Wednesday, June 11, 2003
NY SiteFinder offers a simple, yet powerful GIS solution to finding sites and buildings. You start out with a map of NY and zoom in, much like MapQuest.
Use the Advanced Search, if you are trying to find a building or site that meets certain specs.
(Compare this to the complex site search tool developed by TVIDA. This tool requires you to download software to use it. Go to TVIDA.)
My one complaint with NY SiteFinder: The opening page begins with some really limp language. ("This site has been developed by Empire State Development to facilitate the site selection process in New York State." Oh, really? What a surprise.)
It goes on to talk about how the site was developed. ("...In partnership with local and regional economic development agencies, utility companies, blah, blah, blah". Who cares?)
How about writing the introduction from the user's perspective with a Quick Start Guide? ("We've built a really powerful search engine for you, and here's how you use it..." Marketing 101...Think from your customer's perspective.)
Some Background on EDPro Weblog
The purpose of this weblog is to help economic development professionals -- EDPros -- keep up with the changes sweeping our profession. Strap on your goggles. It's a whole new game. There are no experts any more. The only place to learn about economic development is from other EDPros who are doing it.
One other point: the prevaling approach (paradigm, if you like) in economic development is shifting from competition to collaboration. There are a lot of reaasons underlying this shift, but here's the important insight: You, your community, and your region will do better by collaborating and sharing information.
If you are using a news reader, here is the link to syndicate this site:
Here's the link if you are a bloglines subscriber:
Speaking and workshops on Open Source Economic Development
As the idea of Open Source Economic Development starts spreading, more people are asking about it. Visit the I-Open web site to learn more. My colleagues and I are happy to explain the basic concepts in a talk or a workshop. E-mail Susan Alshuler if you'd like to learn more about workshops and speaking.
Background on Ed Morrison
Download some background information on me here.
Web Watch: NY SiteFinder
