GPS Error
Rob,
Fantastic idea!!! I would love to see such a forum established. My
opinion is that GPS and GIS especially will experience a great deal of growth
in the next decade or so. The possible uses of GIS is especially exciting, and
I think there is a lot of room for growth in the technology. Almost all
government agencies are now working on GIS projects, and a public forum would
be extremely helpful in getting and sharing information about individual
projects. If we can get everyone talking, maybe some loose standards can be
agreed upon.
The problem is that most of the public does not know anything about GPS
or GIS and how important it will be in their lives in the future, so I can
understand the hesitation of CompuServe management. For example, does the
layperson realize that detailed information about their real property is
probably being put into a GIS by the local county assessor? Not to say that
this information is not already available, but never before has a person had
the ability to access this information with a computer. Who should have access
to this information? What consequences are there to having this information so
easily available? How accurate is the information? For what purposes should
this information be used?
These are real questions that are only now beginning to be asked as
people begin to see the potential uses and abuses of such a massive quantity of
personal information available so easily.
There should be a forum where people can discuss technical issues as
well as societal issues.
Rob