Lab 4

Experience of Using ArcMap; Potential and Pitfalls of GIS

          By finishing the assignment of lab 4, I have an opportunity to devote my first time on using ArcMap. After having an experience to use ArcMap, I realize that this program is very useful as we can put different data together for creating informative maps. Although it may take time for me to get used to this software, using computer to making maps is much more efficient than drawing maps by hands. When we use computer to create maps, it draws everything and calculates data accurately within a very short period of time. Moreover, it is easier to draw tidily and to express organized data on computer than by hands.

          However, this software is not perfect and sometimes creates error. Despite that ArcGIS 10.1 is the most recent version, I can suspect the bug in it. After I finished my mapping assignment, all the graphs and maps are in color, but in exported map, the histogram is in black and white. I had already followed all of the steps in the tutorial, but the output is different.  Another difficulty that I encountered is the differences between the tutorial version and the actual version of ArcMap that I used. I spent much time to figure out the location of some of the functions, such as the location of the tool bars.

          GIS stands for geographic information science, geographic information system, or geographic information studies; either one of these refer to a system designed to gather, manipulate, analyze, and present a large amount of geographically referenced data cohesively. In 1854, a British man, the founder of GIS, drew points on a map to show individual case; possibly, this was the earliest use of GIS. When time goes on, people have come up with many innovative ideas to improve this system in terms of graphic and features. The latest GIS system does not only let us map places; it can also map out useful information of objects. Natural resources, infrastructures, fire hydrants, water line, streams, and houses are examples of data that can be displayed in GIS. Although some paper maps can also include the above information, GIS can provide more information and show these in a three dimension which makes the readers easier to visualize the real environment. The other good thing about GIS is that it can help us to connect things that we think they have not relationship at all and make some kind of conclusion. For example, linking the population of different parties’ voters in different states can interpret the result of the election.  

          On the other hand, there are disadvantages of operating and using GIS to present a map to people. Adding vast of information in a single map is time concerning; we need to spent time to organize data before putting them into the ArcMap. Beside, GIS map is sometimes difficult for ordinary people to read. The geographically and statistically data on the map, such as elevation and precipitation, are some professional information may make the majority of people confused. That is the reason why people may choose to use some user friendly map, such as Google Map, which provide some ordinary and particle information.