Geomob

Benjamin Trigona-Harany: Mapping Ottoman Transportation Networks

Geomob — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 20:11:39 +0000

Explore the fascinating project of reconstructing Ottoman Empire travel routes using historical maps, geospatial technology, and historical research. Discover how Benjamin Trigona-Harany, winner of the best speaker prize at the February 2026 Geomob Berlin, combined old Ottoman maps, modern routing algorithms, and historical context to
create an interactive routing engine that reveals travel times and routes from the 19th century.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

This episode is made possible by support from our sponsor, GEO Business.

Prof. David Unwin: Geospatial Origins: Geography Quantitative and GIS

Geomob — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 07:31:03 +0000

Professor David Unwin reflects on how GIS grew from niche quantitative geography into a major field thanks to advances in computing, data, and education in the 1980s–90s. He highlights his own accidental career path, early teaching innovations, and the rise of online learning. He ends by questioning modern AI’s reliability and stressing the continued importance of good geographic thinking.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

This episode is proudly brought to you by our sponsor, GEO Business.

Ben Abelshausen: Geomob Belgium and the Bike Data Project

Geomob — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 08:06:42 +0000

Ed speaks with Ben Abelshausen about the progress of Geomob Belgium and the Bike Data Project. They discuss the challenges and successes of organizing events in Belgium, the importance of collecting cycling data to empower cyclists, and the need for better data privacy measures. Ben shares insights into the project's origins, goals, and the necessity for community involvement to create a sustainable and effective data collection system for urban planning.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Jeremy/Steven: Geospatial Origins (1)

Geomob — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 09:28:33 +0000

Discover the fascinating journey of the geospatial industry over the past 25 years through an insightful conversation between Jeremy Morley and Stephen Feldman. They explore technological shifts, industry challenges, community building, and the impact of open source and AI on geospatial data.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Keiko Nomura: viewtif, A Tool for Visualizing Geospatial Data"

Geomob — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 09:55:32 +0000

In this episode of the Geomob podcast, Alastair speaks with Keiko Nomura, a research scientist at NASA Ames Research Center, about her software tool, viewtif. The conversation explores Keiko's background in remote sensing, the motivation behind creating the software, its functionalities, and the community's response to its release. Keiko discusses the challenges of visualizing geospatial data and how the tool aims to simplify the process for users. The episode also touches on future developments and the potential for expanding the tool's capabilities based on user feedback

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed/Steven: Geomob Berlin summary, vibe coding and more

Geomob — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 09:46:31 +0000

Ed and Steven discuss vibe coding, building custom tools with AI, WordPress site management, recent OpenCage updates, and highlights from the Feb 25th Geomob Berlin including innovative projects and historical mapping.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Rhiannon Price and Bill Greer: The Common Space Initiative

Geomob — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 09:08:55 +0000

This episode features Rhiannon Price and Bill Greer discussing the innovative Common Space initiative, aimed at democratizing access to high-resolution satellite imagery. They explore the challenges of data access, licensing, and governance in geospatial technology, and how their project seeks to address these issues to benefit humanitarian, environmental, and community efforts.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Dennis Bauszus: UK bidding for FOSS4G27

Geomob — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 11:11:08 +0000

This week, Steven and Dennis Bauszus, principal software engineer at Geolytix, discuss the UK’s bid to host FOSS4G 2027 in Bristol and the significant work required to deliver the global open geospatial conference. With their letter of intent submitted and a full proposal due in March, the team must outline detailed plans covering finances, programming, hybrid streaming, accessibility, diversity, and logistics for an 800-person, multi-track event. They emphasize the importance of volunteers, employer support, sponsorship, and travel grants to ensure global participation, as well as a strong code of conduct and inclusive approach. Bristol is positioned as both a strong geospatial hub and an active destination for international attendees, with the event likely planned for July 2027. The episode closes with excitement about promoting the bid at FOSS4G 2026 in Hiroshima and an open call for the community to get involved.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Jeremy Morley: Introducing Geospatial origins

Geomob — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 09:53:04 +0000

Ed welcomes Jeremy Morley as the new co-host of the Geomob podcast. They discuss Jeremy's extensive background in geospatial sciences, including his academic journey and experiences in remote sensing and Earth observation. The conversation explores the evolution of geospatial technology, the impact of community mapping through OpenStreetMap, and the challenges of data quality. Jeremy shares insights from his time at Ordnance Survey and the importance of connecting with startups through Geovation. The episode concludes with reflections on the future of geospatial technology, particularly in relation to AI.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Katy Whitaker: Historic England Aerial Mapper

Geomob — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 10:13:48 +0000

In this episode of the GeoMob podcast, Dr. Katy Whitaker discusses the role of aerial imagery in archaeology, and in particular the work of Historic England. With over six million aerial photographs in their archive, Historic England utilizes aerial surveys to map archaeological features across the UK. The conversation covers the importance of maintaining these archives, the challenges of accuracy in aerial photography, and the innovative tools like the Aerial Photo Explorer that make this data accessible to the public. Additionally, the impact of climate change on archaeological sites and the need for informed decision-making in heritage preservation are highlighted.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed and Steven: A strong start to 2026

Geomob — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 08:56:28 +0000

Ed and Steven discuss the recent Geomob London event, highlighting its success and the packed attendance. They delve into the various talks presented, focusing on themes such as the challenges and innovations in the geospatial industry, the importance of leadership skills, and the need for new technologies to manage the increasing volume of data. The conversation also touches on community engagement through projects and the recognition of emerging talent in the field.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Anton Wenemoser shares the journey of CoMaps

Geomob — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 10:49:50 +0000

Ed interviews Anton Wenemoser about CoMaps, an open-source mapping application. Anton shares the journey of CoMaps, its split from Organic Maps, and its focus on user-friendly, offline mapping using OpenStreetMap data. They discuss the challenges and goals of CoMaps, including its community-driven approach and the importance of critical mass for OpenStreetMap contributions.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Sheikh Fakhar Khalid: Sensat and AI

Geomob — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 10:07:00 +0000

In this episode, Khalid, the Chief Scientist at Sensat, discusses the evolution of the company from a data-collection organisation to a software company focused on creating visual digital twins for the infrastructure industry. He explains the concept of digital twins, the role of Sensat Labs in fostering innovation, and the challenges of technology adoption in the industry. Khalid also shares insights on the skills needed for success at Sensat, emphasising the importance of curiosity and adaptability in a rapidly changing technological landscape.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed/Steven: Geo Vibecoding

Geomob — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 11:08:27 +0000

Ed and Steven discuss the intersection of AI and mapping, exploring how AI tools can assist in creating various types of maps, including political atlases and maps of social issues like inequality and gun crime. They reflect on the challenges and successes of using AI for coding and data processing, the importance of documentation, and the evolving landscape of open-source software in the age of AI.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Bojan Šavrič: Equal Earth Projection

Geomob — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 00:32:26 +0000

Steven interviews Bojan Šavrič, a senior software development engineer at Esri, who specializes in map projections. They discuss the complexities of map projections, the importance of selecting the right one based on the map's purpose, and delve into the Equal Earth projection, which aims to provide a more accurate representation of the world. The conversation also touches on the campaign 'Correct the Map' initiated by the African Union, advocating for the use of the Equal Earth projection to better represent Africa on world maps. Bojan shares insights into the future of projections and ongoing projects at Esri, emphasizing the need for a deeper understanding of projections in the field of cartography.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Geomob Berlin and Barcelona summary

Geomob — Sun, 28 Dec 2025 21:17:34 +0000

In the final episode of the Geomob podcast for 2025, hosts Ed and Steven reflect on the past year, discuss the evolving role of AI in geocoding and data maintenance, and recap recent Geomob events in Berlin and Barcelona. They explore innovations in cycling infrastructure, the importance of citizen science, and the challenges posed by GPS technology. The conversation highlights the advancements in geospatial technology and the exciting future ahead in 2026.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Holiday Special

Geomob — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 10:27:10 +0000

Merry Christmas! In this festive Geomob podcast, the co-hosts reflect on the past year, celebrating achievements within the geospatial community, discussing highlights from various events, and sharing personal triumphs. They also explore gift ideas for geo enthusiasts and set goals for the podcast in the coming year, emphasizing the importance of emerging voices in the industry and the need for honest conversations about the future of geospatial technology, particularly in relation to AI and sustainability.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Richard Flemmings: AGI Foresight Report UK

Geomob — Sun, 14 Dec 2025 20:19:04 +0000

New Geomob host Denise discusses the recently released AGI Foresight Report with Richard Flemmings, CEO of Map Impact. They explore the significance of the report, its findings, and the reflections from the AGI conference. Key themes include the evolution of geospatial technology, the importance of skills development, and the global relevance of the report's insights. The conversation emphasizes the need for collaboration within the geospatial community and invites listeners to engage with the report's recommendations.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

FOSS4GUK

Geomob — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 19:34:30 +0000

The conversation provides a detailed review of the FOSS4G:UK 2025 conference, highlighting its significance as a return to in-person events after a long hiatus. Alastair discusses the organisation, positive feedback, and the engaging talks and workshops that took place. He emphasises the importance of community involvement and the successful logistics of the event, as well as the insights shared by keynote speakers. The conversation concludes with reflections on the OSGeo:UK AGM and potential future FOSS4G:UK events.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Dirk Voets: GeomobNL

Geomob — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 09:06:13 +0000

Our guest is Dirk Voets, organizer of Geomob Netherlands, which started in 2024. Dirk looks back on the progress since then. We discuss the Dutch geospatial scene generally, and look forward to the upcoming January event (rescheduled from December). The conversation explores the importance of community in the geospatial field, emphasizing the value of sharing experiences and learning from failures. Dirk Voets discusses the role of Geomob in connecting professionals and fostering a supportive environment for growth and collaboration.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Freddie Hunter: Trees Outside Woodland (TOW)

Geomob — Sun, 23 Nov 2025 18:45:41 +0000

In this episode of the Geomob podcast, Alastair speaks with Freddie Hunter from Forest Research about the innovative mapping of Trees Outside Woodlands across England. They discuss the importance of this data set for ecological monitoring, the methodologies used for data processing, and the various applications of the data in tree planting and carbon assessment. Freddie also shares insights into quality assessment and the plans for future updates to the data.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Felix Palmer: A5 Grid System

Geomob — Sun, 16 Nov 2025 20:28:09 +0000

Ed's guest is Felix Palmer, introducing the A5 discrete global grid system. The conversation explores the intriguing concept of tiling pentagons, revealing that while it may seem impossible, it can be achieved by altering the angles of the vertices. The discussion also delves into the implications of projections from geometric shapes like the icosahedron to the sphere, highlighting how these projections can warp angles yet still maintain surface coverage.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Darren Tansley: The Lost Ponds

Geomob — Sun, 09 Nov 2025 22:32:35 +0000

Alastair hosts this special, listener-suggested episode by introducing the topic of lost ponds: how to find them and why they matter. Darren Tansley of the Essex Wildlife Trust then joins Alastair to discuss the project to map and restore these lost ponds across the UK. They cover the surprising scale of habitat loss, the methodology used by citizen scientists relying on historical and modern maps, and the ecological importance of ponds for species like the Turtle Dove and beneficial insects. The discussion also reflects on the essential work with farm clusters, the role of geospatial data in local nature strategy, and the potential economic benefits that pond restoration could bring to modern agriculture.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed/Steven: London summary/Berlin preview

Geomob — Sun, 02 Nov 2025 17:36:25 +0000

Ed and Steven recap the recent GeomobLON event, discussing the turnout, speaker highlights, and the overall atmosphere. They reflect on the challenges of organizing free events, the importance of geospatial data in policy-making, and the diverse range of topics covered by speakers. The conversation also touches on upcoming events in various cities and the need for community engagement.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

James Cheshire: The Library of Lost Maps

Geomob — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 08:45:36 +0000

In this episode of the podcast, host Steven welcomes back James Cheshire, a professor of geographic information and cartography at UCL, to discuss his latest book, 'The Library of Lost Maps.' The conversation explores the evolution of cartography, the significance of thematic maps, and the historical context of mapping practices. Cheshire shares insights into the stories behind various maps and mapmakers, including George Greenough and the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, while also addressing the darker uses of maps in shaping ideologies during the rise of fascism.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

James Norris: Reinventing the Map

Geomob — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 15:04:44 +0000

In this episode of the Geomob podcast, Steven speaks with James Norris, the head of International Affairs at Ordnance Survey, about the evolving role of national mapping agencies in a digital world. They discuss the significance of the Cambridge Conference, the changing landscape of geospatial data, the importance of trust in mapping, and the impact of technology on the future of mapping. The conversation highlights the need for collaboration, innovation, and a focus on people in the geospatial field.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Steven & Denise Introduction Episode

Geomob — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 17:37:18 +0000

In this special episode of the Geomob podcast, Steven introduces the newest host for Geomob, Denise McKenzie and then hands over the hosting duties. Denise shares her journey in the geospatial sector. Then the conversation explores the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the industry, reflections on the podcast's evolution over 300 episodes, and the significance of having women represented in geospatial discussions. Steven offers advice for aspiring podcasters, emphasizing the importance of partnership and simplicity. The episode concludes with aspirations for future guests and the desire to inspire listeners with impactful stories from the geospatial community.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed/Steven: Berlin summary/London preview

Geomob — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 10:35:21 +0000

In this episode, Ed and Steven discuss their recent experiences at various conferences, including the IoT conference in Amsterdam and Geomob Berlin. They highlight the importance of community engagement in the geospatial field, share insights on mapping contributions, and announce upcoming events. The conversation also touches on job opportunities within the community and the introduction of a new host for the podcast, aiming to bring fresh perspectives to future episodes.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Matt Forrest: Wherobots

Geomob — Sun, 28 Sep 2025 22:11:34 +0000

Ed interviews Matt Forrest from Whereobots, discussing the evolution of geospatial technology, the importance of cloud-native solutions, and the challenges of data privacy. Matt shares his journey in the GIS field, the services offered by Whereobots, and the educational resources he provides to help others navigate the complexities of geospatial data processing.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Maik Busch: VulkanMaps

Geomob — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 16:22:37 +0000

Ed interviews Maik Busch, the creator of VulkanMaps, a new software that leverages graphics processing units to render OpenStreetMap data locally. Mike shares his background in geospatial technology, the evolution of VulkanMaps over the past decade, and the technical innovations that make it possible. The conversation explores the differences between traditional map rendering methods and VulkanMaps, its potential use cases, and the future of map rendering technology, including the integration of AI.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Post-summer catch up

Geomob — Sun, 14 Sep 2025 20:02:02 +0000

In this episode, Ed and Steven reflect on their summer experiences, celebrate listener engagement, and discuss upcoming events in the geocommunity. They share insights on business updates, challenges with large customers, and milestones such as Mappery's 7th birthday. The conversation also touches on the ease of organizing local geomob events and the importance of community involvement.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Will Cadell: GEOFESTO

Geomob — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 16:23:58 +0000

Join us for episode 302. of the Geomob Podcast as Steven hosts Will Cadell of SparkGeo to discuss the GEOFESTO, a manifesto for the geospatial sector. They delve into five key principles that aim to reshape how geospatial professionals approach their work, from promoting spatial thinking to fostering collaboration and focusing on outcomes.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Greta C. Vega: Data for biodiversity

Geomob — Mon, 01 Sep 2025 07:14:35 +0000

Episode 301. of the Geomob Podcast sees Alastair interview Greta Vega, a lead ecologist at Versant. From her early days digitising data to her current role using geospatial tools for ecological compensation, Greta shares her insights on the intersection of ecology and technology. Discover how her work is shaping the future of renewable energy projects and the importance of visualising data for impactful decision-making.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

300 episodes!

Geomob — Sun, 24 Aug 2025 19:42:47 +0000

This isn't just a normal episode... this is Episode 300 of the Geomob Podcast! Join hosts Ed, Steven, and Alistair as they reflect on their journey, memorable episodes, and the impact of their community. They discuss the importance of feedback, the potential for new formats, and their aspirations for future episodes, including the possibility of new hosts and exploring diverse topics within the geospatial field.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Richard Conway: EOEPCA+

Geomob — Sun, 17 Aug 2025 17:34:47 +0000

In the latest episode of the Geomob podcast, Richard Conway from Telespazio discusses the EOEPCA initiative with Alastair. EOEPCA is an ESA project aimed at improving the interoperability of Earth Observation platforms. He explains the architecture of EOEPCA and its evolution into EOEPCA+, emphasising the importance of stakeholder engagement and open-source development. The conversation also covers points around user access management, workflow management using the Common Workflow Language, and the integration of these building blocks into existing platforms.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed Parsons: Looking back, looking forward

Geomob — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 07:13:03 +0000

In this episode of the Geomob podcast, hosts Ed and Steven are joined by Ed Parsons for a rich conversation about the evolution of geospatial technology, the impact of Google on the industry, and the future of geospatial data. They discuss the transition from corporate life to freelancing, the importance of community in the geospatial field, and the challenges and opportunities presented by AI. The discussion also explores the utility of geospatial information in everyday life and the need for innovative thinking to address ongoing problems in the industry.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ian James: A Life at OS

Geomob — Sun, 03 Aug 2025 20:14:49 +0000

In this episode of the Geomob Podcast, host Steven welcomes Ian James, who shares his extensive career at the Ordnance Survey. James, who spent over 40 years at the organization, discusses the dramatic evolution of cartography from traditional paper maps to modern digital databases. He reflects on the challenges of digitization, the impact of open data on the mapping industry, and the future of national mapping agencies, all while emphasizing the importance of integrating various data sources.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Olivia Ragone: OSM at the National Trust

Geomob — Sun, 27 Jul 2025 17:32:42 +0000

Ed interviews Olivia Ragone, a GIS data officer at the National Trust, discussing the integration of OpenStreetMap in the mapping the UK's historic sites and trails. Olivia shares insights into the challenges faced in mapping, the importance of community engagement, and the future of interactive mapping for visitors. The conversation highlights the significance of open data in conservation efforts and the collaborative approach needed to maintain accurate geographic information.

The NT Paths & Trails program has been funded through partnership with Cotswold Outdoors and included within on-going joint work with Sport England.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Gregory Marler: State of the Map Europe 2025

Geomob — Sun, 20 Jul 2025 14:18:11 +0000

In this episode of the Geomob podcast, Ed interviews Gregory Marler, a key member of the OpenStreetMap community an organizer of the State of the Map Europe conference (14-15 Nov 2025). They discuss the upcoming event in Dundee, Scotland, its logistics, audience engagement, and the importance of community participation in the geospatial field. Gregory shares insights on the conference format, proposal process, and the diverse audience it aims to attract, emphasizing the need for collaboration and interaction among attendees.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Laura O'Brien/Lewis Rattray: Frontierra

Geomob — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 07:36:44 +0000

In this episode of the Geomob podcast, host Alastair speaks with Laura O'Brien and Lewis Rattray from Frontierra, an environmental geospatial consultancy. They discuss the integration of satellite data into financial institutions to assess climate and nature risks. The conversation covers the role of geospatial data in decision-making, the importance of understanding nature-related risks, and the emerging applications of Earth observation data in finance. They also touch on the challenges of supply chain transparency and the future of environmental assessments in the financial sector.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Jussi Aho: The “real” last mile

Geomob — Sun, 06 Jul 2025 19:26:49 +0000

Ed chats with Jussi Aho, now a Senior Product Manager at UP42, but previously at HERE. Jussi recently wrote an article about his unique experience working undercover as a delivery rider to gain insights into last-mile delivery challenges. They discuss the geospatial aspects of routing, the emotional and physical challenges faced by riders, and the importance of understanding user experience in product management. Jussi shares valuable lessons learned from his time on the bike, including the need for better navigation solutions and the human factors that impact delivery efficiency.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed/Steven: BCN/LON summary

Geomob — Sun, 29 Jun 2025 19:24:31 +0000

In this conversation, Ed and Steven recap recent Geomob events in Barcelona and London, discussing attendance challenges and the cultural differences affecting participation. They highlight innovative talks from various speakers, focusing on geospatial technology applications in education, delivery solutions, and safety mapping. The discussion also touches on new developments like India's DigiPin system, emphasizing the need for effective delivery solutions in a rapidly digitalizing society.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Jonas Sølvsteen/Henry Rodman: eoAPI

Geomob — Sun, 22 Jun 2025 20:46:52 +0000

In this episode of the Geomob podcast, Alastair is joined by guests Henry Rodman and Jonas Sølvsteen to discuss the EO API, a new initiative from Development Seed aimed at improving access to geospatial data. They cover their backgrounds in geospatial technology before turning to the API, focusing on how it works and its intended purpose. They delve into the STAC specification, its importance for data cataloging, and the target audience for EO API. The conversation also covers deployment challenges, user experience, and the importance of community engagement in the development of EO API.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Luís de Sousa: Discrete Global Grid Systems

Geomob — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 06:48:20 +0000

Ed interviews Luís de Sousa about Discrete Global Grid Systems (DGGS), a transformative technology in the field of GIS. Luis explains the concept of DGGS, its historical context, and its significance in providing a more regular and usable partition of the Earth's surface compared to traditional latitude and longitude systems. The conversation covers the evolution of DGGS, its applications in various fields, particularly in environmental monitoring and data science, and the challenges faced by existing systems like H3. Luis emphasises the importance of community involvement in developing DGGS standards and tools.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed/Steven: BER summary / general updates

Geomob — Sun, 08 Jun 2025 18:47:07 +0000

Ed and Steven discuss the recent Geomob Berlin event, highlighting its success and the innovative projects presented by various speakers. They also touch on upcoming events in London and Barcelona, and share updates on OpenCage's developments, including AI integration.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Phil Kershaw: EO Data Hub

Geomob — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 19:15:30 +0000

In this episode of the Geomob Podcast, Philip Kershaw of CEDA (Centre for Environmental Data Analysis) discusses the Earth Observation Data Hub (EODH), a new initiative funded by the UK government aimed at improving access to environmental data. He explains the evolution of the JASMIN facility and the CEMS initiative, highlighting the importance of interoperability and user engagement in building the hub. Phil emphasises the need for collaboration with commercial data providers. The conversation concludes with insights into future steps for user onboarding and platform development.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Quintin Lake: The Perimeter

Geomob — Sun, 25 May 2025 22:20:14 +0000

In this episode of the Geomob podcast, host Steven welcomes Quintin Lake, a renowned photographer who undertook an epic five-year journey walking the entire coastline of mainland Britain. Quintin shares insights about his experiences, the challenges he faced, and the inspiration behind his book, 'The Perimeter'. The conversation delves into the structure of the book, his favorite photographs, and the unique stories behind them, as well as the geographic observations he made during his journey. Quintin also discusses future projects and the importance of understanding the landscapes of Britain.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Peter Rabley: The Open Geospatial Consortium

Geomob — Sun, 18 May 2025 18:22:22 +0000

Ed chats with Peter Rabley, the CEO of the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC). They discuss Peter's journey into the geospatial field, the role and importance of OGC in promoting interoperability through open standards, and the challenges and opportunities in the rapidly evolving technological landscape. Peter reflects on his first year as CEO, emphasizing the commitment of members to open standards and the need for effective communication about the capabilities of geospatial technology. They also explore emerging standards related to data integrity and trust, the intersection of open source and open data, and the future goals for OGC, including increasing membership and engagement within the community.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Miguel Álvarez: A Cartographer’s Tale

Geomob — Sun, 11 May 2025 19:06:09 +0000

Steven welcomes Miguel Álvarez, a cartographer and telecommunications engineer to discuss his website Mappas Milhaud and his blog, A Cartographer's Tale. He shares his journey into the world of maps and geography, starting from a young age with a passion for atlases, the creation of his map catalogue Mapas Milhaud, and the storytelling aspect of his writing in the Cartographer's Tale. The conversation delves into the evolution of time and its geographical implications, the significance of propaganda maps throughout history, and Miguel's future projects in cartography.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Olly Bartlett: Greening of Antarctica

Geomob — Sun, 04 May 2025 18:09:54 +0000

Alastair welcomes Dr. Olly Bartlett to the Geomob podcast to discuss the trend of greening in Antarctica. Olly shares his journey into remote sensing and explains how the study of moss banks can reveal how these ecosystems have been affected over time. They explore the use of Google Earth Engine for research and the potential risks of invasive species in fragile ecosystems.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Silas Toms: Geomob San Francisco Recap

Geomob — Sun, 27 Apr 2025 17:41:52 +0000

Ed interviews Silas Toms, co-organizer of the recent GeoMeetup/Geomob event in San Francisco. Silas shares his background in geospatial technology, the revival of the GeoMeetup culture, and the success of the recent event, which featured a diverse lineup of speakers from major tech companies and government agencies. The conversation highlights the importance of community building, networking, and the future of geospatial technology, including the role of AI and OpenStreetMap.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Dean Paulley: Ordnance Survey Roof Data

Geomob — Sun, 20 Apr 2025 20:40:54 +0000

Steven interviews Dean Paulley, Head of Data Products at Ordnance Survey, about the recent launch of roof data. This feature leverages machine learning to generate detailed information about rooftops across Great Britain. Dean discusses the innovative use of aerial imagery, the challenges faced in data generation, and the various applications of roof data for different sectors, including government and insurance. The conversation also covers the integration of roof data with other datasets, the accessibility of this information, and future developments in Ordnance Survey's product offerings.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Max Lenormand: Fused.io

Geomob — Sun, 13 Apr 2025 21:10:52 +0000

In this Geomob podcast episode, Alastair welcomes Max Lenormand back to discuss his current geospatial data science work at Fused. Max shares insights into the challenges faced by data scientists and lays out how Fused aims to simplify serverless computing for data analysis. The conversation covers the importance of user-defined functions, real-world applications of their tools, and the future of Fused as they engage with the community.

Later on, they delve into the intersection of AI, particularly large language models (LLMs), and geospatial data. They discuss the advancements in LLMs, the potential for connecting these models to real-time data through HTTP requests, and the implications for accessibility in data analysis.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed/Steven: OGC joins as Global Supporter

Geomob — Sun, 06 Apr 2025 19:02:45 +0000

Ed and Steven discuss the latest developments at OpenCage, including the upcoming launch of spreadsheet upload functionality and the introduction of MCPs (Model Connector Protocols). They also share exciting news about new sponsorships, including ThunderForest's renewal as a London sponsor and the OGC becoming a "Global Supporter". Next, the discussion turns to upcoming events, including the first Geomob Zürich. Finally, they touch on the complexities of geocoding, the Scramble Maps Challenge, and geopolitical insights related to tariffs and ISO codes.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Keir Clarke: Maps Mania

Geomob — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 09:01:34 +0000

Steven welcomes Keir Clarke to the pod. They discuss Keir's journey from English teacher to prominent figure in the online mapping community. The conversation covers Maps Mania's evolution, election maps' significance and reflections on 20 years of mapping. There is also discussion on Scrambled Maps, the most addictive geo-game on the net.

Note: Apologies, there is some slight clipping on the first 17 minutes of audio. It gets a lot better!

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Adam DuVander: The Citizen Developer Era

Geomob — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 19:34:30 +0000

Adam DuVander returns to the podcast to discuss the evolving geospatial developer landscape, particularly in the context of low-code tools and AI's impact on the industry. They explore the scepticism surrounding AI's reliability in geospatial services, the blind trust some developers place in AI outputs, and the challenges of ensuring data accuracy. The conversation also touches on the importance of creating unique content amidst a sea of generic AI-generated material and the role of developers in guiding new users through the complexities of these technologies.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Steven/Ed: California Dreamin'

Geomob — Sun, 16 Mar 2025 20:07:19 +0000

In this episode, Ed and Steven discuss exciting developments in the Geomob community, including renewed sponsorships (thank you Esri UK!) and upcoming events in various cities - including San Francisco! -. Steven attended Geovation's 15th anniversary event. They also ponder Niantic's recent strategic shift from gaming to a focus on spatial technology.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Steven Ramage: a geospatial career

Geomob — Sun, 09 Mar 2025 18:51:44 +0000

Steven Ramage joins our host Alastair to discuss his extensive career journey in the geospatial sector. He delves into several of his roles, ranging from GEO to CEOS, highlights the importance of biodiversity monitoring through initiatives like GEOBON and emphasises the critical role of monitoring ecosystem health. Steven also discusses his current work with Réseau Consulting, focusing on mentoring young professionals and fostering opportunities in the geospatial field.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Peter Petrik: Mergin Maps

Geomob — Sun, 02 Mar 2025 20:34:08 +0000

In this episode of the Geomob podcast, Peter Petrik, CEO of Mergin Maps and managing partner at Lutra Consulting, shares his journey from a developer to a leader in the open-source GIS community. He discusses the evolution of Mergin Maps, its features, and its significance in field data collection. The conversation also delves into the business model of open-source GIS, Lutra's contributions to QGIS, and the collaborative culture within the open-source community. Peter highlights real-world applications of Mergin Maps and the importance of community support in the growth of open-source projects.

Claire Neil: SEPA's SEMS

Geomob — Sun, 23 Feb 2025 19:17:47 +0000

In this episode of the Geomob podcast, Alastair speaks with Claire Neil, Principal EO Scientist at the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's (SEPA) new Satellite Emergency Mapping Service (SEMS). They discuss Claire's journey in Earth observation, the operational use of SEMS during disasters, the challenges of data processing, and the future developments in Earth observation capabilities at SEPA. The conversation highlights the importance of satellite-derived information in emergency response and environmental monitoring in Scotland.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed/Steven: GeomobEDI/LON/BER summary

Geomob — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 09:37:56 +0000

In this episode, Ed and Steven discuss their experiences at the recent Geomob events in Edinburgh, London, and Berlin. They reflect on the vibrant community, the engaging talks, and the importance of sponsorship for future events. The conversation turns to how Geomob might grow, and plans for expansion into new cities, including potential events in North America.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Chris Beddow: Worldbuilder

Geomob — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 10:31:28 +0000

Ed interviews Chris Beddow, a prominent figure in the geospatial community and author of the Worldbuilder newsletter. Chris speaks about his work with geospatial technology, his experiences with OpenStreetMap and Mapillary, and the motivations behind his newsletter. The conversation delves into the evolution of maps, the impact of technology on geospatial practices, and the challenges large mapping teams face.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Nick Everard: Spatial Hydrometry

Geomob — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 10:44:41 +0000

For this week's Geomob podcast, we shake things up a bit. Alastair interviews Nick Everard, a senior hydrometric scientist, about the advancements in hydrometry and river flow measurement. They discuss the evolution of measurement techniques from traditional methods to modern technologies like remote-controlled boats, drones, and satellites. Nick emphasises the importance of accurate data collection in understanding and managing river flows, especially in the context of climate change and increasing flood risks. The conversation makes for a fascinating case study on the importance of data collection and geo-edge cases.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed/Steven: 2025 Kick Off

Geomob — Sun, 26 Jan 2025 20:12:07 +0000

Steven and Ed meet for the first time in the new year to discuss upcoming events and significant developments in their respective fields. They delve into OpenCage's move to Berlin and the launch of a new geocoding service, highlighting the challenges of managing data from various sources. The discussion shifts to Foursquare's recent open data release, examining its implications for data quality. They also touch on OpenStreetMap's financial support and the importance of sustainable funding for open-source projects. Finally, they explore Overture's new transport data set and its potential impact on the industry.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Héctor Ochoa Ortiz: ODECO Research / OpenStreetMap Foundation

Geomob — Sun, 19 Jan 2025 21:21:17 +0000

After meeting at #geomobNL, Ed Freyfogle welcomes Héctor Ochoa Ortiz, a PhD student and newly elected board member of the OpenStreetMap Foundation to speak on the pod. They discuss Hector's journey into OpenStreetMap, his research on the corporate landscape of open data, and the challenges and opportunities for companies to contribute to OpenStreetMap. The conversation touches on the importance of community involvement, the need for better tools for contributors, and Héctor's aspirations.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Luke Seelenbinder: MapLibre

Geomob — Sun, 12 Jan 2025 20:33:04 +0000

Steven sits down with Luke Seelenbinder, CEO and Founder of Stadia Maps. They share a lively conversation on the different ways technology, society and geo intersect; the evolution of Stadia Maps and some of the inherent challenges to serving maps as a service. The other main topic of conversation is Luke's work on MapLibre, a community-driven open-source map rendering SDK. Expect a deep dive into themes such as the importance of community contribution, the complexities of managing open source projects and the risks of feature bloat. Technical, varied and engaging, this episode is a good one!

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Luisa Teixeira / Maddie Grady: Planet

Geomob — Sun, 05 Jan 2025 21:06:56 +0000

Welcome to the first episode of 2025! Alastair is joined today by two guests, Maddie Grady and Luisa Teixeira from Planet, a leading company in Earth observation. They discuss their backgrounds, the innovative satellite technology used by Planet, and its applications in agriculture and biodiversity conservation. Maddie delves into how satellite-derived land surface temperature can improve agricultural practices, while Luisa introduces Project Centinela, aimed at conserving biodiversity hotspots. They both cover the new Tanager 1 satellite, which offers hyperspectral imaging capabilities for environmental monitoring.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Roundup 2024/Welcome 2025

Geomob — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 09:33:57 +0000

In the final #geomobpod of the year, our podcast hosts Ed, Steven and Alastair get together to reflect on 2024. They cover it all ranging from highlights, lowlights and ambitions for next year and more! They then turn their attention to the community and how they might grow it, before touching on the joy felt from having conversations with experts in the geospace. All this and more, Happy New Year!

Xmas Chaos 2024

Geomob — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:16:25 +0000

To celebrate the festive season, Steven welcomes back some special guests to reflect on their personal and professional highlights from 2024 in a fun, lively and diverse episode of the pod. Expect book recommendations covering some of the biggest themes in geography, projections on what might be hot in 2025 and much, much more. Enjoy!

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Harald Rieber: atlas.co

Geomob — Sun, 15 Dec 2024 20:03:32 +0000

In this week's episode of the Geomob Podcast, host Ed Freyfogle meets with Harald Rieber, Co-Founder and CTO at Atlas. Atlas.co is a web-based full-stack mapping company that provides an all-in-one solution that enables map data storage, collaboration and visualisation, focusing on making map-making simple for non-technical people. They focus on the product before moving onto the recent $2m funding round which the Norway-based company successfully closed, and project forward to see what's in store for the company.

András Zlinszky: Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem

Geomob — Sun, 08 Dec 2024 19:21:37 +0000

In this episode of the Geomob podcast, Alastair and András Zlinszky delve into the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem, exploring its significance as the official data access portal for Sentinel data. András shares insights into the unique features of the platform, including its cloud computing capabilities, tools for data analysis, and the integration of OpenEO for enhanced data processing. The conversation also highlights the importance of machine learning applications, specialized products like cloud-free mosaics, and the ongoing efforts to keep algorithms and tools up to date. The discussion concludes with a focus on the diverse user base, including government agencies, startups, and the general public, emphasizing the platform's accessibility and potential for community engagement.

Dariusz Wojcik: Atlas of Finance

Geomob — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 13:31:55 +0000

In this episode of the Geomob podcast, host Steven speaks with Darius Darek Wojcik, a professor of financial geography and author of the Atlas of Finance. They explore the intersection of finance and geography, discussing how historical events, geographical factors, and institutional behaviors shape financial systems. The conversation delves into the significance of financial crises, the evolution of financial centers, the impact of digital technology on finance, and the pressing issue of gender inequality in the financial sector.

Ed/Steven: Geomob Netherlands recap

Geomob — Sun, 24 Nov 2024 14:59:30 +0000

In this episode, Ed and Steven discuss their recent travels, focusing on the Geomob event in the Netherlands. Topics of focus include the recent growth of Geomob events across Europe, upcoming events, and speaker lineups. The conversation turns to the ways OpenStreetMap has contributed to humanitarian efforts and corporate involvement in mapping. Finally, they explore the future of mapping technology, competition in the GIS space, and make predictions for 2025.

Tom Armitage: MapTiler

Geomob — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 10:41:38 +0000

In this episode of the Geomob podcast, host Steven welcomes Tom Armitage, a geospatial professional with over 20 years of experience who currently works as a technical writer for MapTiler. The conversation covers Tom's journey in the geospatial field, his passion for cartography, and the innovative services offered by MapTiler, including its mapping API and augmented reality capabilities. Tom discusses the importance of user experience and customization in mapping technologies and reveals some future developments at MapTiler.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Sean Gorman: Zephr

Geomob — Sun, 10 Nov 2024 16:29:43 +0000

Sean Gorman returns to the podcast to discuss his new startup Zephr, which enhances GPS accuracy using a software-based solution that networks multiple devices. He shares insights on the challenges of GPS in urban environments, the potential applications of Zephr's technology, and the company's collaboration with the Ukrainian military to address GPS jamming issues. Sean also highlights emerging technologies in the geospatial field, including smart glasses and cloud-native solutions.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Neil Sims: Land Degradation

Geomob — Sun, 03 Nov 2024 18:51:44 +0000

Alastair speaks with Neil Sims, an Earth Observation Scientist at CSIRO (Australia's national sciene agency), about his journey in the field of geospatial science and the importance of Earth observation in managing land degradation. They discuss the complexities of measuring land degradation, the significance of land degradation neutrality, and the role of international cooperation in addressing environmental challenges. Neil shares insights on the evolution of Earth observation technologies and their impact on sustainable land management practices, emphasizing the need for continued collaboration and innovation in the field.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed/Steven: Berlin/Barcelona recap

Geomob — Sun, 27 Oct 2024 11:34:53 +0000

This episode is sponsored by Bee Maps.

Ed and Steven reconvene to discuss recent Geomob events in Berlin and Barcelona, highlighting various talks on AI, geospatial technologies, and community engagement. They also touch on the challenges of event attendance, upcoming events, and the monetization of their podcast. Ed shares a fun new feature from OpenCage: Shipping Forecast sea areas. He also calls for beta testers of a upcoming new service. Meanwhile Steven is about to head off leaf-peeping in New England, helped of course by thematic maps. Finally the topic turns to Foursquare, who recently announced the closure of their City Guides.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Doug Specht: Mapping the Unmappable

Geomob — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 16:22:35 +0000

This episode is sponsored by Bee Maps.

Doug Specht, a cultural geographer, joins Steven to discuss the power and limitations of maps in representing complex human experiences, particularly in times of conflict. He highlights the decisions that cartographers make about what to include and what to leave out, and how these choices can shape our understanding of a place or situation. Doug emphasizes the importance of recognizing that maps are not neutral or objective, but rather laden with power and subjectivity. He also explores the role of technology in mapping and the need for readers to critically engage with maps and understand their purpose.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Robin Cole: Deep learning and EO

Geomob — Sun, 13 Oct 2024 17:34:02 +0000

This episode is sponsored by Bee Maps.

Dr. Robin Cole joins Alastair to discuss the application of deep learning to satellite imagery and the growing community in this field. Robin shares his background in optical physics and how he transitioned into remote sensing and deep learning. Deep learning, a specific part of the AI family, uses neural networks to process satellite imagery and has seen significant advancements since 2012. The volume of satellite imagery requires automated means of analysis and indexing, and deep learning models have made this possible. There are standardized methods and libraries, such as PyTorch and TorchGeo, that facilitate deep learning in the geospatial domain. The community Robin has built focuses on sharing resources, knowledge, and expertise in deep learning and Earth observation.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed/Steven: A great London night

Geomob — Sun, 06 Oct 2024 20:00:56 +0000

Steven and Ed look back on the recent (ept 18th) Geomob London, a celebration of OpenStreetMap's 20th birthday. It was easily the largest, but also possibly the best, Geomob London yet, with a phenomenal turn out. Our hosts discuss the talks, the crowd, the evolution of the project, the diversity of its community, and the impact of technology and AI on mapping. They explore the balance between corporate involvement and individual contributions, and the global perspective of OpenStreetMap.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Marc Prioleau: Overture leaves beta

Geomob — Sun, 29 Sep 2024 19:31:34 +0000

Mark Prioleau, Executive Directory of the Overture Maps Foundation, rejoins the podcast to share an update. The conversation covers topics such as the general availability of Overture Maps, the data themes available, accessing the data, the hierarchy of sources for buildings data, and the challenges and improvements of the places data. The episode highlights the importance of cloud-native formats and the potential for integrating open data with proprietary data. Overture is focused on creating an open base layer for mapping data that can be used by application developers. They aim to provide a global, open, and entity-based reference system that allows for the conflation of data from various sources. The goal is to create a comprehensive and up-to-date map dataset that can be distributed to billions of people. Finally, Marc shares why he sees the relationship with OpenStreetMap as complimentary.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Kenneth Field: When not to make a map

Geomob — Sun, 22 Sep 2024 19:40:45 +0000

Steven is once again joined by old friend and "professional catornerd" Kenneth Field to discuss the question of whether or not every dataset should be turned into a map. They explore the idea that maps are a form of communication and should be used when they are the best tool for conveying information. They discuss the importance of thoughtful map design and the need to consider the audience and purpose of the map. They lament the proliferation of maps that may not be effective or meaningful. Steven and Ken discuss maps that they regret making, sharing examples of maps that they created but later realized were unnecessary, poorly designed, or insensitive. Overall, they emphasize the importance of asking the right questions and making intentional decisions when creating maps.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Joana Simoes: Geomob Lisbon

Geomob — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 18:28:11 +0000

Ed welcomes back Joana Simoes (a five-time Geomob speaker!) to discuss the upcoming Geoob Lisbon event, which she co-organizes together with Miguel Marques. They explore the growing geospatial scene in Lisbon, the diverse presentations attendees can expect, and the importance of community engagement in the geospatial field. The conversation encourages listeners to participate and connect with others in the geospatial community. We hope to see you in Lisbon on October 2nd!

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Geoff Smith: Land cover datasets

Geomob — Sun, 08 Sep 2024 19:21:42 +0000

Alastair is joined by old friend and former colleague Geoff Smith to discuss land cover mapping, focusing on the European products. Geoff explains his background in geospatial and his work on the UK Land Cover Map projects. They discuss the importance of existing land cover datasets like CORINE and the UK Land Cover Map, and how they can be used for localized land cover data. They also delve into the role of Copernicus, the European Earth Observation Service, and its land monitoring service. Geoff explains the concept of EAGLE, a hierarchical approach to describing land cover and land use, and how it relates to CORINE. Finally (how could it be otherwise) they touch on the potential role of AI in land cover mapping and the challenges it presents.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Jo Walsh: The early days of the open data revolution

Geomob — Sun, 01 Sep 2024 20:57:57 +0000

Ed interviews Jo Walsh, a pioneer of the open data movement, one of the earliest people involved in OpenStreetMap, and co-author of the highly-influential O'Reilly book "Mapping Hacks". They discuss the early days of the open data revolution, the emergence of projects like OpenStreetMap, and the challenges and future of open data. And much more.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed/Steven: summer catch-up

Geomob — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 08:38:22 +0000

Ed and Steven catch up on their summer activities. There is now a Geomob page on Ripple.fm a social network focused around podcasts. We encourage all listeners to join the discussion there. Next topic is the recent exodus from Twitter and the emergence of alternative platforms like Mastodon and speciifically BlueSky, where Steven is now also mirroring Mappery content. The conversation concludes with a reminder about the upcoming Geomob events and a break from #fridaygeotrivia for the month.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

FOSS4G 2024 Preview

Geomob — Sun, 18 Aug 2024 18:32:21 +0000

George Porto Ferreira, chair of sponsorship for FOSS4G 2024, joins Steven to discuss the conference taking place in Belém, Brazil from 2nd-8th of December. This year the annual gathering of the open source geospatial community will focus on the environment, and will feature keynote speakers such as Veronica Andreu, Luis Mota, Ariel Antiany, Tom Crowley, Céline Jaquin, and Gilberto Câmara. As always the program will include workshops, academic papers, and presentations on various geospatial software. The event aims to attract a diverse group of attendees, with a special focus on Latin American participants.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Wil Waters: The Geospatial Index

Geomob — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 08:02:56 +0000

Recent Geomob London speaker (April 2024) Wil Waters discusses the Geospatial Index, a listing of publicly traded geospatial companies he has developed. Wil is host of a new geospatial podcast of the same name. He explains the motivation behind the project and the potential for geospatial practitioners to capture more value from the industry. Wil also explores the idea of creating a publicly tradable entity based on the Geospatial Index and the challenges involved. He emphasizes the importance of taking a systematic approach to investing and encourages geospatial professionals to consider ownership positions in geospatial companies.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Welcome Alastair Graham

Geomob — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 11:47:54 +0000

In this episode we introduce new co-host Alastair Graham, who wil take the lead on all things Earth Observation here on the Geomob podcast!

Long-time geospatial podcast listeners will of course recognize Alastair from the Scene From Above podcast which he co-hosted for several years. We are delighted to add his experience and insights to the show. We discuss Alastair's background in geospatial and Earth observation, and his reasons for returning to podcasting. We then also explore the challenges of making the Earth observation industry commercially viable and the need for education and use cases to create awareness and demand.

It's exciting to add a new voice to the show. Welcome Alastair!

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Dave Whittingham: Kreuzungen

Geomob — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 20:53:41 +0000

Recent Geomob Berlin speaker and avid cyclist Dave Whittingham discusses his project Kreuzungen, a service that allows users to upload their GPX tracks and find out which rivers they have crossed. The project started as a fun idea and has now gained popularity amongst Strava users. Dave highlights the importance of open data and open-source tools in making the project possible. Kreuzungen serves as an example of learning through experimentation and play in the geospatial community.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Shoaib Burq: Geobase

Geomob — Sun, 21 Jul 2024 21:42:18 +0000

Shoaib Burq, the founder of GeoBase, discusses his background in geospatial and the development of GeoBase, a geospatial backend as a service. GeoBase aims to provide developers with a powerful and easy-to-use platform for building geospatial applications. The product handles data storage, querying, and other backend services, allowing developers to focus on creating an amazing user experience. Shoaib highlights the growing demand for geospatial developers and the need for a tool that combines geospatial technology with software engineering. He also mentions various use cases for GeoBase, including real estate search, fleet tracking, and solar energy potential analysis. The project is currently in private beta and will be generally available soon.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Phil Cooper: Amazon Location Services

Geomob — Sun, 14 Jul 2024 18:16:08 +0000

Phil Cooper, an expert in remote sensing and geospatial data, joins the show to discuss Amazon's cloud services and their impact on the space and satellite sector. He explains the launch of Amazon Location Services, which offers mapping and geospatial capabilities tailored for B2B use cases. Phil also highlights the increasing importance of remote sensing and satellite data, driven by the reduced cost of launch and the exponential growth of data volumes. He discusses the process of capturing and processing satellite data, emphasizing the move towards near real-time data delivery. The conversation touches on topics such as data strategy, data formats, and the Overture Maps Initiative.Phil highlights the potential of geospatial data in addressing global challenges and the need for responsible and meaningful questions to be asked. He predicts the rise of companies working in space and the changing nature of the GIS profession.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed/Steven: Belgium/London recap

Geomob — Sun, 07 Jul 2024 17:38:15 +0000

Today's conversation is wide-ranging - taking us through the British electoral system, the distortion of electoral maps, the use of drones in agriculture, the importance of green spaces in cities, and statistical modeling in spatial contexts. The diversity of topics comes about due to our recap of the biggest week days in Geomob history with events in Edinburgh, Leuven (the first Geomob Belgium), and London. Ed had the good fortune to attend the Belgium and London events, he shares his impressions. Finally, the conversation touches on the energy consumption of AI and the need for sustainable solutions.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Lukas Hort: Map Map game

Geomob — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 19:15:34 +0000

Lukas Hort, a game designer at Hamburg-based Pipapo Games, discusses their game Map Map, which is all about cartography and mapping. The game involves exploring islands, marking locations on a map, and finding clues to a legendary lost treasure. The target audience includes map fans and cozy gamers who enjoy relaxing gameplay. The game is still in development and will be available on Steam, where a preview video can be seen.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed/Steven: #geoweirdness, #fridaygeotrivia

Geomob — Sun, 23 Jun 2024 14:03:37 +0000

Steven and Ed discuss #geoweirdness, a series of content "threads" that OpenCage creates on mastodon to engage with their audience and promote their geocoding API. They talk about the challenges of marketing a geocoding API and the need to create content that is interesting and shareable. They discuss the different types of threads, including country-specific threads and threads about specific topics that span all countries. Steven cites the example of the recent thread about the European football championship and the changing borders of countries. From there the discussion moves to #fridaygeotrivia, a live geo trivia game Ed organized on the final Friday of the month on mastodon. He discusses the difficulty of coming up with new topics and questions. Finally, our hosts play a quick round of geo trivia, asking each other questions about football and geography. Ed and Steven encourage listeners to check out the geoWeirdness threads and participate in the geotrivia quizzes.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Steve McLeod: Feature Upvote

Geomob — Sun, 16 Jun 2024 19:21:24 +0000

Ed chats with Steve McLeod, the founder of Feature Upvote, a service that allows customers to suggest and upvote ideas for products. At the recent Geomob Barcelona and Berlin events we used the service to vote for best speaker at Geomob events. They also explore the challenges of gathering feedback, distinguishing between different types of feedback, and overcoming language barriers. Steve shares advice for managing feedback and making customers feel listened to.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed/Steven: Recent events

Geomob — Sun, 09 Jun 2024 20:51:37 +0000

Our conversation covers two recent Geomob events, one in Barcelona and the other in Berlin, with discussions on the talks, speakers, and audience feedback. We then delve into the Amazon geospatial event in London, the new voting system, upcoming Geomob events, and the challenges of managing sponsors. Finally we salute Geomob sponsor Ed Parsons on recently winning the Royal Geographic Society's Professional Geography Award. Well done!

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Gala Camacho: Geomob Edinburgh

Geomob — Sun, 02 Jun 2024 10:39:08 +0000

Gala Camacho, organizer of Geomob Edinburgh, joins Ed on the podcast to discuss her experience organizing the event and provide advice for others interested in starting GeoMob in their cities. The first event in Edinburgh was a success, with a diverse range of talks covering technical, artistic, and business topics. Gala emphasizes the importance of creating a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere at Geomob events, where attendees can make connections and discuss geospatial topics. She also highlights the need for more speakers and encourages anyone interested to submit their ideas. Overall, the event received positive feedback and demonstrated the demand for a geospatial community in Edinburgh. The next Geomob Edinburgh will be on June 25th

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Sanna Jokela: Gispo

Geomob — Sun, 26 May 2024 15:52:16 +0000

Sanna Jokela, CEO of Gispo, joins us to discuss a project the company did with UNESCO's International Institute for Educational Planning, and which was presented at the most recent Geomob Finland in Turku. The project focused on using rainfall data to find optimal school hours in sub-Saharan Africa. Gispo specializes in open source geospatial tools and works with both local and global clients. We also briefly discuss the Finnish geospatial scene, which has a strong emphasis on open source, with many companies using tools like QGIS. The project for UNESCO is still being tested, but the QGIS plugin they developed has the potential for impact in the community. The conversation also touches on the importance of open data and the power of OpenStreetMap in school projects.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

James Morrison: UAV surveying at Ordnance Survey

Geomob — Sun, 19 May 2024 20:27:44 +0000

James Morrison, head pilot and UAS ("Unmanned Aircraft System") lead at Ordnance Survey, discusses the use of drones in mapping and surveying. He shares examples of how drones were used to quickly assess landslips and update mapping in the Isle of Wight, as well as capture data for residential housing developments. James explains the different types of drones used by Ordnance Survey and their capabilities, including capturing imagery with centimeter-level accuracy. He also discusses the importance of safety and following regulations when flying drones. James envisions the continued use of drones in surveying, with potential advancements in sensors and flight times.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Robin Wilson: British Placename Mapper

Geomob — Sun, 12 May 2024 16:19:23 +0000

Robin Wilson, maker of the British Placename Mapper, discusses his project and the power and joy of digital geography. The web app allows users to search and explore British place names, revealing fascinating patterns and historical trends. Robin built the tool for fun during a period of free time and was pleasantly surprised by its viral success on social media and Hacker News. He emphasizes the importance of simplicity in building web geo-focused tools.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Giuseppe Sollazzo: Open Data Camp 9

Geomob — Sun, 05 May 2024 19:46:02 +0000

Giuseppe Sollazzo, an open data expert and one of the organizers of Open Data Camp 9, returns to the podcast to discusses the upcoming event and the state of open data. Open Data Camp 9 will take place on July 6th and 7th in Manchester, and is a community event that brings together people interested in data from various angles, including data activists, OpenStreetMap contributors, and public sector workers. It is a discussion-based unconference where attendees pitch topics and engage in conversations. Giuseppe also talks about the evolution of open data in the UK, highlighting the importance of data maturity and understanding how to use data effectively. He mentions the successes in data release, such as TFL's open transport data, but also acknowledges the challenges of maintaining and standardizing data. We also highlight Giuseppe's weekly data newsletter, which covers a wide range of data-related topics and has been running for 12 years.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Carston Hernke: Honeycomb Maps

Geomob — Sun, 28 Apr 2024 09:22:30 +0000

Carston Hernke, the founder of Honeycomb Maps, and recent Geomob Berlin speaker, shares his journey of building a geospatial data analysis tool using WebAssembly. He discusses the frustration of building geospatial applications that don't meet user needs and the aha moment of discovering the concept of direct manipulation. Carston explains how WebAssembly allows for faster and more responsive geospatial experiences in the browser. He introduces Honeycomb Maps, a tool designed for operations teams in the mobility and last-mile delivery markets. Carston emphasizes the importance of simplicity in geospatial tools and offers resources for learning more about WebAssembly.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed/Steven: Updates/London recap

Geomob — Sat, 20 Apr 2024 21:53:59 +0000

In this week's conversation Ed and Steven recap the recent Geomob London event, including discussing the best speaker contest and potential improvements to the voting process. They mull how to best celebrate the 20th anniversary of OpenStreetMap's founding. Finally the discussion turns to recent developments on their respective projects, including a feature in The New York Times for Mapillary and tutorial videos for OpenCage.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Sean Wiid: UP42

Geomob — Sun, 14 Apr 2024 19:58:24 +0000

Steven is joined by old friend Sean Wiid to discuss UP42, a geospatial marketplace and platform that connects users with commercial geospatial data sources and processing algorithms. Sean shares his journey in the geospatial industry and explains how UP42 aims to address the complexity and fragmentation in the Earth observation and geospatial industry. They discuss the tasking of satellites, the number of data providers on the platform, and the importance of analytics-ready data. Sean also highlights the differences between UP42 and other competing marketplaces and emphasizes the focus on providing a user-friendly interface and API for customers.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Octavio Herrera: AddressHub

Geomob — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 17:45:57 +0000

In this episode Ed interviews Octavio Herrera, the founder of recently-launched AddressHub, an address intelligence API for parcel delivery companies. Octavio discusses the importance of address data and the challenges associated with it. He highlights common mistakes in address data, such as abbreviations, inconsistent formatting, and assumptions about addresses working the same way in different countries. Octavio explains how AddressHub helps solve these issues by cleaning and normalizing address data and using multiple geocoders to find accurate coordinates. He also shares his perspective on alternate address solutions. Finally, Octavio promises he will be speaking at a Geomob Berlin in the near future.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Nigel Edmead: enumanation

Geomob — Sun, 31 Mar 2024 13:24:00 +0000

Nigel Edmead, of enumanation, joins Steven to discuss the importance of teaching geospatial professionals how to articulate the business benefits of their work. He explains that geospatial professionals need business skills to compete for investment resources and secure funding for geospatial projects. Nigel highlights the need for soft skills, such as communication and marketing, to effectively promote the adoption and uptake of geospatial information. He describes the development of a certificate of leadership skills for geospatial professionals and the delivery of e-learning modules and webinars. Nigel emphasizes the importance of tailoring business skills training to the geospatial industry and providing real-world case studies and examples.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

James Milner: Terra Draw

Geomob — Sun, 24 Mar 2024 20:57:23 +0000

Ed is joined by recent Geomob London speaker James Milner who discusses Terra Draw, a cross-platform, open source map editing tool. He explains the inspiration behind Terra Draw and its use cases, highlighting its differentiation from other mapping tools. James shares the current status of the project and future plans, as well as the open-source nature of Terra Draw and the contributions from the community. He discusses funding and sponsorship, including the support he received from OSGeo UK. James reflects on his experience presenting at FOSS4G and the value of the Geomob community. He concludes by inviting listeners to get involved with Terra Draw and share their feedback.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Jorge Sanz: Elastic Geo

Geomob — Sun, 17 Mar 2024 20:00:43 +0000

Steven's guest this week is Jorge Sanz. They discuss the evolution of open source in the geospatial industry, particularly around the role of larger tech companies like Carto, where Jorge previously worked, and Elastic, where he now works. They delve into the capabilities of Elasticsearch and its use in geospatial applications. The conversation touches on the importance of data privacy and ownership, as well as the need for individuals to have an exit strategy from social media platforms. Jorge also shares his involvement in the geospatial community, Geoinquiets Valencia, his recent visit to his first in-person Geomob event in Barcelona, and his aspirations for a Geomob chapter in Valencia.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Jake Cracknell: doorways.ai

Geomob — Sun, 10 Mar 2024 20:28:52 +0000

Ed Freyfogle interviews Jake Cracknell, co-founder and CTO of doorways.ai, a company focused on geocoding and routing for the delivery use case. They discuss the frustration of navigating the last 100 meters of a delivery and the need for efficient routing and parking solutions. Jake explains how doorways.ai provides navigable geocoding, doorway geocoding, and optimized paths that avoid barriers. He also highlights the challenges of geocoding and routing in complex areas and the potential for using AI and machine learning in the future. The recently-founded company now exposes a public demo so potential users can see the benefits of doorstep level geocoding. Finally, no discussion of geocoding or routing would be complete with out a horror story. Jake and team have done the analysis and found the worst routing example in the UK.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Max Lenormand: AI and Geo

Geomob — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 07:42:04 +0000

Max Lenormand returns to the podcast, this time to join Steven in discussing the emergence of generative AI and its applications in the geospatial field. Max explores the challenges and opportunities of using generative AI in geospatial data analysis and mapping. The conversation delves into the importance of trust and accuracy in geospatial data, as well as the potential impact of AI on historical mapping and indoor mapping. Max also shares his concerns and excitement about the future of AI in geospatial and envisions a future where explainability and trust are key factors in AI-generated data.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed/Steven: GeomobEDI is coming, LON, BCN, and BER recaps

Geomob — Sun, 25 Feb 2024 20:47:24 +0000

Ed and Steven announce the first ever Geomob Edinburgh (March 26th) and recap recent Geomob events in London, Barcelona, and Berlin.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Thierry Gregorius: True Horizon Coaching - geospatial as a transferable skill

Geomob — Sun, 18 Feb 2024 20:42:57 +0000

Old friend Thierry Gregorius, an executive coach and founder of True Horizon Coaching - and occasional London geomobster - discusses his journey from the geospatial industry to coaching. He highlights the transferable skills developed within the geospatial industry and the challenges faced by professionals transitioning in and out of the industry. Thierry and Ed also explore the impact of AI on the geospatial industry and emphasizes the importance of human skills, such as emotional intelligence and creativity, in complementing AI capabilities. We conclude with advice for individuals contemplating their career paths.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Patrick Ribeiro: explorer.land

Geomob — Sun, 11 Feb 2024 17:57:56 +0000

Ed and Patrick Ribeiro discuss explorer.land, a map-based storytelling and transparency tool for nature-based projects related to climate change. The platform allows organizations to showcase their projects on a map, providing transparency and accountability to stakeholders. It offers features such as aerial imagery, thematic layers, and real-time data to help users understand the impact of these projects. The goal is to build trust and encourage financial support for organizations working on climate change initiatives. Patrick emphasizes the importance of addressing real challenges and needs on the ground rather than focusing solely on technology. He also highlights the role of storytelling in effectively communicating the impact of these projects.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ana Lucia González Paz: A Map Inside

Geomob — Sun, 04 Feb 2024 15:04:28 +0000

Steven interviews Ana Lucia González Paz, a senior journalist in visual journalism with the BBC World Service. They discuss the role of visual journalism in a radio program, the importance of maps in storytelling, and the personal connection between maps and memories. Ana Lucia shares her inspiration for creating A Map Inside, a flip book that explores the geography of mountains and how they shape our identities. They also touch on the topic of disputed borders and the challenges of creating maps that are acceptable in different regions. Ana Lucia reveals her future project of researching her ancestor's involvement in cartography.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Women in geo: the role of internships and mentorship

Geomob — Sun, 28 Jan 2024 21:06:02 +0000

In this episode Neelima Mohanty and Pragya Pant share their experiences as young women in the geospatial industry and the impact of mentorship on their careers. They discuss the challenges they face as women in a male-dominated field and the importance of equal opportunities. Nalima talks about her internships and the practical experience she gained, while Pragya highlights the transformative nature of mentorship. They offer advice to mentors and mentees, emphasizing the need for flexibility, guidance, and promotion of underrepresented individuals. The conversation also touches on the importance of gender representation at tech events and ways to encourage more women speakers.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed/Steven: We need money

Geomob — Sun, 21 Jan 2024 23:53:27 +0000

Ed and Steven catch up on their holiday experiences, their projects, and look forward to this week's Geomob London event. They discuss the growing financial challenges of running Geomob and explore potential sponsorship ideas to cover the rising costs. One idea is to offer a 'buy one, get one free' sponsorship package, where sponsors support both the podcast and an open-source project.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Auren Hoffman: SafeGraph

Geomob — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 11:19:42 +0000

Joining Ed this week is data expert Auren Hoffman. Auren is the founder of SafeGraph, a geospatial company that aggregates geospatial data from multiple sources and sell it to a diverse list of clients. Listen in as Auren explains where the data comes from, how it is used, and the issues around accuracy. They also discuss the business of places data and the type of clients that need it the most. The key, according to Auren, is knowing your customer and building your product with them in mind. Tune in to learn about Safegraph’s Placekey initiative, an entity matching system for places that enables merging/syncing of places data. Learn how to access this highly accurate merging system on this week’s episode.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed/Steven: Tools we use

Geomob — Sun, 07 Jan 2024 18:55:32 +0000

In this episode, Steven and Ed discuss their favorite tools and workflows for daily tasks. They cover clipboard management tools like Clip Menu and Clipy, the differences between browser-based and local installations, the use of password managers like OnePassword and LastPass, the power of the Perl programming language, and the convenience of QGIS to Web for building interactive web maps. They emphasize the importance of mastering tools and investing time to understand their full functionality. The episode concludes with a New Year's resolution to make the most of the tools at hand.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

MapAction / CDEMA / Humanitarian Mapping

Geomob — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 15:15:04 +0000

We start off 2024 with a new series focussing on the humanitarian use of GIS and partnering with MapAction, the humanitarian mapping charity and volunteer driven organisation that works with local and regional disaster management agencies worldwide. Joining Steven are Renee Babb, Lavern Ryan, and Alan Mills. The focus of the discussion is the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and their partnership with MapAction. Lavern has been working at the government of the small community of Montserrat and she is also a volunteer with MapAction. She has some great insight about the use of GIS for land use planning, biodiversity and conservation and disaster risk reduction. The Caribbean is particularly vulnerable to natural disasters due to its location, but organisations such as CDEMA have been helping to ease the burden before, during, and after these disasters occur. Renee, who is from Barbados, is the GIS specialist at CDEMA. Alan has been with MapAction for over 15 years and has undertaken many emergency missions in the Caribbean. Tune in to find out what it's like to experience these disasters first hand, how the different organisations find ways to collaborate and to learn if the systems in place can be used in other regions.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Geomob Christmas Special

Geomob — Tue, 26 Dec 2023 15:53:47 +0000

Once again we convene the Geomob expert panel to look back on 2023 and make predictions for 2024. Join Steven, Ed and the geo-elves: Ken Field, Mark Iliffe, Jeremy Morley, Ed Parsons Denise McKenzie, and Alex Wrottesley for our extra-long holiday special.

We wish all of our listeners a restful holiday break and a geotastic 2024!

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Angel Arenas: Giant Interactive Maps

Geomob — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 18:53:58 +0000

You'll want to take a look at these photos before you listen to this episode. Joining Steven this week is anthropologist and humanist Angel Arenas, the creator of Giant Interactive Maps that promote different territories in a gamified way. These huge outdoor maps are placed in public spaces and walked on by hundreds of people at a time. However, they are not just works of art, the public is encouraged to answer questions and interact via virtual reality and learn about the areas on the map. Angel and his team work with politicians, universities, and various organisations that want to connect people and promote their country or region across the world. The maps offer activities for people of all ages even as young as three! Tune in to find out how they are made, and how you can get involved.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Simon Poole: The state of OpenStreetMap editors

Geomob — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 13:40:57 +0000

Simon Poole returns to Geomob this week for a deeper look at building an OpenStreetMap editor. Having spent the last ten years working on Vespucci, an OSM editor for Android phones, Simon is well versed in OSM editor innovation. Editors have come a long way since OSM started. The main difference is that everyone now has a mobile device, and for some users, that’s all they have. The devices themselves have evolved with a wide range of features and sensors, how do they impact the capabilities of OSM editors such as Vespucci? There are actually only a handful of "full" editors currently active while there are many specific use case editors with a small number of users. Join Ed and Simon as they discuss the positives and negatives of creating new editors (as opposed to joining active projects).

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed/Steven: Final catch-up episode of 2023

Geomob — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 19:27:01 +0000

Steven and Ed wrap up the year (though don't worry, our traditonal Christmas Chaos episode is coming!) by running through their various projects. Ed is proud to continue OpenCage's long-running, end-of-year tradition of donating to HOT, while Steven calls for submissions for Mappery's "12 days of Christmas" (while also bragging about now being the owner of mapsinthewild.org). All this and much more ...

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Jorit Schmelzle: Peregrine.ai

Geomob — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 14:58:05 +0000

The topic this week is "vehicle video analysis" as Jorit Schmelzle - a recent speaker at Geomob Berlin - joins Ed to talk about his company: Peregrin. Using various devices such as dash cams or smartphones, Peregrin collects visual data for real time interventions as well as later use. Primarily used by professional driver fleets, the data helps to alert drivers on their journeys in various dangerous situations. The data can also help drivers later to review situations or provide information on vehicle safety. The video data can also be useful for third parties like mapmakers or city road crews. Tune in to find out they are able to collect the data while ensuring privacy is protected, and what's in store for the future or Peregrin.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Marco Bernasocchi: QField

Geomob — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 09:27:33 +0000

Geomob welcomes back Marco Bernasocchi this week for a close look at QField. With a full QGIS core QField has a user interface that is made for amateur users. Digitising and taking care of mobile data so that you can do what you need to do "in the field" with all the data available to you anywhere you are. There is now also a QField Cloud that synchronises the data. Listen in as Steven and Marco discuss the benefits of open source technology due to transparency and collabortation. While QGIS has many companies working on it there is a higher chance of conflict in code alterations, in QField they are stricter about what is added, and have more control so there is a lower risk of clashes. Find out how many users have embraced QField and what is on the horizon for 2024.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Miika Sikala: Biila

Geomob — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 11:19:05 +0000

There are many services that focus on transporting people by cars, but on this episode of the Geomob podcast, we flip things around and learn about an on-demand service where people transport cars. Our guest today is Miika Sikala, winner of the best speaker prize at last week's Geomob Finland and research director at Biila, where they solve the complex problem of short and fast delivery of vehicles to buyers or dealers. Miika explains the use cases, the complex logistics of the service, and shares his insights. Tune in to find out how using freelance drivers and chaining multiple trips helps Biila to deliver vehicles in an efficient and economical way.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed/Steven: Lisbon recap, What3Words debate

Geomob — Sun, 05 Nov 2023 20:34:40 +0000

Another Steven and Ed catchup. After briefly recapping the Lisbon event, Ed rants a bit about Wise's recent decision to change OpenCage's bank account number on very minimal notice. But then the discussion turns to What3Words, a company many in the georati love to hate. Our hosts recount a recent experiment in which Chris Sheldrick (What3Words co-founder, and past Geomob London speaker) posted a letter to himself using only a What3Words "3 word address". The letter arrived in two business days!

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

David Overton: SplashMaps

Geomob — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 17:09:29 +0000

Come for the geo-merch, stay for the e-textiles! If you’re a frequent Geomob London attendee you will be familiar with this weeks’ guest David Overton, co-founder of SplashMaps, sponsor of our best speaker prize. David has been on the podcast before to introduce us to SplashMaps. Since then, the business has grown and the use cases for SplashMaps have expanded. When you can’t, or don’t want to use your mobile device, you can make and have a map that everyone can look at and use. Whatx separates their maps from other custom mapmakers are the materials used. Adventure lovers are already using these maps for hiking or cycling trips. SplashMaps have also been found useful for commemorative walks, people tracing the battles of their ancestors or history buffs are using them. They are navigational aides, and sometimes mementos of adventures past. David explains how a partnership with academia led SplashMaps to the newest e-textile tech. If you’ve never heard of e-textile you should definitely tune in to this episode. Find out why maps are an easy and effective way to exhibit the advances in this new tech

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Petya Kangalova: HOT Tech and Innovation WG

Geomob — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 12:43:14 +0000

This week's episode focuses on open tech, diversity, and inclusion as Petya Kangalova joins Steven. Petya is an Open Tech Advocate and works in Community Engagement at HOTOSM. Proving that you don’t need to have a degree in tech to make an impact, Petya explains there are many ways of getting involved even if you’re new to tech or mapping. Steven and Petya discuss the lack of diversity in tech and ponder how to change that. The first step, according to Petya is having an awareness of your privileges. Only then you can begin to work as an ally. While many focus on the lack of women in tech, it’s not only about gender inclusion but also being inclusive of those who may not have the same access or the language skills. Tune in to find out how HOT is contributing to diversifying and how you can be an ally too.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Hannah Babineau: Data Appeal

Geomob — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 13:03:17 +0000

Joining Ed this week is Hannah Babineau from Data Appeal. Hannah explains how Data Appeal is processing and organising geospatial data for brands to use in marketing campaigns. Listen in as she explains the process of sorting through the vast amount of data and making it useful for clients such as Best Western and the Campari Group. Simplifying and democratising data is the mission, and there certainly is a lot to work. Hannah explains some use cases, how AI tech contributes, and how data literacy varies geographically. Tune in to learn which industries are at the forefront of utilising geographic data and who could benefit making better use of data.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ben Abelshausen: State of the Map Europe 2023

Geomob — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 09:25:59 +0000

The European OpenStreetMap (OSM) community is having its biggest meeting - State of the Map Europe - next month in Antwerp, from November 10-12th, so Ed catches up with one of the organizers: Ben Abelshausen. Ben is not new to State of the Map, he has been a part of the OSM community for over 15 years and has organised State of the Map before. Ben fills us in on the Belgium OSM community. Ed and Ben exchange ideas on how to get a younger generation involved in not only mapping but also participating in organising these crucial networking events. This year the focus will be less on content and more on the social side of the conference so many chances for those who are looking to connect and networking with the OSM community to do so. Tune in to find out why you should come to Antwerp in November.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed/Steven: BCN, LON, FOSS4GUK recaps

Geomob — Sun, 01 Oct 2023 21:25:22 +0000

Steven shares his impressions from FOSS4G UK Local, and then Ed and Steven look back on recent Geomob events in London and Barcelona. We hope you can join us at an in-person Geomob in the near future.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Celebrating 200 episodes!

Geomob — Sun, 24 Sep 2023 19:41:26 +0000

Steven and Ed reflect on achieving the milestone of 200 episodes. They are joined by fellow geospatial podcaster Maxime Lenormand to discuss the challenge of endurance. As the saying goes: "Building is easy, maintaining is hard", a truism that particularly applies to the work of geospatial: the world never stops changing. Join us as discuss the challenge of long-running projects and plot the path forward.

Many thanks to all the podcast guests over the years, and especially to the listeners. We look forward to many more episodes.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Denise McKenzie: PLACE Trust

Geomob — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 09:43:28 +0000

This week Steven chats with a special guest about the non-profit mapping organization PLACE. Denise McKenzie is a veteran in the geospatial community with over 20 years experience in the field. She returns to the podcast for the third time to explain why mapping data is so important in the modern digital ecosystem and how this startup is making a difference across the world. Tune in to find out how PLACE is fulfilling their mission to map the urban world, how they are funded, and which countries have already benefited from their work.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Sascha Klement: Bareways

Geomob — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 18:48:01 +0000

Do you like travelling off the beaten path? Joining Ed this week is Sascha Klement of Bareways. Offering a different approach to navigation, Bareways provides a highly customisable routing service. Find out how the service works, what they are doing differently than Google and other major players, and what technical challenges Bareways' creators face. The service is thriving with features such as weather routing, and Sascha is looking to add new members to the team. Tune in to find out more.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Chloe Bolland: Fantasy Maps

Geomob — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 14:47:21 +0000

This week's guest warrants an immediate visit to her website so you can look at the maps while you listen. Joining Steven is fantasy book, role play game, and computer game cartographer Chloe Bolland. A physicist by trade, Chloe explains how in her spare time she is able to combine her love of maps and games into a fun side hustle. Tune in to learn all about the latest projects for Chloe and which celebrity got commissioned her for a custom role play map. If you’re a Tolkien maps fan you’ll definitely want to check out Chloe’s work.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Tim Fernando: Esplorio

Geomob — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 09:42:32 +0000

Ed welcomes a distinguished Geomob speaker to the podcast this week. Tim Fernando has won best speaker at Geomob London twice. One of those talks was about his travel journal service Esplorio. Esplorio is an app for those who don’t want to share their journeys with the entire internet universe, but still want to document and share with a few. The program allows you to record your trips automatically without draining battery with constant manual check ins. Tim is now looking for a new operator for the business, someone who sees the potential and the need to make it even bigger. Tune in to learn more aboue Esplorio, and what it takes to run the travel documenting service in a post pandemic world.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed/Steven: Summer geonews

Geomob — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 07:34:11 +0000

Ed and Steven take a break from summer break to chime in on some recent geonews. First up they consider the Overture dataset release, then the discussion turns to whether Apple Maps has improved and/or whether Google Maps has worsened.

Enjoy the break everyone and we hope to see you at Geomob events in September.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Rebecca Firth: Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team

Geomob — Mon, 14 Aug 2023 15:28:21 +0000

This week the spotlight is on the new Executive Director of the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT), Rebecca Firth. Chatting with Steven, Rebecca recalls how she got involved with HOT, what the volunteer run organisation has achieved, and what you can expect as she moves forward with her new role. The main goal is to map under mapped places in an area home to a billion people across 94 countries. HOT aims to address community needs through mapping, make mapping accessible for everyone, and make data usable for as many people as possible. Tune in to find out what’s in store for HOT with Rebecca at the helm, the role of AI in mapping, and how you can get involved.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Andy Allan: Early days of OpenStreetMap

Geomob — Mon, 07 Aug 2023 11:43:04 +0000

OpenStreetMap (OSM) is 19 years old! As the global project completes its ‘teen years’, Ed reflects back on the early days along with OSM veteran Andy Allan. Going back to the early days when there were only 20 streets mapped, Ed and Andy discuss what was and what is to come for OSM in the next twenty years. You’ll hear all about the slow but satisfying process or early virtual mapping days. Whether you're a long-time OSMer or just joining the community, tune in to the discussion of how far OpenStreetMap has come but also whether fundamental changes are needed to continue the growth.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Akansha Saklani: Energy Access Explorer

Geomob — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 11:17:46 +0000

This week we hear from Akansha Saklani from the World Resources Institute. If you haven’t heard of the WRI before you’re not alone, the program was news to Steven. Listen in as Steven chats with Akansha about the very important work she is doing through the Energy Access Exlorer Program at WRI. Akansha leads the creation of energy access maps that show electrical data in India, and other parts of the world, with the aim of improving the service delivery outcomes and reach UN sustainable development goals. Learn how the WRI works with municipalities and communities to bring electricity to the billions who do not have stable access.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Dario Raijman: Textomap

Geomob — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 08:29:19 +0000

Turning words into maps is no easy feat, but that’s exactly what our guest this week does. Joining Ed for a chat is Dario Raijman of Textomap, an easy map making tool that works with natural text (in many different languages) to instantly create interactive maps. Dario explains how Textomap differs from other map creation websites/apps: there is no need for app or tool downloads and there are several ways to turn text into a map, even using an AI prompt. To put it simply, it’s fast, easy and helpful for travellers, content creators, teachers and anyone who may need a quick map. Tune in to find out how a two-person, husband and wife team manages this major task.

Textomap will be presented at the next Geomob Berlin on September 27th.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Roman Tsisyk: Organic Maps

Geomob — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 09:40:11 +0000

OpenStreetMap is well known by the geospatial community, but does the average person use it? To help answer this question this week Ed welcomes Roman Tsisyk to the podcast. Roman, a co-founder of Organic Maps, the most widely used consumer-facing, OSM-based mapping service. In their discussion, Ed and Roman explain the differences users experience with Google Maps vs OSM and discuss how the two can work together. Organic Maps is a privacy-focused, open-source fork of Maps.me app. The offline feature makes it particularly convenient for travellers, hikers, and cyclists. Listen as Roman explains how he and his team use the power of community to keep evolving their maps, and why having "regular people" contribute to mapping is so important.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed/Steven: Tel Aviv and London events

Geomob — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 21:19:42 +0000

Steven and Ed discuss Florian Ledermann's geospatial Mastodon list before looking back on the recent Geomob events in Tel Aviv and London. Have a great summer everyone.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ant Scott: Volunteering at MapAction

Geomob — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 10:14:26 +0000

This week tune in to hear what it’s like to volunteer at MapAction. Steven chats with an old friend: Ant Scott. MapAction is "the bridge which enables geospatial experts and professionals to contribute their services to helps with global humanitarian needs" - a non-profit that partners with organisations all over the world to help prepare and respond to humanitarian emergencies. In this episode Steven dives deep into the day to day of MapAction activities. Ant explains the response process step-by-step with anecdotes from his own experiences. Join in for this enlightening chat and shout out to the amazing volunteers.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Juha Koponen: CollectiveCrunch

Geomob — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 08:21:40 +0000

This week Ed chats with the winner of the best speaker prize at the April 2023 Geomob Finland. Juha Koponen is the COO of CollectiveCrunch. To put it simply, CollectiveCrunch counts and analyzes the trees in the forest using remote sensing. Juha and his team combine the latest tech in geospatial including earth observation, machine learning, and AI, to assess forestry needs quickly and accurately. Tackling problems like forest density and bark beetles activity, CollectiveCrunch is able to monitor what goes on in the forest without always needing to travel long distances and measure manually. Listen in as Ed and Juha deep dive into the mechanics of machine learning and AI specifically for forestry and learn about the benefits of this technology for other applications.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Merve Keskin: Map Usability

Geomob — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 13:09:31 +0000

Joining Ed for an interesting chat this week is Dr. Merve Keskin, a geomatics engineer and cartographer who works for the National Land Survey of Finland and the Finnish Geospatial Research Institute. Merve studies how people use maps with a focus on eye tracking. With the rise of mobile maps and mapping apps there is an assumption that getting around is simpler, but is it? Do the navigation tools affect our spatial cognition positively or negatively? Merve explains in detail what you can learn by studying how people use maps and gives some advice to cartographers who want to create maps that people will actually use. Tune in for this informative conversation.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed/Steven: Berlin recap, Lyft embraces OSM

Geomob — Sun, 11 Jun 2023 12:34:45 +0000

A catch up episodes with our hosts Ed and Steven. Ed recounts the second Geomob Berlin (summary thread). Steven is already on the ground in Tel Aviv where Ed will soon join him for the June 20th GeomobTLV. In other news OpenCage is again mentoring an OpenStreetMap Google Summer of Code project, while Mappery once again grapples with the technical snafu of publishing to Twitter. Finally the discussion turns to Lyft's recent announcement that they will begin relying on OpenStreetMap for their maps.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Jennifer Ding: London Data Week

Geomob — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 09:44:17 +0000

This week we spotlight an exciting event: London Data Week. This city wide festival will take place from 3rd to the 9th of July and is meant to bring London’s thriving data community together. It’s also a chance to brainstorm ideas on how to bring useful data to the general public. Joining Steven is Jen Ding of the Alan Turing Institute (and winner of the SplashMap best speaker prize at our April 2023 London event). Jen explains the aims of the week and gives Steven a preview of what to expect. Whether you’re into cycling, comedy, or AI, London Data Week has it all. This community led event aims to encourage people to actively participate in data collection themselves. Events by Citi Maps, Geomob London on the evening of July 5th, and Statisticians for Society are just some highlights of the festival, tune in to find out what else is in store and how you can participate.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Nick Patrick: Radar

Geomob — Mon, 29 May 2023 07:09:06 +0000

Joining Ed this week is co-founder and CEO of Radar, Nick Patrick. Radar is a New York based company that aims to be the go to all-in-one location infrastructure provider. Over the past years they have worked with many consumer brands to create innovative geospatial experiences, and the company is now working on the next generation of foreground/product-centric geofencing use cases, like "in-store mode" for retailers or order ahead arrival detection for restaurants. A lot has changed over the past 15 years, while privacy and permissions have become more difficult to obtain, location accuracy has vastly improved. Radar is at the forefront of working with consumer brands to bring modern geospatial interactions to life. Tune in to hear Ed and Nick chat about the challenges of working with geocoding, the development of open source maps, and geofences.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

FOSS4G 2023 Preview

Geomob — Mon, 22 May 2023 08:09:57 +0000

This week Steven chats with two member of the team responsible for FOSS4G 2023, which will be held in Prizren, Kosovo from June 26th to July 2nd. Steven shares his own FOSS4G experience with Besfort Guri and Gresa Neziri ahead of their first ever FOSS4G in Kosovo. The hosts hope to spotlight Kosovo and bring attention to their local geospatial organisations, but they have also assembled an international team to ensure there is a wide range of topics and experts in attendance. The three chat about the logistics of organising this event, and share which speakers they are looking forward to the most. The conference will only be available in person this year, but there is still time to register to join. Tune in to find out how to get involved.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Peter Rushforth: Maps for HTML

Geomob — Mon, 15 May 2023 13:26:17 +0000

This week Ed chats with Peter Rushforth from the Maps for HTML project. This is an open source project with accessibility at the centre of their work. With their "lead by example" approach, the community has defined a vocabulary to make maps native elements of the web. Peter is convinced that specifying and implementing accessible maps on the web remains not only possible, but also of huge potential benefit to society. Tune in to find out where the project is now, how to get involved, and what drives Peter to continue with the project despite the difficulty of the undertaking.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Xavier Banqué: Rokubun / State of GNSS

Geomob — Mon, 08 May 2023 10:14:41 +0000

Do you know the difference between GNSS and GPS? This week Ed chats with Xavier Banqué Casanovas from Rokubun. Xavier is a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) expert and the perfect person to explain the importance of precise geolocation. Learn how GNSS has evolved, how it can be used for mass market applications and how accurate it actually is in this weeks episode. For those familiar with GNSS, you’ll want to tune in to hear about the hottest research topic in the GNSS area and what solutions are on the rise for those pesky GNSS/GPS jammers and spoofers.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ariel Seidman: Hivemapper

Geomob — Mon, 01 May 2023 18:47:02 +0000

Joining Ed for a chat this week is the CEO and founder of Hivemapper, Ariel Seidman. A relatively new player to the crowdsourced map community, Hivemapper is mapping the world using custom dashcams built with mapping in mind. In contrast to models like Waze, Hivemapper believes every contributor should be rewarded for their contribution. Drivers earn cryptocurrency (HONEY tokens) as they drive and contribute to the map. Hivemapper has mapped over two million kilometers in the United States and Europe. Listen in to learn how this new tech is pushing a new paradigm in mapping, and how you can get involved.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed/Steven: Helsinki and London recap, more sponsors needed

Geomob — Sun, 23 Apr 2023 19:56:36 +0000

Ed had the pleasure of attending the first Geomob Finand in Helsinki (see the summary thread), and was then off to London to join Steven for the biggest Geomob London ever (summary thread). They recap both events, ponder the skyrocketing price of beer in UK (which means we really could do with some more sponsors), muse briefly on whether London has lost its international technical mojo, and then give brief updates on their projects.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Melinda Clarke: The Melbourne Map

Geomob — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 11:02:48 +0000

What does it take to make a detailed illustrated map of Melbourne? A lot. On this episode Steven speaks with the self-proclaimed ‘accidental map maker’ Melinda Clarke. This large scale map project began 30 years ago when Melinda was travelling and collecting illustrated maps. When she couldn’t find one for her own town, Melbourne, she decided to make it. Listen in as she explains the journey that includes hitchhiking on helicopters, last minute hot air ballon flights, and years of ‘ink on paper’ drawing. Melinda's love affair with her hometown continues 30 years on with a new Melbourne map available in traditional or jigsaw form. Tune in to hear about the process of this amazing map/art project and what Melinda is working on next.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Brandon Liu: Protomaps

Geomob — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 08:00:00 +0000

Joining Ed this week is cartographic technologist and the man behind Protomaps, Brandon Liu. Protomaps is a set of tools for creating and deploying maps, or as Brandon describes it: an open source Google maps. Tune in to learn how Protomaps attempts to simplify map making for some of the more underserved groups including journalists and non-profit organisations. Ed and Brandon discuss the cost and complexity of using OpenStreetMap for your business, and clear up some misunderstandings and misconceptions about mapping with open data. Is a simpler and radically cheaper service really possible? Listen in to find out!

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed/Steven: Geounicorns

Geomob — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 08:37:14 +0000

In this episode Steven and Ed examine challenge of commercializing geo. They discuss the evolution of Citymapper and Mapbox, and muse about how much money you need burn to create a unicorn. Is it possible in the age of open data and open source, even with a mountain of VC money? And how much can/should companies give back to the open community before jeopardising their own position?

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Jérémy Garniaux: Mapstodon

Geomob — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 08:35:59 +0000

Are you still using Twitter? This week the focus is on Mapstodon, the cartography and geospatial server on Mastodon. Steven chats with spatial data scientist and geographer: Jérémy Garniaux. Jérémy is the man behind Mapstodon, the server created a few months ago when Twitter uncertainty drove all the self-proclaimed geeks to Mastodon. Jérémy and Steven discuss the differences between Twitter and Mastodon and reminisce about Twitter's early "non-toxic" days. Tune in to find out how to join Mapstodon, and how you can contribute to keep it running.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Antti Jakobsson: Geomob Finland

Geomob — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 08:38:06 +0000

Gearing up for the first Geomob Finland on April 13th, this week Ed chats with one of the organisers: Antti Jakobson. Antti has been working with the National Land Survey of Finland for over 30 years. This year he is also leading a new Location Innovation Hub as part of the European Digital Innovation Hub network. Antti fills us in on what you can expect from a Finnish crowd and how it may differ from previous Geomob events. Ed will be speaking alongside speakers from Zero Gravity, ICEYE, Collective Crunch, and CGI. Tune in to find out why Antti decided to partner with Geomob and learn about the geospatial community in Finland.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Nama Budhathoki: HOT Turkey/Syria response

Geomob — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 10:02:09 +0000

This week the focus is on the aftermath of the recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. Joining Ed for an important chat is Nama Budhathoki, Regional Director of the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Teams (HOT) Open Mapping Hub - Asia Pacific. Nama explains what type of help mapping can offer and how mappers across the world can help those struggling in Turkey and Syria today. Learn what it takes for HOT to step in, the importance of a thriving local community, and what steps HOT has made one month in. Thinking of doing something to help? Nama explains what is needed now and how to you can get involved.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed/Steven: Berlin recap, ChatGPT support pain

Geomob — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 13:11:41 +0000

Ed and Steven catch up following the first Geomob Berlin. Listen in as Ed recalls the most interesting parts of GeomobBER and announces dates for the upcoming Helsinki, London, and Tel Aviv events. Then the discussion turns to what’s new with OpenCage and Mappery. There is new pricing at OpenCage, and an important reminder for anyone using OpenCage: they cannot, never have, and never will provide mobile phone location tracking. Tune in to find out how Ed’s Mastodon post about his strange ordeal went viral.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Edoardo Neerhut: Building communities in open

Geomob — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 10:55:00 +0000

This week Steven chats with Edoardo Neerhut about his work with Mapillary for internet giant Meta. Edoardo started off as an intern at Mapillary and is now the Program Manager, XR Insight: Maps - Reality Labs. Listen in as these two discuss the differences between OSGeo and OpenStreetMap communities, Edoardo’s work with OSGeo Oceania, and the perception of big corporations in the community. Tune in to learn about his "ideology free" approach to problem solving and why listening to the community is so important in open.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Mikel Maron: Reflecting on OSM

Geomob — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 09:30:00 +0000

This week we’re going back to the early days of OpenStreetMap for a moment this week as Ed chats with Mikel Maron - his oldest OSM colleague. Mikel introduced Ed to OSM back in 2006 and has since gone on to many OSM accomplishments. He is currently the longest serving OpenStreetMap Foundation board member. Ed and Mikel reminisce about their journey with OSM, discuss the current state of OSM, and how passion affects progress. Find out what it’s like on the inside of the OSMF board and how things really work. Can communication improve at OSM? How will Overture change the landscape? Listen in to hear as this OSM pioneer weighs in. Plus, find out about Mikel's new job and the role geospatial tech plays in climate and environmental problem solutions, and how you can collaborate.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Randal Hale: GeoHipster

Geomob — Sun, 12 Feb 2023 17:28:00 +0000

In this week’s episode Ed finds out what the future holds for GeoHipster. Taking over from Mike Dolbow, Randal Hale has become the new CEO of GeoHipster, your source of what’s hip in all things geo. If you haven’t heard about GeoHipster before you’re missing out. Over 10 years of interviews, calendars, and cool maps, later Randal is still consistently updating the exact definition of "hip" but fans will be happy to hear there are no major changes under the new leadership. Listen in to find out how you and your geopatial idea can be featured

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Looking back on FOSS4G:UK Local 2022

Geomob — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 07:34:00 +0000

Nick Bearman and Kevin Williams, two of the organisers of the recent FOSS4G:UK 2022, join Steven to reflect on how the event went. For the first time the event was held in a unique hybrid format, with many different venues across the UK. The goal was to capture the benefits of in-person networking and experience, while also reducing the need to travel and, via online streaming, allowing participation from everywhere. Overall the experiment was deemed a great success, with over 300 people attending in-person across the nine venues (many more than previous in-person events), but there are of course lessons learned for future events. Finally, Nick and Kevin share plans for OSGeo:UK in 2023.

Thank you to all the organisers of FOSS4G:UK!

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Loraine Rutt: Physical geography

Geomob — Mon, 30 Jan 2023 10:29:00 +0000

This week Steven chats with Loraine Rutt and for this one you’ll want to find a screen because her work is very visual. Marrying art and cartography through her pottery and sculpture, Loraine makes beautiful art with a message. Through thematic maps, journey vases, and social geography sculptures she has been able to create art that encourages conversations about climate change, poverty, and earth’s place in the universe. Her work is beautiful and fascinating, especially for map lovers. Loraine explains how her work begun, what inspires her, and talks about what it’s like to get the stamp of approval of her globes from an astronaut! Enjoy the episode, but then be sure you visit Loraine's website to see this amazing body of work

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed/Steven: London recap, 2023 lookahead

Geomob — Mon, 23 Jan 2023 09:40:00 +0000

With Geomob’s first event of 2023 under their belts, Steven and Ed connect to discuss plans for 2023 and the latest hot topic in the community: Overture Maps. Many questions still unanswered after the announcement earlier this month, including how the members will manage to collaborate and how will Google react? Listen in as Ed and Steven debate and make their predictions about the future of OpenStreetMap. Do you want to join in the discussion? Come to a Geomob event! This year, even more cities will be hosting Geomob, including Berlin, Helsinki, and Lisbon, so there are even more chances to connect with the community!

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Simon Poole: Perspective on OpenStreetMap

Geomob — Mon, 16 Jan 2023 10:37:00 +0000

This week Ed chats with one of the most active long-time members of the OpenStreetMap community: Simon Poole. Simon has contributed to OSM in many ways over the years: as a mapper, as developer of one of the most popular editors, as a local organizer of the Swiss OSM community, as a leading member of the Legal working group, and as Chair of the OpenStreetMap Foundation board. He is the perfect person to weigh in on the health of the project, particularly in the context of the latest open mapping news about the start of the Overture Maps Foundation. Ed and Simon discuss the challenges OSM faces and the difficulties of moving forward in a massive global collaborative project. Tune in to hear Simon’s perspective on how to improve communication and push progress along. Spoiler Alert: it starts with taking a step back to truly understand the issues

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Marc Prioleau: Overture Maps Foundation

Geomob — Mon, 09 Jan 2023 12:13:00 +0000

Shortly before Christmas the Overture Maps Foundation was announced, a collaboration between tech giants Amazon Web Services, Meta, Microsoft, and TomTom to "create reliable, easy-to-use, and interoperable open map data". The geospatial world exploded with speculation about what this might mean for OpenStreetMap and for players like Google and Apple. Is Overture a threat, an opportunity, both, or something else entirely?

Our guest today is Marc Prioleau, geospatial industry veteran (having worked at deCarta, Cloudmade, Mapbox, Uber, and as a consultant for many others) and currently Meta's head of business development for Mapping and Location, to discuss exactly what Overture Maps hopes to be, why it was formed, and its intended place in the geospatial ecosystem. This is the first time one of the members of the OMF consortium has spoken publicly about the initiative.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Maxime Lenormand: Minds Behind Maps

Geomob — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 15:13:00 +0000

We kick off 2023 with fellow podcaster Maxime Lenormand, a geospatial data scientist and the man behind Minds Behind Maps. Steven chats with Max about his geospatial podcast which focuses on the people who create maps. The unique thing about Minds Behind Maps is the long format. If the idea of listening to a three hour long podcast seems daunting, you’re not the only one, but Steven, a self-declared long-form sceptic, was quickly convinced it’s worthwhile. Tune in to find out how the project began and which big names in the mapping community he’s spoken with so far.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Geomob Christmas Special

Geomob — Sun, 25 Dec 2022 22:33:00 +0000

What would Christmas be without traditions? Just like in years past we offer a special episode for the holiday period. Join Steven Feldman and his band of geo-elves - Ken Field, Mark Iliffe, Denise McKenzie, Alex Wrottesley, Jeremy Morley, and Ed Parsons - as they look back on 2022 and forward to 2023.

We wish all of our listeners a restful holiday break and a geotastic 2023!

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed/Steven: BCN recap, 2022 review, 2023 goals

Geomob — Sun, 18 Dec 2022 22:49:00 +0000

As the year 2022 comes to an end, Ed and Stephen reflect and look ahead to 2023. This year saw a return to in-person events with London, Tel Aviv, and Barcelona events, and Ed shares a summary of November's GeomobBCN. Chatting about the eventful year about to end, it’s impossible to leave out the effect of the war in Ukraine and the changing economic conditions. Listen to hear Ed and Stephen discuss the challenges and upsides for OpenCage and Mappery in this memorable year. They also look back at the nearly three years of Geomob podcasting.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Christian Bäuerlein: ioki digital mobility

Geomob — Mon, 12 Dec 2022 16:20:00 +0000

The way people get around is rapidly changing. This week’s guest Christian Bäuerlein is CTO at ioki, where they build the software behind on-demand transport solutions. The idea is to make it easy and available for all. Christian explains who the clients are, and how the service works. You’ll want to tune in to this episode if you’re interested in the evolution of the mobility space or if you love a good data horror story.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Chris Barrington Brown: D-Day Buildup

Geomob — Mon, 05 Dec 2022 11:35:00 +0000

Ed chats with Chris Barrington Brown this week. Chris spoke at Geomob London in September about his ambitious retirement project: creating a digital record of the build up to D-Day. Focusing on the logistics, Chris sorts through a massive amount of information to complete the archive in time for the 100th anniversary of WWII. Ed wonders how Chris intends to preserve this data in a tech world where things are constantly evolving past their original technology. Listen in to find out if you can help!

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Monica Nthiga: Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT)

Geomob — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 12:19:00 +0000

With the season of giving approaching we catch up with the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team's Monica Nthiga, director of HOT's Eastern and Southern Africa Open Mapping Hub. Monica chats with Ed about four new focus areas for HOT: public health, gender equality, climate change, and migration. Previously focussed primarily on disasters as they were happening, HOT has now shifted their focus on what needs to be done ahead of time in order to respond better. Monica explains how you can contribute, and why OpenStreetMap data is necessary to better deal with these issues. Listen in to find out what HOT has been up to in 2022 and how to get involved in this impactful organisation.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Adam DuVander: Developer Marketing

Geomob — Sun, 20 Nov 2022 17:29:00 +0000

This week Ed talks developer marketing with Adam DuVander. Adam is the founder of consultancy Every Developer, and the author of the book Developer Marketing Does Not Exist. Adam and Ed cover the most common mistakes when it comes to marketing for developers, and discuss the best way to tap into new markets. Adam shares his advice on how to build trust with authentic and consistent content and reveals the key to effective marketing for developers. Spoiler Alert: when done right it is invisible. Listen in and find out how you can read this insightful book.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed/Steven: TLV recap

Geomob — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 11:23:00 +0000

Steven and Ed catch up on this week’s episode that focuses on the most recent Geomob Tel Aviv event and the future of Twitter. The hosts discuss what makes a great talk by comparing Geomob events around the world. Steven ponders what is more interesting to cover during geo talks: It is the the how or the why? They also discuss the best ways to spread the word about Geomob events and companies. Are we witnessing the end of Twitter? How do you navigate both now that Mastodon has entered the conversation? Listen in and then join the conversation there.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Tobias Jordans: Using OpenStreetMap for parking analysis

Geomob — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 11:29:00 +0000

On this week’s episode Ed chats with Tobias Jordans about a parking data project in Berlin. It’s something you may not have thought about, but the data about parking spaces and their use can have a big impact on urban dynamics. Tobias explains how city planners, NGOs, and politicians pushing for positive changes can all benefit from accurate parking data. Using OpenStreetMap, Tobias and his colleagues are making it easier to record, retrieve, and update information about parking spaces in Berlin. Listen in to find out about the challenges, learnings, and how you can bring this project to your city.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Christian Nolle: Direction of Travel

Geomob — Mon, 31 Oct 2022 11:01:00 +0000

Do you remember the feeling of travelling with a folded map in your pocket? Whether you’re yearning for a bit of nostalgia, or a young person curious about the history of flying through maps, this week’s guest has something for you. Ed chats with the man behind Direction of Travel, Christian Nolle. This newspaper, a real physical newspaper you can buy, is dedicated to vintage airline maps. Christian uses his own expansive collection of maps to illustrate what flying means to us, how it has changed, and how world issues throughout history have affected flying. Each issue compares and contrasts two airlines. Not just for map nerds, this project attracts graphic designers, artists, and vintage airline magazine lovers. Listen in and you’ll understand why he was the winner of the SplashMaps best speaker prize at our September 28th, 2022 London event.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Jeffrey Linn: Conspiracy of Cartographers

Geomob — Sun, 23 Oct 2022 15:42:00 +0000

How do you combine nostalgia with the future? This week’s guest Jeffery Linn is a Speculative Cartographer who views the future through retro maps. Using vintage maps as his base to project into the future, Jeffery imagines what the world will look like in the future. His work comments on nostalgia and the rapid changes in the environment. Playful teasing climate change deniers, Jefferey maps out a world shaped by climate change in his "Conspiracy of Cartographers" studio. Tune in to hear about the link between sci-fi and cartography and find out which famous author approves of Jefferey’s work

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Grant Slater: OpenStreetMap Operations

Geomob — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 08:22:00 +0000

Joining Ed this week is Geomob London regular (and speaker back in May of 2015), and first full time employee of OpenStreetMap Foundation, Grant Slater. After 15 years of volunteering for OSM, Grant became a full time employee in May 2022 and has continued to work tirelessly to improve the service many in the geospatial community rely on. Listening to Grant speaking of the work he is still so passionate about after all this time is inspiring, especially when you know how small the team is. Tune in to hear about the challenges of operating such a popular service, the evolution of his role, the future of OSM Operations, and how you can get involved.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed/Steven: updates, GeomobLON recap

Geomob — Sun, 09 Oct 2022 20:19:00 +0000

We hit 150 episodes! Ed recaps the recent highly-enjoyable and well-attended Geomob London event, which Steven unfortunately missed. Sadly it's not clear if it will be possible to have another event London this year due to possibly conflicting with the world cup. Steven will at least enjoy the second Geomob Tel Aviv coming up in early November. Next up is a discussion of the recent redesign of the Geomob website, and finally Ed shares a marketing success: the upcoming collaboration with MapScaping to promote OpenStreetMap projects (deadline for submission is Oct. 15th, so don't delay).

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Miguel Marques: Mapidea

Geomob — Sun, 02 Oct 2022 12:32:00 +0000

This week join Ed as he chats with Miguel Marques, founder and CEO of Mapidea. Miguel’s small team helps big companies like Vodafone and Domino's to use their own data to create maps with meaning for them. Ed and Miguel discuss the lack of spatial culture in companies and a lack of awareness about the simple solutions that already exist for them. How do you connect the user with their right solution? By educating and involving the user, Mapidea has managed to retain customers for the long term. Tune in for this lively chat about the difficulty of creating a simple GIS product and the startup scene in Portugal. Plus, learn how Miguel’s tool for visualising census data: Locali is helping people to tell the story of their surroundings.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Marco Bernasocchi: QGIS

Geomob — Sun, 25 Sep 2022 20:41:00 +0000

If you’re a part of the GIS community there is little chance you haven’t heard of QGIS. This week Steven chats with one of the people behind QGIS, Marco Bernasocchi, chair of the QGIS association. Opensource advocate, consultant, and developer Marco explains how QGIS has evolved over the past 20 years, and how an open source project like this is financed. As Steven points out open source projects like this one are true miracles. The perfect example of the collaborative nature of the GIS community and what can be accomplished when people are willing to work together.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

FOSS4G 2022 impressions

Geomob — Sun, 18 Sep 2022 12:43:00 +0000

A special podcast episode this week as we look back on FOSS4G 2022, which took place from August 22-28th in Florence, Italy. Whether you attended or not, this inside look at the conference includes the voices of a range of attendees from first timers, to veterans, to sponsors. While the speaker videos are available online, if like Steven you were not able to attend, this will give you an idea of the energy at the return of in person FOSS4G. Find out how people connected and what people were excited about this year. With 25 different voices, this episode is sure to transport you to the lively event. Many thanks to everyone who shared their impressions.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Royal Engineers (Geographic)

Geomob — Sun, 11 Sep 2022 14:16:00 +0000

This week Steven speaks with geospatial tech leaders Colonel Paul Hammett and Major George McCrea of the British Army's Royal Engineers. Approximately one third of geospatial professionals work for the military. These particular geographic technicians are involved in many defence organisations operations by providing critical understanding of geospatial data to decision makers. Listen to learn about what they do, how they use existing technology to improve the user experience, and why paper maps will not to be phased out anytime soon!

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed/Steven: Summer wrap up

Geomob — Sun, 04 Sep 2022 11:49:00 +0000

As summer comes to an end Ed and Steven catch-up and update you on what to look forward to in the fall. With two Geomob events scheduled (London and Tel Aviv) there are also plans for events in Barcelona and Berlin. Steven gets ready to celebrate four years of Mappery, while Ed talks about plans for a future marketing project at OpenCage. How do you market your business when your main competitor is Google? Ed gives a sneak peak of a new partnership (with a rival geo podcast of all people). Listen to find out how you can use a Geomob event to present your geo-start-up project, and how you can participate in the next Geomob Podcast Catch-Up!

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Melinda Haughey: Proxi

Geomob — Sun, 28 Aug 2022 14:23:00 +0000

You’ll want to tune in to hear this week’s guest explain the origin story of her company: Proxi. Melinda Haughey explains how a "mom problem" led to the creation of a customised mapping system. Frustrated with the complexity of Google maps, Melinda and co-founder Chelsey Roney created a simple way of creating personal and shareable maps. Proxi aims to monetise unique maps by providing analytics back to the users/map creators, but that’s not their only aim. The big vision is to create a robust infrastructure of guides that are mapped. Melinda explains how mapped lists make life much more simple and why people the time for their service is now.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Anthony Norris-Watson: Interchange

Geomob — Sun, 21 Aug 2022 18:38:00 +0000

What started off as a hobby tube map collection, became a documentary. This week Steven chats with Anthony Norris-Watson, a non-geographer, with a collection of over 260 London tube maps about his new documentary Interchange. Anthony’s fascination with the tube diagram is obvious as he passionately discusses this three part YouTube doc that focuses on the map designs throughout the years, a discussion on what makes them 'iconic', and a look at how tube mapping may change in the not-so-distant future. Listen as Anthony explains how his love for tube maps began, what he learned along his journey, and how he would improve the diagram.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ian Hannigan: FORMATION

Geomob — Sun, 14 Aug 2022 09:13:00 +0000

Ed welcomes past Geomob speaker Ian Hannigan, the CEO and co-founder of indoor mapping start-up FORMATION. FORMATION is a location based approach to digitalising a business. Ian explains the evolution of FORMATION and explains how they cater to their clients based on their needs. FORMATION’s clients include the German Army, Bosch, and Kamax, and various research organisations. Ed wonders how the workers/employees feel about their bosses having their location, especially in a privacy hyper conscious country like Germany. Ian agrees, the drive for privacy is well founded, but the design of FORMATION takes that into account. Everything is designed with the workers themselves in mind because without their support, the system will not last for long. Tune in to learn how they map out indoor and outdoor spaces and what’s next for the company in this week’s episode!

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed/Steven midsummer catch-up

Geomob — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 19:08:00 +0000

In this midsummer catch up Steven and Ed discuss separating life from work, Southeast Asia’s super app Grab, and contemplate the future of Google Maps. Using real problems from his daily work at OpenCage, Ed compiles questions for a monthly Twitter Trivia contest. It’s just one way to establish himself as a ‘geo-expert’. The conversation then turns to Super-apps such as Grab provide a range of services from delivery to vehicle rentals and much more, and recently announced the launch of Grab Maps. What affect will their maps have on Google and OpenStreetMap? Ed and Steven debate the pros and cons in this week's episode

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Andy Ashburner: Pin Drop

Geomob — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 10:54:00 +0000

On this week's episode Ed chats with Andy Ashburner the founder of Pin Drop. Andy was a Geomob London speaker all the way back in 2014 when the app he created to save locations first took off. Andy provides a unique perspective on progress in geotech since he left the industry for some time. He is now working on a new and improved Pin Drop app that will be designed with users in mind. Ed and Andy marvel at the range of uses for an app like this, and Andy explains how he only found out when he returned to the app himself that many people were still using it. What for? Listen now to find out.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Adam Simkin: Estimating ETAs / autofleet.io

Geomob — Sun, 24 Jul 2022 08:12:00 +0000

If you’ve ever used a ride share app, bike share, or delivery app, you’ll understand the struggle this week’s guest is trying to solve. Adam Simkin is the COO and VP for autofleet.io, and has been trying to improve the most frustrating part of the app experience: "estimated wait times". As the demand for these services grows, so does the expectation. Customers want short, reliable, and accurate wait times but as Adam admits, this is still a bit of an "unsolved problem". With so many variables, and many competing apps, there is still a lot of work for Adam and his peers to do to improve the experience not only for clients but also drivers/vehicle owners. Find out how far we’ve come, and what the predictions are for the future (autonomous cars?) in this week's podcast!

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

James Fee: Working in public in geospatial

Geomob — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 18:47:00 +0000

Tune in to the latest episode which is all about "geoing in public". Ed chats with geospatial industry veteran (and repeat podcast guest), James Fee. James discusses his long career in the industry and how it all began for him. Whether it be blogging, YouTube, or social media, James has tried it all and shares his most important advice to those getting into the GIS sphere and working in public - be yourself. Despite some negative reactions to his posts in the past, James says the collaborative nature of sharing your work far outweighs any negatives he has encountered. They discuss the various social media platforms, how they can be used effectively, and Ed inquires about James’ rumoured entry into the world of TikTok. Will we see this social media master conquer the latest platform? Listen to find out.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Motti Zohar: Extracting location from tweets

Geomob — Sun, 10 Jul 2022 13:44:00 +0000

Join Steven as he discusses his two favourite things with Dr. Motti Zohar, a geographer specialising in geoinformation and spatial analysis. Motti describes in great detail how he and his team have been able to extract the location of tweets. Only 1-3% of tweets have coordinates, Motti’s methods can increase that number to approximately 15%. How might this be useful? Well for one, distinguishing which tweets come from users that are actually near the event or phenomenon can help to resolve or filter out fake news. They can also analyse how people use Twitter during natural hazard events such as wildfires or floods. Motti spoke about this topic at the recent first ever Geomob Tel Aviv in April 2022. Listen to the fascinating discussion and learn more about the process of location extraction.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Luca Delucchi: SotM & FOSS4G Preview

Geomob — Sun, 03 Jul 2022 13:13:00 +0000

This week Ed speaks with Luca Delucchi, a member of the local organizing team for both State of the Map (SotM) and FOSS4G which will be held in Florence, Italy in August. It's wonderful not just that these events are again taking place in person (SotM will be August 19-21st, FOSS4G will be August 22-28th), but that they will be held in the same city, allowing geospatial open data and open source enthusiasts to easily attend both. Luca tells about the preparations and what attendees can expect.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed/Steven updates and recent Geomob events

Geomob — Sun, 26 Jun 2022 08:57:00 +0000

Ed and Steven catch up on the heels of two Geomob events. Ed compares the recent London event with the Barcelona event and ponders if London’s culture of sharing will eventually make its way to Barcelona. Focussing on the highlight of the Barcelona event, he describes the presentation by Bettermaps. Although still in the early stages, this app takes a written description of a location and turns it into a map. Ed and Steven discuss the possibilities of AI and the possible elimination of cartographers? We’re not quite there yet, but there certainly is potential in AI. Ed also discusses the recent launch of OpenCage's FlipCoords tool, while Steven shares that he will be presenting about Mappery at the British Cartographic Society annual event in September.

Tune in to find out which other OpenCage projects are picking up momentum, where the next Geomob event will take place, and where you may bump into Ed in the summer months.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Peter Rose: Orbica/Lebenswald

Geomob — Sun, 19 Jun 2022 15:41:00 +0000

If you’ve ever wondered how you can use a geospatial interface to encourage philanthropy, this is the episode for you. Ed speaks with Peter Rose, former Geomob speaker and Europe Director of Orbica. Orbica focusses on geospatial analytics, GeoAI and data science. Peter discusses a special project: ‘Lebenswald’ for the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation. The goal of this project was to create a recurring revenue model. In order to motivate people to donate to prevent deforestation and preserve the habitat of the last Borneo Orangutans they have created an interactive map. Donors are able to choose the area they want to help preserve, claim it as theirs to sponsor and even draw on it. Peter talks about the challenges and benefits of working for a non-profit client. Tune in to learn more about this important project and great example of using geospatial in philanthropy.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.