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Online Digital Atlas: A Shared Vision

Online Digital Atlas: A Shared Vision

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While reading the ArcGIS Book, I noticed that the last of the ten 'Big Ideas' was that 'GIS is social. GIS is collaborative' and that 'Geography is key for integrating work across communities'. Therefore, it seems that the time is right to test the 'collaborative' hypothesis. Coincidentally, the Nova Scotia Provincial Government was announcing their new open data policy and created a new online open data site providing the geospatial community with free access to base maps and data sets featuring Nova Scotia. Also by chance the Geomatics Association of Nova Scotia (GANS) has been recently working on a concept for an online digital atlas (Digital Atlas of Nova Scotia - DANS). Geography is Key for Integrating Communities & access to a digital atlas is a prerequisite for groups to develop apps that meet the needs of citizens. The significant role proposed by GANS to obtain the technology resources to support apps and associated maps will help them remain sustainable into the future. However, this is only one pillar of the shared vision.