Manifold GIS US User Conference: mapping the future of Manifold GIS

 

Salisbury University

May 29, 30

Worcester Room, 2nd Floor, University Commons (click for directions)

Salisbury University

Salisbury, MD  21801

Description:  The 2008 Manifold GIS US User Conference, held at Salisbury University, is an opportunity to connect with other Manifold GIS users, and also work together as a community to better understand the future direction of Manifold GIS, and advocate for upcoming features in the software.  This year's conference will consist of presentations on the innovative "technological edges" being explored by Manifold users, an extended technology briefing by Manifold GIS, and break-out group sessions to discuss user community wish-list items that are presented to the Manifold staff for feedback.  Please note, all users must sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) in order to participate in the sessions. 

Cost: registration is now closed. 

Parking:  Parking on campus is free, and you can park behind the Commons Building.  See the campus map for more details. 

Tentative Agenda:

Thursday - exploring the technology boundaries

This session consists of technology briefings on numerous benchmark tests conducted over the last year, and will introduce participants to user experiences in parallel processing, spatial database integration, Internet integration, and cartography.   These presentations, along with Manifold’s “look ahead” will form the basis for our break out groups to discuss future direction requests for the product.

 

8:30 - 9:00 Bagels, registration and sign in (sponsored by mapserving.com)

9:00 - 9:30 Introductions of participants

9:30 - 10:00 Manifold and parallel processing: from gaming to GIS, results of benchmark tests for nVidia parallel processing in Manifold GIS.  Benjamin Sigrist, Salisbury University

10:00 - 10:45 Manifold and enterprise-class spatial database servers: experiences with Oracle, SQLServer, and PostGIS.  Kevin Ross, Adam Ruff, and James Mooney, Salisbury University.

10:45 - 11:00 Coffee break

11:00 – 11:30  Manifold and Statistical Analysis: integrating Manifold with 3rd party applications – the “R” project.  Michael Sumner.

11:30 - 11:45 Manifold and Cartography: extending Manifold’s cartographic capabilities with Adobe Illustrator - what tools need to be included directly in Manifold.  Dennis Blum, Distributed GIS.


11:45 - 12:00 Wrap up and look ahead

12:00 - 1:15 Lunch (sponsored by Manifold GIS)

1:15 - 2:00 Manifold and Internet integration: Internet Map Server development, Dave Brubacher, Geomatica

2:00 - 3:30 Manifold: a look ahead.  Dimitri Rotow, Manifold Systems.

3:30- 3:45  Break (sponsored by Distributed GIS)

3:45 - 4:30  Questions and answers

4:30 - 5:00 Assignment of work group teams and homework assignments.

 

Friday - mapping out the future

This session consists of work-group meetings to discuss future enhancements to Manifold GIS.   Manifold staff will circulate among the workgroups, as each group prepares talking points about future functionality within Manifold GIS.  Groups will come back together to discuss their top items.  Manifold staff will provide feedback on the talking points.

The afternoon session will end with a panel discussion from numerous organizations that have successfully integrated Manifold GIS.  The topic items for these success stories will be introduced at the conference.

 



9:00 - 9:30  Review of Thursday presentations

9:30 - 12:00 Work group sessions (i.e.: cartography, spatial databases, spatial analytics, Internet integration)

12:00 - 1:15 Lunch (sponsored by Manifold GIS)

1:15 - 2:00 Presentation of workgroup summaries

2:00 - 3:00 Manifold feedback

Application Spotlights

This section will not have a formal break, however snacks will be available.


3:00 - 3:30 Natural Resource Assessment: Dennis Blum, Distributed GIS.

3:30 - 3:50 Engineering Applications: James Burn, Associated Engineering.

 

3:50 - 4:10 TBA.

 

4:10 - 4:50 Group discussion and Q&A. Making it work: successful strategies for using Manifold in your organization.

4:50 - 5:00 wrap up

 

Lodging

Salisbury Ramada Inn
300 S. Salisbury Blvd.
Salisbury, MD 21801
(410) 546-4400

Mention Salisbury University GIS Conference to receive the $69 per night rate. 

For the more adventurous, dorm style living is available in Wicomico Hall, directly on campus for $37.50 a night – now is the chance to relive your college years!