Planet Scale Tiled Maps Without A Server

Planet Scale Tiled Maps Without A Server

Author: MapScaping March 22, 2023 Duration: 37:59
Protomaps is a serverless system for planet-scale maps, it's an umbrella project consisting of a few different components one of which is PMtiles. PMtiles is “Cloud Optimise Geotiff” for web mapping, what this means is that you can build a base map and host it without the need for a server!  PMtiles is a single file that you can access via HTTP range requests in the same way that you can access data within a Cloud Optimised Geotiff with the important difference that PMtiles can also contain vector data! What this means is that you can create your own base map, and host it on something like Amazon S3 object storage at a fraction of the cost of other base map solutions!    During this episode, you will hear Brandon, the founder, and creator of Protomaps, talk about scarcity, and well I have never really thought about base maps as being a scarce resource I can definitely see how a product like PMtiles could remove some of the barriers to entry for a lot of creativity in terms of base maps.    More information on Protomaps is here:  https://protomaps.com/   Tippecanoe https://github.com/felt/tippecanoe.git https://bertt.wordpress.com/2023/01/06/creating-vector-pmtiles-with-tippecanoe/ Relevant podcast episodes  Cloud Optimized Point Clouds https://mapscaping.com/podcast/cloud-optimized-point-clouds/ Cloud Native Geospatial https://mapscaping.com/podcast/cloud-native-geospatial/ Microsoft’s Planetary computer https://mapscaping.com/podcast/the-planetary-computer/ Stamen Design - Full Stack Cartography https://mapscaping.com/podcast/full-stack-cartography/   If you have any questions or comments, let me know, I would love to hear from you!

The MapScaping Podcast delves into the intricate world where geography meets data. This isn't about static paper maps, but the dynamic, digital systems that help us understand our planet. Each conversation focuses on the practical and the visionary within GIS, geospatial technology, remote sensing, and earth observation. You'll hear directly from the cartographers, data scientists, software developers, and analysts who are building the tools and interpreting the information that defines modern digital geography. The discussions explore how satellite imagery is used, how location intelligence solves complex problems, and where the technology is headed next. For professionals, students, or anyone fascinated by how we chart and comprehend our world, this podcast offers a grounded look at a field that is constantly redrawing its own boundaries. Tune in to The MapScaping Podcast for insights that are as much about the people and ideas shaping this space as they are about the technology itself. It's a consistent source for those who think spatially, providing depth and context that goes beyond the software interface. Listen to find out how the hidden structures of geospatial data influence everything from urban planning and environmental conservation to business logistics and everyday apps.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The MapScaping Podcast - GIS, Geospatial, Remote Sensing, earth observation and digital geography
Podcast Episodes
Common Space [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:31
This episode examines the Common Space initiative, a non-profit project dedicated to building and launching high-resolution optical satellites designed specifically for humanitarian purposes, such as aiding populations a…
AI in QGIS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:20
I've been playing around with a lot of large language models lately, and it is absolutely fascinating to watch them work. But what happens when you bring that directly into QGIS? Right now, AI in the geospatial industry…
Geospatial Makers Start Building! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:52
Geospatial Product Swiss Army Knife 1. The "Build It and They Won't Come" Trap We have all seen it: a talented geospatial professional spends months—perhaps years—perfecting a technically sophisticated web map or a niche…
Vibe Coding and the Fragmentation of Open Source [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:36
Why Machine-Writing Code is the Best (and Most Dangerous) Thing for Geospatial: The current discourse surrounding AI coding is nothing if not polarized. On one side, the technofuturists urge us to throw away our keyboard…
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Duration: 37:21
How can you accurately aggregate and compare point-based data from different parts of the world? When analyzing crime rates, population, or environmental factors, how do you divide the entire globe into equal, comparable…
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Duration: 36:18
The Open-Source Conundrum Many successful open-source projects begin with passion, but the path from a community-driven tool to a sustainable business is often a trap. The most common route—relying on high-value consulti…
Free Software and Expensive Threats [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:29
Open-source software is often described as "free," a cornerstone of the modern digital world available for anyone to download, use, and modify. But this perception of "free" masks a growing and invisible cost—not one pai…
Mapping Your Own World: Open Drones and Localized AI [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:43
What if communities could map their own worlds using low-cost drones and open AI models instead of waiting for expensive satellite imagery? In this episode with Leen from HOT (Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team), we explore…
From Data Dump to Data Product [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:39
This conversation with Jed Sundwall, Executive Director of Radiant Earth, starts with a simple but crucial distinction: the difference between data and data products. And that distinction matters more than you might thin…
Reflections from FOSS4G 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:56
Reflections from the FOSS4G 2025 conference Processing, Analysis, and Infrastructure (FOSS4G is Critical Infrastructure) The high volume of talks on extracting meaning from geospatial data—including Python workflows, dat…