A Wanderer’s Guide to the Data Network

Navigating Our Connected WorldGarrett Shields, GISP, CFM

The Data Network

• An ever-expanding collection of information

• Evolutionary & Revolutionary

• Interconnected and relatable

• No such thing as an “Unrelated Dataset”

Evolution of the Network

Data availability has greatly evolved over the years

Oral Tradition Written Word Books &Encyclopedias

Analog FilingSystems

Digital MediaCloud Computing

Evolution of the Network

• With each new generation, access to information becomes easier and faster

• Process of querying data has gone from a laborious task to simply asking a question

• “OK Google?”

• Increase in capacity of data able to be stored and accessed

Moore’s Law

• Theorized by Intel Co-Founder Gordon Moore in 1975

• States that every two years, computing capacity will essentially double

• Data storage follows a similar trend

Example: One 16GB flash drive = ~53,334 text books

Adding to the Network

• How we collect information influences our interactions with that data

• Data collected in the field

• Acquired from peers

• Crowdsourcing

Mobile Data Collection

• Any information gathered outside a static environment

• Can be collected using:

• Mobile Devices (GPS Units, Laptops)

• Applications (Smartphones, tablets)

• Analog Methods (Verbal interaction)

• Increases your interaction with the public

• Landowners, consumers, etc.

• More “hands on” form of information gathering

Crowdsourcing

• Relatively new phenomenon

• Powered by the internet

• Most common form of data we encounter daily

• Often fueled by social media

• News, reviews, traffic, etc…

Crowdsourcing

Positive• Popular because it is free

and easy

• Response is simple, often quick

• Results in social and often ideological interactions

• Brings innovation

• Can help save lives

Negative• Results are hard to validate

• Everyone’s an expert

• Sometimes based on opinion

• Privacy can be compromised

Interacting with the Data Network

• We interact with the Data Network constantly

• Most commonly through our smartphones and tablets

• Search Engines, Maps, Navigation

• Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)

• Wi-fi hotspots, Web pages

• We create data, just by going on with our lives

No such thing as “Unrelated Data”

• How can a “#” become useful data?

• Geovisualization Algorithm

Data Tracking

• Information can be gathered by tracking data as well

• Analytics

• The “Wal-Mart” effect

• Usage Statistics

• Usernames

• Browsing History

• Using your history to gear ads and popups based on recent activity

• Spatial Movement

• Trends

Public vs. Private

• Blurry line between public knowledge and privacy infringement

• How do we respect anonymity?

• Example: Google Street View

• What constitutes public data?

• “Big Data” vs. “Big Brother”

What Goes Too Far?

• We have to balance information gathering with privacy concerns

• Who really owns the data?

• Certain datasets, especially those gathered without public knowledge can go too far in the eyes of some

• What is it being used for?

• “Matter of Public/National Security”

• Accountability

• Metadata

• Metadata

• Metadata

• Metadata

Wander Away• The data network is vast and contains virtually every

piece of information imaginable

• Learning to connect and interact with different datasets can greatly improve how we work and live

• Respect privacy; advocate for those who helped collect the data

• Ensure reliability

Questions?

Garrett Shields, GISP, CFM919.381.9906

garrett.shields@amecfw.com