Lab 4

ArcMap Experience, Potential, and Pitfalls:

Overall, ArcMap is a powerful and easy to use tool. At first, the program can be quite daunting, since there are so many tabs and options for map customization. After following the tutorial, the basic functionality becomes more evident, and opportunities for personal customization begin to appear. It was very helpful to begin with the basics, and not jump directly into creating one's own map. Being able to draw from an established GIS database, proved to be an effective teaching vehicle. As an engineering student, I've worked with various software suites that lack the friendly user interface that ArcMap has. Its always a pleasure to work with such a clean, simple program.

The ability to create multiple maps onto one poster was especially useful for presentation purposes. Not only was I able to create several maps and a graph from the given data set, but I was also able to customize my poster with my desired background, fonts, and images. ArcMap is an all in one tool, that eliminates the needed for added customization in an outside program like Adobe Photoshop. This saved valuable time and effort. The various toolbars made customization quite simple. It was very intuitive to find the correct triggers and boxes to change any given element.

One potential pitfall of GIS is its reliance on statistics. Statistics can be be manipulated to suggest almost any conclusion. Thus, any user can take reputable data, and create a professional looking poster or map that suggests something that may be misleading or completely false. For example, in the classic Simpson's Paradox a smaller data set may actually be more accurate than a larger data set. For instance, when looking at the hiring patterns of a company, the overall trend may suggest that a higher percentage of male candidates are hired, when in fact a job analysis may show that females are hired at a higher percentage for each job. Similar problems may come to life with ArcMap, thus every viewer must keep this pitfall in mind.

ArcMap has great potential for all GIS students and professionals. ArcMap can take a large data set and extract it into layers, allowing the author to assemble a map or graphic of the desired components. Having this flexibility enables the author to quickly and effectively display data. The speed in which this process can now occur makes GIS much more dynamic. Previously, there was limited to no computer assistance, and the task of sifting through large data sets was a significant obstacle in GIS research. Time can now be spent on data collection and mining, and the display component is almost trivial thanks to ArcMap.

Furthermore, ArcMap and the ArcGIS software suite has revolutionized GIS. The ability to recognize trends and patterns is much easier. Unfortunately, this breakthrough also comes with an increased ability to report false or misleading information. Thus, its essential that the fundamentals of geography and statistics never be lost amidst all the functionality of ArcGIS.

View Free Las Vegas Strip Attractions in a larger map

Pitfalls, Potential and Consequences of Neogeography:

Neogeography has transitioned the map making process from cartographers to the general public. In the past, software like ArcGIS was inaccessible to the general public, and required a greater intellectual and academic understanding to use. Now, Google Maps has released an API (Applications Programming Interface) available to the general public, which is relatively easy to use. Thus, the typical map maker is now someone with little to no geographic knowledge and schooling. Consequently, the accuracy and reliability of these maps are always in question. For instance, its now very common to use Google Maps to catalog a summer vacation. One can add pictures and locations that were visited. These locations however are unverified and can often be inaccurate. If someone decides to replicate a summer vacation and follows a map Mashup, they may find themselves in the middle of nowhere. This major pitfall forces viewers to call into question any information presented in map Mashups.

Moreover, by making the API of Google Maps and other tool sets readily available and usable to the general public, a greater volume of information about trips and map locations can be shared. Unfortunately, this innovation also bring with it a greater volume of inaccurate information. The greatest aspect of Neogeography is the fact it makes map making fun. Cartography can be seen as a very dry, esoteric practice. Now, people can create maps about anything and share them with their immediate friends. Thus, map making has the potential to become an expected follow-up to any trip. This information sharing can transform the way vacations are planned. With so many maps, pictures and videos linked together, viewers can sift through different sites and make the most educated future plans.

Furthermore, the impacts of Neogeography are yet to be seen. Certainly, as more and more users become acquainted with the API of Google Maps, the consequences will be realized. The introduction of Neogeography will not eliminate the need for GIS trained professionals, since their work carries credibility and accuracy. A future challenge will be to evaluate and discern trusted Mashup makers.

Lab 2

USGS Topographic Maps

1. Beverly Hills

2. Canoga Park, Van Nuys, Burbank, Topanga, Hollywood, Venice, and Inglewood

3. 1966

4. NAD 27 and 83

5. 1:24,000

6a. 5 x 24,000 / 100 = 1,200 meters

6b. 5 x 24,000 / (12 x 5,280) = 1.894 miles

6c. 5,280 x 12 / 24,000 = 2.64 in

6d. 3 x 1,000 x 100 / 24,000 = 12.5 cm

7. 20 ft

8a. 34 degrees 4' 18" N Latitude, 118 degrees 26' 15" E Longitude or 34.072 degrees N Latitude, 118.429 degrees E Longitude

8b. 34 degrees 0' 26" N Latitude, 118 degrees 30' 0" E Longitude or 34.007 degrees N Latitude, 118.500 degrees E Longitude


8c. 34 degrees 7' 13" N Latitude, 118 degrees 24' 23" E Longitude or 34.120 degrees N Latitude, 118.406 degrees E Longitude


9a. 580 ft or 176.8 m


9b. 140 ft or 42.7 m

9c. 800 ft or 243.8 m

10. UTM Zone 11

11. 361,472 Eastings 3,763,170 Northings

12. 1,000,000 m^2

13. See Figure Below:



14. +14 degrees

15. North to South

16. See Figure Below: