1. Could you please state your name and job title.
Becky Samuelson, GIS Technician
2. When did you first start working in this field?
Before I worked at Lyon County I was a restaurant manager. I worked for Lyon County for 8 months back in 1998. At that time Lyon County was in the process of building their GIS. My job was to process the deeds and continue the manual mapping. I did no GIS at that time, but the processing of the deeds gave me experience with reading legal descriptions. In October of 1998 I went to work for the City as their GIS Technician. It still amazes me they hired someone with nearly zero computer experience and definitely zero GIS experience. My boss at the city taught me many things about computers. Because of my relationship with the county I was able to acquire and encourage data sharing between the two entities. When I first started with GIS the City was using AutoCad as GIS was a function of the engineering department. ESRI soon offered a grant program that would give free software to entities who were involved in data sharing. At that time Emporia acquired ESRI software. My first task was to comprehend the concepts of GIS. My boss was the zoning administrator so creating a zoning map was of high priority. In creating the zoning map I came to understand the database concept. The city had contracted with Western Air Maps to generate waterline, sewer, stormsewer, parcel, and street centerline data in an autocad format. There was no data attached to this information but I was able to convert the data to shapefiles, coverages, and geodatabases. At this point none of the data is what I would call complete. There is much data available but every project still needs much quality controlling and fine tuning.
3. When did computer GIS technology first start impacting your job?
Because of my experience with the County, I soon became the county liaison for the city. Any task that involved Lyon County went through me. It was my job to research information on easements, deeds, tax statements, road right of ways etc. Every piece of data that has been built was designed to help me get answers more quickly. (Mostly so I would have more time to build more data.)
4. How has computer GIS technology changed your job over time?
I still have many datasets I would like to see created, but now that data is available I see my job changing to help others use the data and learn how to create data that will be useful to them in their jobs. My vision for GIS is not that I create and maintain all of the data. My vision is that the person with the vested interest in the data being current and accurateis the person who should maintain the data. I see real value in the creation of data as it helps in understanding GIS concepts. I helped Linda create her zoning data. She loves using the data in her day to day life but was not too keen on the creation and maintenance so I may have to adjust my vision as not everyone will enjoy the creation like I do. I think the hard part of getting GIS going is breaking the paper habit and people seeing right out of the gate that it can save them time in their work. Most people have a tendency to avoid change. They do have to commit to using the software on a regular basis. I have learned that training is much easier with an individual who has a fair amount of computer experience.
5. In general, how do you feel about the use of computer GIS technologies in your field of work?
WOW!!! Such a powerful tool. I can't imagine life without it.
1. Could you please state your name and job title.
Steven S. Brosemer, licensed land surveyor with GeoTech, Inc
2. When did you first start working in this field?
1975
3. When did computer GIS technology first start impacting your job?
About 1995, although I was aware and tried [using GIS] much earlier.
4. How has computer GIS technology changed your job over time?
As an organizational and planning tool. Administratively, it allows me to talk more intelligently with a potential client.
5. In general, how do you feel about the use of computer GIS technologies in your field of work?
Great, to produce a visual database.
1. Could you please state your name and job title.
Keith Beatty, P.E. , City Engineer
2. When did you first start working in this field?
Civil Engineering 1997, GIS 2000
3. When did computer GIS technology first start impacting your job?
In 2000, when I started with the city and maintaining and mapping utilities.
4. How has computer GIS technology changed your job over time?
The mapping of utility projects and streets help us determine the need for all improvements. Street, sewer and water are the essential functions of the city and we use GIS to manage all three and make sure that one project does not interfere with another or the timing for each project.
5. In general, how do you feel about the use of computer GIS technologies in your field of work?
I am a true believer in GIS. I have the city GIS open most of the time and if they had better drafting features may use GIS more than I do now.
1. Could you please state your name and job title.
Gary Bacon, Business System Analyst II - GIS (Company ONEOK)
2. When did you first start working in this field?
The last decade while serving as a Supervisor with Kansas Gas Service. Started new position in January of 2004 to support GIS users and enhance the GIS program.
3. When did computer GIS technology first start impacting your job?
Realistically, about 2 years ago when the format changed from Cablecad software to ESRI. The data became available to use as tool.
4. How has computer GIS technology changed your job over time?
GIS will house most of the independent programs within the next five years. Mobily and GPS technology seem to be the direction we are heading as a company. Managing the data, supporting the users are the mainstay with GIS.
5. In general, how do you feel about the use of computer GIS technologies in your field of work?
Mandatory. I do not know how we operated without GIS before.
1. Could you please state your name and job title.
Rhonda Robidou Kansas Gas Service Sr. Technical Analyst
2. When did you first start working in this field?
I started working in the engineering department 23 years ago. At that time I worked mainly on electric projects, although I did some gas projects also. Our company split in 1997 and now I am with Kansas Gas Service and work in gas design.
3. When did computer GIS technology first start impacting your job?
I cannot remember exactly when we started working with computerized mapping, however it was probably around 10 years ago. Our programs keep getting better every year.
4. How has computer GIS technology changed your job over time?
When I began my job 23 years ago we drew sketches of our projects on onionskin paper and had to go to maps that were in drawers to retrieve information. Now we are able to retrieve information for the field immediately using GIS and we are able to print detailed sketches for the field. The program also gives us very accurate information on location, size, pressure and other detailed information that aids in designing projects. GIS has increased both productivity and accuracy.
5. In general, how do you feel about the use of computer GIS technologies in your field of work?
Many of our computer programs interface with GIS. More and more information is added to GIS each year and this allows us to retrieve data immediately. It is especially important when there is an emergency situation.
© 2004 Jeremy Aber