Geospatial Drupal: Tools to Survive the Coming Zombie Apocalypse

The zombie apocalypse is on the way. Thankfully, we have the tools to prepare ourselves. This presentation will cover the use of geospatial databases to store and process geographic data. Further, this presentation will show how geospatial databases can be integrated with Drupal to form the perfect tool to prepare ourselves for the impending hoards of the undead.

Geospatial databases are useful tools that allow geospatial data such as lines, points and polygons to be stored in a database and manipulated. Despite being extemely useful, many developers have no knowledge of geospatial databases and how they should be used.

This presentation will cover:

• Options: The two major open source geospatial databases, MySql GIS and PostGIS, will be discussed with a comparison of their features and their pros and cons.
• Concepts: An overview of the concepts and theory used when working with geospatial databases including projections, spatial indexes, etc.
  Tools: This presentation will cover modules that already exist for working with geospatial databases and how they can be used to get up and going lightning fast.
• Use: Using the concepts and tools that have been developed, this presentation will show how geospatial databases can be queried to produce useful and interesting data that will make sure we don't end up eating brains.
• Application: Finally, this presentation will show how geospatial tools can be leveraged to solve pressing real world problems. It will discuss how Massequality, a marriage equality organization in Massachusetts, is using geospatial tools to empower people in Massachusetts to engage in activism with their local government.