NYSGA GUIDEBOOKS TO GOOGLE EARTH

We are transferring information from NYSGA Guidebooks into kml files which can be used in Google Earth. As of December, 2010, eleven of the fifty-five available guidebooks had been translated, and work continues. We hope to complete this stage of the project by September, 2011. These 11 completed Guidebooks contained 52 field trips, with dozens of “stops” and far more “views.” Altogether they had 1,023 locations which have been turned into Google Earth Placemarks.

The Placemarks share a common format and each has been assigned a unique ID. This permits efficient cross referencing, and allows us to build a searchable database. The database exports Google Earth kml files. So a user could search the current database for all stops containing “magnetite” and the output would be a file with 10 Placemarks. A search for "quarry" or "quarries" would result in a file with 83 Placemarks. Opening such a file in Google Earth reveals the spatial distribution immediately, and clicking on the icon for any stop brings up the Guidebook description.

We have made an effort to provide self contained files, so they can be used on a laptop in the field where there is often no WIFI or cell service. (This requires either a cached version of Google Earth, or some other software which will display the kml files.) But we have also produced files which can be used with the mobile version of Google Earth on a smartphone or iPod touch. (These require a cell phone or WIFI connection.)

Recognizing the value of user content and interaction, we are also developing a blog where discussions can occur, and where photos, analytical data, diagrams, maps, etc., can be uploaded. We have started by seeding the blog with photos and comments from a few recent trips we have been on.