Welcome to Cloud and Server GIS

RYAN BAXTER: I'm Ryan Baxter, a professor in Penn State's online Geospatial Education Program. I'd like to say a few words about one of our courses, Cloud and Server GIS. You've probably seen diagrams of technical GIS architectures that all contain a common feature-- it's the cloud icon with all of the lines coming out of it connecting to everything else. Everyone puts that cloud on their diagrams because they know that cloud and internet resources are a core component of their system. But for many people, the cloud is essentially a black box. It's something they need, but they don't know much about. In our Cloud and Server GIS course, you will learn precisely what's in that box. We will explore exactly what cloud and server technologies are, and how existing cloud resources can be integrated into your GIS workflows. But the bulk of the course will be spent getting hands-on experience building our own clouds. We'll use Amazon Web Services to stand up our own virtual servers and use state-of-the-art server software to create our own cloud infrastructures for storing, managing, and publishing geospatial content. In my opinion, cloud and server technologies have revolutionized the geospatial industry perhaps more than any other developments. And regardless of what aspect of GIS you work with, taking our Cloud and Server GIS course will empower you to confidently integrate cloud and server technologies into your organization-- whether you're using someone else's cloud or one you build yourself. The cloud does not need to be a black box. You can be the cloud. Take this course and learn how. When I say cloud, I mean the internet kind of cloud, not the cloud of bugs that's buzzing around my head right now.