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What I Do

Geographic Information Systems

I'm a geographer by degree and do what's called Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for a living. GIS is a collection of computer hardware, software, and geographic data for capturing, managing, analyzing, and displaying all forms of geographically referenced information. For more information, please visit www.gis.com.

GIS can involve many aspects of technology and GIS Coordinators or Managers often wear many hats, especially in smaller communities or those with minimal staff. We're graphic designers, server administrators, web designers, computer technicians and database administrators to name but a few.

Database Design

One of the aspects of GIS is linking or tying database information (such as Access) to maps in a GIS. As a part of this, I have developed the enthusiasm working in Microsoft Access. Access is a robust database but it also allows you to create front-end forms for entering information into your database.

I like to think I have an aptitude for examining a process and making it more efficient. Often times this is accomplished through a database. Taking archaic paper forms and processes and upgrading them into a database for example.

Web Design

Web design isn't necessarily a part of GIS. But the internet and GIS go hand-in-hand. The web design aspect comes from working in smaller entities and agencies that don't have an IT staff or a web person to speak of, but having the desire for a web presence.  You read up a little, purchase a domain, find a way to host a web site and next thing you know you are making web sites.

I'm by no means a guru in this regard. But I can get the job done in a basic, yet thorough sense.

Graphic Design

Web design and graphic design go hand-in-hand. When I talk graphic design, I'm speaking in the most basic terms. Such as doing things with text you cannot accomplish by mere formatting.

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Computer Troubleshooting and Repair

Another part of the job for many in my shoes is computer troubleshooting and repair. For myself, it's something that I enjoy. I've been using computers for nearly 20 years and have enjoying repairing and upgrading them myself. Hardware issues are generally more interesting that software issues.