Government agencies are releasing data in quantities never seen before. At the federal level the Census, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the EPA, the CDC, the Weather Bureau, the USGS and dozens of other agencies are releasing hundreds of millions of records annually, each. State and local government agencies are following suit. Private industry, as well, is making data more accessible than ever before. Just think about the map and image data that is available through Google Maps, Bing Maps or OpenStreetMaps. Inexpensive access to Big Data will take the availability of information to the next level.
We’ve just added the Census 2000 data for all seven million census blocks and will add the Census 2010 block level data shortly after its release by the US Census Bureau in late March. This makes possible quick and easy access to demographic information via an intuitive user interface that encourages analysis and better understanding of shifting trends. It facilitates invaluable tools for planners, demographers, social scientists, architects, real estate professionals, marketers, politicians and anyone else interested in the specifics of the population of the US.
2000 Northeast US population - white vs. non-white ehtnic distribution - satellite view
Generate images showing all of the approximately 300 million people in the US. The data is shown as an image overlay displayed inside of Google Maps. Look at the entire US or zoom in to any level to focus on states, counties, cities or even individual city blocks. The data images are regenerated and refined at any zoom level. The underlying Google imagery can be changed from map, satellite, hybrid or terrain view at any level. Instantly view counts and percentages by age, ethnicity, gender and many other attributes as users are panning or zooming in Google Maps. Read more…
Moonshadow has teamed with Labels & Lists, the most trusted name in voter data processing, to launch Borderline. Based on Moonshadow’s proprietary patent-pending data mapping and visualization technology, it’s the fastest and easiest-to-use redistricting software available. Borderline is a hosted web-based solution. There is no software to install. You can access it via a broadband connection using an Internet web browser from both Windows and Mac OS computers.
Many traditional GIS-based redistricting systems can be rigid, hard to learn and require highly technical personnel to operate. Borderline is different. The intuitive user interface is built around the familiar Google Maps environment, so it only takes minutes – not days – to get up to speed.
Select precincts or census blocks and easily move them from one district to another adjacent district with a simple mouse click, all while conforming to census geography. See the results of any change or edit instantly! Import and export “block equivalency” files to exchange plans with other GIS-based software. Read more…