Lab 4: Proposed Airport Expansion

Write a four paragraph review of your ArcMap experience that discusses the potential and pitfalls of GIS:

GIS has significantly developed as a technology from Dr. Snow's study on cholera patterns. Today, anyone with an internet-enabled laptop can access and use it easily and quickly. Programs that use GIS can better explain the world around us but one must understand that data can also be misleading.

One such program is ArcGIS, sold by ESRI mapping software. Unlike Google Maps, ArcGIS requires basic training to use. In my own experience, I found the software useful in noticing hidden patterns. The goal of the tutorial I followed was to see which land parcels would be affected by the increased noise of an airport expansion. By highlighting only the data needed, I noticed that several parcels, including a school, would be affected by the expansion. ArcGIS is instrumental in this respect to relate seemingly dissimilar data.

However, GIS does have its pitfalls. The final product did not visually look similar to the example in the tutorial. The size of the Schools and Noise Contour map did not match the tutorial's, and the subsequent maps also had the same error. These visual mistakes could lead to misinterpretation. The noise contour seems smaller than it actually is because the map has a smaller scale than the tutorial's. Clearly, one must understand these pitfalls when designing or reading these maps.

GIS is an invaluable asset to society in how it visually represents patterns in data. Such software magnifies patterns in data that are normally missed. An individual must understand its benefits and pitfalls when he uses such software.

Lab 3: Neogeography

Assignment: A commentary (two paragraph minimum) about the pitfalls, potential and consequences of neogeography.


     As the Economist ebulliently describes, neogeography gives an individual the ability to use GIS from his or her own personal computer. With so many people using GIS software, there are endless opportunities for technological improvement. Used properly, advancements in neogeography will transform how people use technology to understand the world around them. 

     There is a potential for improvement in how geographic information is shared through applications that implement neogeography. Any individual can create his or her own map with its own attributes and share it with the public. This practice has spawned web applications such as SCVNGR. In addition, anyone can correct that map and add their own information and bias to the map. As time goes on, the map is edited to be more comprehensive and useful for a large group of people.

     Despite the advantages this new technology provides, there are pitfalls that any map user must know and understand. One can use the example of the AT&T lawsuit against Verizon's "There's a Map for That" advertisements. AT&T claims that the map used in the advertisement is misleading. A viewer may believe that AT&T only offers service in limited areas and none in most of the US. Actually, AT&T has stated that it offers service in most of the continental US. What the map showed was 3G network coverage and ignored 2G network coverage. An individual must be careful to identify bias in maps developed through neogeography.

     Neogeography offers a number of beneficial and harmful consequences to map users. Any individual with a internet-enabled computer has access to a wealth of information with this new technology. Anyone can also edit an old map or create a new map. Data can be more accurate and would reflect the needs of most of the population. However, there is no way to evaluate accuracy or authority. Consequently, many of these maps may then have biased or incorrect data. An individual must be able to evaluate the accuracy of these maps and compare several versions to avoid incorrect or biased data.




Link to the Map

Lab 2: USGS Topographic Maps

1. The Beverly Hills Quadrangle
2. Canoga Park, Van Nuys, Burbank, Topanga, Hollywood, Venice, Inglewood
3. (?) 1966 or 1929
4. Several Datums were used to make the Map: NAD 27 and NAD 83
5. 1:24000
6.
a 1200 m
b 1.89393 mi.
c 2.64 in.
d 12.5 cm
7. 20 feet
8.
a N 34 degrees 3' 45'' W 118 degrees 33' 40" ; N 34.0625 W 118.561
b N 34 degrees 0' 27" W 118 degrees 29' 59" ; N 34.0045 W 118.4997
c N 34 degrees 7' 13" W 118 degrees 25' 10" ; N 34.120 W 118.419
9.
a 560 ft; 170.688 m
b 140 ft; 42.672 m
c 600 ft; 182.88 m
10. Zone 11
11. 3763000 Northings and 362000 Eastings
12.1000000 m^2
13.
Points 5 and 6 are on UCLA

14. 14 degrees
15. South
16.