WEEK FIVE BLOG POST

This week, for the final 1%, I need you to provide feedback on the module. Please click on the link below to complete a survey using SurveyGizmo:

http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/2469660/EGM717-Feedback-December-2015

The survey is anonymous. To ensure that I know you have completed the survey, can you post one simple message to the week 5 Blog saying that you have completed your survey. By doing this I will be able to give you the 1% for week 5.

Many thanks,

Paul

WEEK FOUR BLOG POST

Dear all

Please post comments by Friday 27th for the 1%.

The role of databases is incredibly topical in light of the current events happening in Europe and Africa. Governments currently see cyber crime as one of the major threats for the future.

For example:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-24077094

What are your thoughts on large databases that hold various details about our lives? Are there advantages in Facebook holding highly detailed datasets on our daily lives? What are the disadvantages of these online datasets if we proffer the information willingly? If these datasets are demanded (e.g. the Census), can we trust the data holders and if not, what should we do?!

Your thoughts please.

Paul

WEEK THREE BLOG POST

Dear all,

Thanks for all the great posts over the last two weeks, some really strong opinions and excellent comments! Marcus Young (our excellent e-tutor) shared this link with me this week as a great discussion topic. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-mvgkRWP34&app=desktop

This short video is from Don Duet of Goldman Sachs and he discusses how open source has impacted on our world. Marcus pointed out that open source is not just about software anymore. 

When we took over this module it taught databases using Microsoft Access with NO spatial queries. Now we have changed the module to ONLY open source software (MySQL, PostgreSQL, PostGIS and QGIS) with a very strong spatial dimension. 

Write a few thoughts on the open source movement - if you can write an answer with hardware, software and data in mind that would be great. Please post your comments on the week 3 blog by 8pm on Friday of next week (20th) for the 1% mark

If you haven't posted a comment for week 1 or week 2 you must do so by 8pm tonight (13th) - any posts after today will not count for week 1 or 2. 

Paul McKenzie

WEEK TWO BLOG POST

The role of databases that store personal details has been very topical recently. Please read the story at this URL from the BBC on 4th November 2015:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34715872

What are your thoughts on huge databases that are mined for interesting patterns? What problems and opportunities do you foresee? What will it mean for GIS? 

Please post your comments by 8pm on Friday of next week (13th) for the 1% mark

Paul McKenzie

WEEK ONE BLOG POST

Dear all,

Welcome to the blog for week one! Posting a comment and responding to one another's comments will give you 1% of the module marks per week. To gain the 1% you must post your comments by the Friday of each week. However, as this is week 1, you have until Monday next week (14th) to post your comments for the week 1 blog.

The campus based students will be discussing the same issue with the distance learners.
This week (for 1%) I simply want you to introduce yourselves.

Cover the following issues:

1. Distance learner or campus student 
2. Name 
3. GIS Experience (particularly experience with databases) 
4. Current work / study 
5. Interests 
6. Hopes for after the GIS course.

I will start the ball rolling!

My name is Paul McKenzie and I have been working/studying GIS for 16 years and teaching for 10 years. After completing my MSc I did a bit of e-tutoring before starting my PhD. I am currently teaching on the undergraduate and postgraduate courses in GIS. I love running and got the chance to do 2 ultramarathons last year! My running has been curtailed by a new daughter and a 5 year old son! I also like films, Johnny Cash and church activities (a weird mix I know)!

I look forward to reading your comments.

Paul