September 2015 Summaries

The text discusses how to create route maps using CartoDB and data from OpenFlights.org. It demonstrates how to join airport and route tables, convert end points into lines, adjust routes for great circle paths, and fix issues with the dateline. Additionally, it explains how to modify the query to generate route maps for specific airlines or airports.

CartoDB is attending .conf2015 at Splunk's conference, where they will be showcasing their new app 'CartoDB Torque!' for Splunkbase. They will also host a meetup and a CartoDBeers event to discuss location intelligence and data-driven mapping with attendees. The event aims to raise awareness about the potential of CartoDB to transform data into insights and leverage operational intelligence.

The map of the week project in Montréal tracks the July migrations, a curious tradition where many people move to find flats. The creators used data from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and mapped 10,000 ads in 35 zones to compare average rent prices with CMHC data, highlighting gentrification areas. They built two maps using CartoDB, one displaying average rent prices by number of rooms, and another comparing their data with CMHC data, showing neighbourhoods where new rents are higher than the average. The project also includes a filter function allowing users to compare their situation, and tooltips providing context on each area.

CartoDB will be attending INTERGEO 2015 from September 15-17 in Stuttgart, Germany, where they will explore geodesy, geoinformation, land management, and cartography. The conference is expected to attract over 16,000 visitors from 92 countries, with a focus on new technologies, solutions, and concepts. CartoDB representatives, including Eric Bean and Jorge Sanz, will be present at the event, offering insights into location intelligence and sharing their expertise on PostGIS and Mapnik capabilities. The company is also dedicated to delivering benefits of using CartoDB, such as gaining an advantage through its features, which will be discussed by Jorge during a presentation.

MapGeo, a data management and visualization platform, has been rebuilt from scratch using CartoDB and is now powered by the latter's APIs. The platform provides location intelligence to local governments, helping them track and understand geographic data for better decision-making. It offers tools such as heatmaps, animated visualizations, and summary graphics to aid in various city activities, including transportation, housing, and public safety. The platform also enables self-service tools for the public, allowing residents to find information on trash pickup schedules, parking, and industrial zones. Additionally, it combines data from jurisdictions with other sources like Google's Street View to save time and improve operations. With more than 100 municipalities already using MapGeo, the platform aims to break down barriers and make hard things easy for local governments, enabling them to work smarter and use data to aid their decision-making.

Location intelligence is a powerful tool used by various industries to extract insights from big data. Media and Creative agencies can leverage location intelligence for increased brand engagement and international exposure through data-driven visualizations. One example of this is Tecnilógica's Ashley Madison infidelity map, created using CartoDB. The map received over 5.5 million views in less than 20 days, demonstrating the potential impact of engaging visualizations on global audiences.

The Marian Cheek Jackson Center for Saving and Making History is a non-profit organization in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, that aims to advance community self-determination and preserve social and economic diversity in rapidly gentrifying African-American neighborhoods. They have received a grant from CartoDB to utilize its mapping platform to create meaningful conversations and impactful change on a local level. The center's project, the Northside Neighborhood Initiative, seeks to help long-term residents remain in their homes, attract new residents, and increase housing availability for neighborhood properties. With CartoDB, they aim to establish clear baseline data, support community leadership trainings, and enhance advocacy efforts to promote affordability and diversity in the community. The partnership with CartoDB has already provided significant support, enabling the organization to set up a base platform and collect community data, which will be synced with the mapping platform to provide ongoing access to data sets and maps for the community.

Drift off to the city by the bay with CartoDB, a company that began with a dream and is now attending Dreamforce in San Francisco from September 15-18. The company's CEO and other executives will be present at the event, which focuses on innovation and new technologies. CartoDB aims to meet users, partners, and prospects who want to hear about its power in transforming data into insights for better decision-making. The company also invites attendees to join them for a celebration of the geospatial industry, CartoDBeers, on September 16 at Planet Labs' event location.

CartoDB has awarded a grant to Access Now, a non-profit organization that extends and defends digital rights globally. The grant supports Access Now's efforts in creating interactive maps, including the recent launch of the Global Net Neutrality map, which aims to raise awareness about this critical issue worldwide. With CartoDB's next-generation mapping technology, Access Now is empowered to continue its fight for open and secure communications, protecting the rights of marginalized communities and promoting digital equality. The partnership enables Access Now to gather data, publish reports, and engage with advocates globally, ultimately shaping the future of the internet and its impact on society.

CartoDB is offering a new Intermediate Map Design course, which aims to help users improve their map design skills and make their maps more understandable. The first lesson of the course focuses on choosing the right wizards for specific data types and introduces concepts like normalization and quantification. Future lessons will delve into color and typography, providing users with a comprehensive guide to creating effective maps.