide technical consultation. You hit the nail on the head though with the question of value flowing from use. HLS/Helios has been in pilot for a lot longer than the SDI schema has been under production (well, this current version), so I don't believe it implements it directly. One of the great things about XML versions of schema is that it's possible to _transform_ between different schema, making structured data sharing possible. And extend schema with custom attributes. That said, I still think we're waiting for the "microformats" approach to humanitarian data. And I think it'll come from the bottom up - from tools that are being used - rather than directly from groups like UNGIWG. The IASC cluster system and UNGIWG _can_ be influential in adoption by endorsing extensible standards. Paul… the schema and SDI just released by UNJLC is a “good thing”, and the result of a wide technical consultation. You hit the nail on the head though with the question of value flowing from use. HLS/Helios has been in pilot for a lot longer than the SDI schema has been under production (well, this current version), so I don’t believe it implements it directly.
One of the great things about XML versions of schema is that it’s possible to _transform_ between different schema, making structured data sharing possible. And extend schema with custom attributes. That said, I still think we’re waiting for the “microformats” approach to humanitarian data. And I think it’ll come from the bottom up – from tools that are being used – rather than directly from groups like UNGIWG.
The IASC cluster system and UNGIWG _can_ be influential in adoption by endorsing extensible standards.

]]> By: Paul Currion…Humanitarian Logistics: Getting Ahead in Spatial Data Infrastructure « Identity Unknown http://www.humanitarian.info/2007/09/16/humanitarian-logistics-getting-ahead-in-spatial-data-infrastructure/comment-page-1/#comment-78747 Paul Currion…Humanitarian Logistics: Getting Ahead in Spatial Data Infrastructure « Identity Unknown Sun, 16 Sep 2007 14:44:12 +0000 http://www.humanitarian.info/2007/09/16/humanitarian-logistics-getting-ahead-in-spatial-data-infrastructure/#comment-78747 [...] Sep 16th, 2007 by Ryan Lanham Humanitarian Logistics: Getting Ahead in Spatial Data Infrastructure [...] [...] Sep 16th, 2007 by Ryan Lanham Humanitarian Logistics: Getting Ahead in Spatial Data Infrastructure [...]

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