User:PopsMcGhee

About Me

I am a West Virginia based GIS and Database Administrator working in emergency services and 911 operations. My professional and personal work centers on spatial data management, open-source geospatial stacks, and the preservation of historical records.

Professional Interests

• Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Maintaining and optimizing spatial databases, CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) integration, and address management.
• Open Source: I am an advocate for open-source software, particularly for geospatial and administrative tasks. My preferred stack includes:
  • PostgreSQL / PostGIS
  • QGIS
  • Linux (Ubuntu/Debian)
• Technical Interests: Python (Pandas/ArcPy), SQL, Lua, and Rust.

OSM Contributions & Interests

I am interested in improving the quality and accuracy of geographic and historical data within the OSM and Wikimedia ecosystem. My focus areas include:

• OSM: I've worked in the GIS, 911, addressing, and mapping community for 20+ years and have contributed tens of thousands additions and updates to OSM.
• Cemetery Mapping & Genealogy: Bridging the gap between physical spatial data (GPS locations) and historical census/obituary records.
• Geographic Accuracy: Contributing to the refinement of maps and spatial data in articles.
• STEM Education: As a volunteer with 4-H (specifically in dendrology, navigating, robotics and coding), I am interested in how OSM can serve as a resource for STEM initiatives.
• Current Focus: Integrating historical data with open-source mapping solutions.