Futures of GIS - A Primer of GIS: Fundamental Geographic and Cartographic Concepts - page 294

tunities in this domain also exist for people who work on testing and refin-
ing devices and programmers and analysts who play key roles in
development. Support generally involves people who help users work with
the technologies and devices as well as through training. In between, many
people work on developing and maintaining applications either as program-
mers or as specialists for particular application domains. Last, but by no
means least important, people working in marketing are often involved in
assessing consumer demands and helping companies identify profitable
areas to work in. It is certainly possible to find individuals who work in all
domains during the course of their normal work week—the needs of smaller
companies often require such talents.
Opportunities can be found in all sectors. Government positions
abound in all areas, but are especially important for applications and to a
lesser extent in research and development and in support. Private industry
offers a large number of applications as well, and has the most positions in
research and development. Nongovernment and nonprofit positions are
scarcer, but many people find that they offer a better balance between qual-
ity-of-life and income than jobs in other sectors.
Summary
GIS has experienced a dynamic past and adapted to the advent of new tech-
nologies. Currently GIS seems set on at least partially morphing into more
visualization capabilities focused on specific applications. LBS appear to be
a key driving force for the next round of GIS development. Opportunities
abound in this area, but also continue in traditional GIS areas. These devel-
opments open ethical issues. The capability of tracking people through the
entire day is now readily possible, but how should we know and control how
we are tracked and placed under surveillance? Challenges for the develop-
ment of GIS touch on these issues, but other fundamental technical and
organizational challenges remain.
In-Depth What Is a Spatial Data
Infrastructure?
There are many definitions of what makes up a spatial data infrastructure
(SDI). Common to all is that an SDI facilitates and helps coordinate the
exchange of spatial data. This can be restricted to stakeholders, or limited to a
defined community. Sometimes the limits are not crystal-clear, but stake-
holders and community members find better services, data, and support than
others.
Problems arise because any SDI is understood in different ways by its
stakeholders and community members. SDIs seem to have been most success-
ful when they support decision making and facilitate interactions between
organizations.