COVER STORIES GIS department has not needed to make maps for operational incidents. Much of the information previously spread out over servers and shapefiles and different types of file formats—information GIS staff would have to work to locate during different exercises or events—is right here, on your Web browser for you.” Indeed, the success of the system is catching the attention of the nation. Several local and state agencies have looked at the VIPER system as a model for something they can quickly build using their existing GIS resources and at a nominal cost. There have been congressional hearings where VIPER has been showcased as a model for a possible nationwide system. “We’re getting an amazing response, especially for all the system can do that’s above what you might usually see,” says Atristain. “It’s exciting.” More Information For more information, contact Bobbie Atristain, chief technology officer, Virginia Department of Emergency Management (e-mail: Bobbie. Atristain@vdem.virginia.gov). AN 7 ArcNews Cover Summer 2009 Revisiting Map of Unemployed Correction—The United States unemployment map on page 1 of the Summer 2009 ArcNews was incorrectly titled. It should have read, “Percent Unemployed, July 2009.” In addition, the text accompanying the map incorrectly identified the date shown by the map as April 2009. It was intended to say “July 2009.” Esri sincerely regrets any confusion or inconvenience these errors may have caused. VIPER was important at the presidential inauguration, January 2009. This is a zoomed image during the whistle stop. Red symbols show incidents, and the squares show the timeline. state in preparation for the November election. We needed to be able to respond to something, if possible, before it became a serious problem.” In addition, VIPER was used during President Barack Obama’s inauguration ceremony, which was the largest in the nation’s history. The system helped provide security for the 2.7 million people who attended. VIPER helped track multiple related events across Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia. In the Multi Agency Command Center (MACC), local, state, and federal officials used VIPER to look for any anomaly that could have impacted the inauguration. “The system is very empowering to the end users and very helpful to the IT staff,” emphasizes Atristain. “Since we implemented VIPER, our Listen to Esri Podcasts Esri podcasts are a free and easy way to listen to users share their experiences, get the latest news and information from Esri, and learn software tips. Esri Speaker Series podcasts feature GIS technology insights from users, business partners, and Esri staff. Esri Instructional Series podcasts focus on new and updated software features. Podcasts can be downloaded and listened to on a computer or portable MP3 player. More Information To check the availability of new podcasts and subscribe to the podcast feeds, visit www.esri.com/ podcasts. Location, Location. Bring full office capabilities to wherever you work with the new Trimble® Yuma™ rugged tablet computer. At the core of the Trimble Yuma tablet is a complete computing platform based on Microsoft® Windows Vista® Business, but unlike most computers it is at home in the harshest outdoor conditions. Meeting stringent military standards for drops, shock, and vibration guarantees the Trimble Yuma tablet will operate in the most extreme environments, and its IP67 rating means it’s impervious to dust and water. As a result, the Trimble Yuma tablet is the all-in-one mobile computing environment for any organization needing to geo-enable their field workforce, including utility operators, public works departments, and natural resource management firms. With 2 to 5 meter GPS accuracy, two geotag-enabled cameras, a seven-inch sunlight-readable WSVGA color touch screen, and wireless connectivity, it is perfect for any mobile GIS application such as field inspection, asset management, and incident mapping. Or utilize the Trimble Yuma tablet as part of a powerful subfoot data collection package combined with a Trimble GPS Pathfinder® ProXH™ receiver and Trimble TerraSync™ Professional software. To learn more about the versatile Trimble Yuma tablet, visit trimble.com/yuma_for_mgis. Location, Exclusive ArcNews Articles Online The Fall 2009 issue of ArcNews Online (www. esri.com/arcnews) presents the following exclusively online articles: What Is the Geographic Approach? Esri president Jack Dangermond often emphasizes the importance of using the geographic approach for problem solving. Read about this methodology’s five steps. Pennsylvania GIS Enables Data Sharing Across County Lines In Pennsylvania, the state’s 67 counties share geographic data for enhanced emergency response and have looked for ways to orchestrate it. Cyclone Leaves Its Mark on the Map Cyclone Nargis struck the Myanmar coastline, destroying much of the area’s agricultural economy. The Foreign Agriculture Service of the United States Department of Agriculture used remote sensing and GIS to analyze damaged areas and crop production capacity. City of Dover Provides Enterprise-Wide Geospatial Application Access The City of Dover, Delaware, recently deployed an enterprise geospatial platform that improves a wide range of city functions by opening up data stores and providing seamless, user-friendly information access. Also, look for the expanded Esri T-shirt section online, as well as new supplemental podcasts. www.trimble.com/yuma_for_mgis www.esri.com/trimbleoffers store.trimble.com © 2009, Trimble Navigation Limited. All rights reserved. Trimble, the Globe & Triangle logo, and GPS Pathfinder are trademarks of Trimble Navigation Limited, registered in the United States and in other countries. ProXH, TerraSync, and Yuma are trademarks of Trimble Navigation Limited. Microsoft and Windows Vista are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.