You may have picked up on the rumors that I have a new job, well it’s true !!
This week I joined Google as the Geospatial Technologist for EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) and to say I am excited would be somewhat of an understatement.
Google (and yes Microsoft and Yahoo as well 🙂 ) have had a massive positive impact on the traditional GI industry and are developing truly innovative ways of distributing and exploiting geographic information – and there is still much more to come !
The “heavy lifting” of the data providers and sophisticated software tools developers is still a very important part of the industry which after-all is data driven, but through the efforts of Google the information is getting into the hands of a new community of some 200 million users, when they need it, and how they need it.
It’s really important that the world of neogeography and the more established industry come together as there is much to learn from both ends of the spectrum, there is already much good working going on to integrate geoRSS and KML with existing OGC standards for example.
Google lives up to its reputation – I feel like I’m back at university, really bright people getting on and solving problems, but unlike most university departments or corporate research units, with all the resources needed to do so – and yes there are lots of Lava lamps, as much free food and drink as you could cope with, and a games room 🙂
I have been smiling continuously for the last week, but I can see life is going to get really busy !!
Written and submitted from home, using my home 802.11 network.
Technorati Tags: Google
53 replies on “My new office…”
Congratulations Ed. See you at Where 2.0? Best wishes.
Congratulations! I’m looking forward to seeing your transition from an organisation that charges as much as it can for everything to one that tries to give as much away as possible.
Grants on the new gig, sounds like some interesting work. Eventhough it’s Google. 🙂
And Julian….I think you misguided in that Google gives away as much as possible. Please show me where I can download a copy of the imagery and vector data used in GE. I sure would like to use in other applications. *laughs* OO wait, just the dataviewer is given away, free.
KoS
Ed,
Congrats, what a job – it doesn’t get much better.
Enjoy and best of luck from all at Snowflakeland
Ian
Ed,
Congraulations. Will be interested to find out (thru blog?) what Google expect a Geospatial Technologist to do for them! I know it is early doors, but when you get into it, and if you find you have something to say, we would be very happy to invite you to speak at the Society of Cartographers conference at Portsmouth Uni from 3-6 Sept. We already have a paper on “Recent Google Earth initiatives” from Richard Treeves, University of
Southampton.
Don’t hesitate to contact me later if interested.
All the best in the new role,
STEVE CHILTON
[…] They’ve hired Ed Parsons, so expect some cool things. […]
Ed,
I have been a regular reader of your blog for some time, making almost no comments, but appreciating the valuable information you posted.
CONGRATULATIONS. I recently joined an innovative telecom company and am very fortunate to be in a creative environment. I think a groundbreaking company such as Google will benefit from your knowledge but also give you a great big “sandbox” to work in and enjoy. GIS, mapping, geography and society will benefit from your presence.
[…] Ed, congratulations on the new job. […]
Congrats!
The stuff Google is pushing out for mapmaking is very cool. How about a post on the differences between the OS and Google, workwise?
Wish I was going to Calgary to see your talk at GeoTech but if you are ever back in Vancouver, I’ll see you then.
Hi Ed
Glad to hear you made it. See I promised not to mention Dire Straits! Good result. Enjoy!
Cheers
Chris Holcroft