GeoMattix Launches Newsletter
We are very pleased to publish our first newsletter to keep you, our valued customers and friends, up to date on our geospatial activities. Let us know what you think!
First GeoTreasure Hunt a Success!
GeoMattix kicked of a series of GPS for Fun events with a Sedona GeoTreasure Hunt. What the heck is a GeoTreasure Hunt? It’s a seek and find we’ve created especially for GPS explorers in Sedona. Equipped with Garmin eTrex GPS units, visitors and residents alike participated in the fun which included a 20 minute getting started training on how to enter and navigate to waypoints using GPS. GeoTreasure hunters used GPS to guide them in answering fun and historic questions about Sedona landmarks. The winners received gift certificates to Coldstone Creamery — just the thing for a summer evening! Visit http://geomattix.com/gps-for-fun for upcoming events.
ESRI 2009 User Conference
Once again, Michele offered a hands-on GPS workshop at the ESRI UC in San Diego this summer. This year’s topic was ‘Introduction to ArcPad 8′. The 3 hour workshop was completely full and gave participants an opportunity for some hands-on time with Magellan’s MobileMapper GPS units. We went through a simple workflow involving data check-out, field data collection, and data check-in. Everyone loved collecting GPS data in the cool sea breeze. We’ll be offering this same workshop at the AGIC conference later this year.
Integrating GPS with GIS
Our back-to-back GIS and GPS training class combo continues to be popular in Sedona. We recently offered a 2-day GIS training class following by another 2-day GPS Mapping with ArcPad class. Students came from all over the region to learn how to use ArcGIS and how to integrate GPS field data collection with your geodatabase. Sedona’s red rocks make great practice features! GeoMattix is all about combining the business side of GIS/GPS with the fun side.
Online GPS Training
Can’t make it to one of our classes? No problem. We now offer online training classes that you can watch on your own or via a virtual classroom. Check out the samples at http://geomattix.com/gis-gps-training/online-training and let us know what you think. Need training for your group? We can custom produce training to meet your specific needs.
Business Partner Update
GeoMattix is proud to be an ESRI business partner. In addition to working with ESRI on key projects, GeoMattix is able to sell GIS hardware and software products offered by ESRI and their partners. Some of our favorites include the Ricoh 500SE GPS camera with ArcPad photo-link software and the Trimble Juno SB/SC GPS units with integrated cameras. Contact us for more information about these and other field data collection products.
Geospatial Blunders
Ever find glaring errors in GIS and GPS references? I recently found one in a book that combines two of my favorite things — vampire stories and GPS. The book is Peeps by Scott Westerfeld and though it’s for young adults, it’s a fun vampire story (but aren’t they all?!!). When our vampire hunting hero catches a vampire he’s been chasing down deep underground in some abondoned New York subway tunnels, he handcuffs him to a pole then tags him with a GPS marker. Miraculously the GPS marker is read by headquarters way up on the surface almost immediately. Now that’s a strong receiver!
Wedding Bells
Michele Mattix, founder of GeoMattix, LLC, and Gregory Emmanuel, her boyfriend of nearly 4 years, are finally getting married later this year. The wedding will be held in Sedona, Arizona. 