lab#4

     During the pass two weeks, I had the opportunity to get a first hand experience with the software application, ArcMap. Throughout the different exercises, I found out many pros and cons with using such program. ArcMap, created by ESRI, is a fantastic piece of technology that allowed geographers to manipulate data in such a way that can help ease the understanding for map users.

      I found a lot of potentials to ArcGIS. One advantage I found throughout the exercises is that I can easily go back and forth between layers of data. Data can be copied and extracted so I can edit it without overwriting previous data layer. In addition to data replication, I also found data organizing and managing is really easy thus making data analysis easier. I was very happy to have a wide range of tools to toggle my map and the ability to change content on the map easily. Another advantage to ArcGIS is the aid of visual analysis. Statistics can be viewed visually (i.e. filling areas of different colors to represent differences). I am very impressed with how it can handle complex and high volume of data while displaying it in a way that someone who doesn’t have good map knowledge can comprehend what the data is trying to say. Lastly, the maps that ArcGIS creates are aesthetically pleasing because the abundant range of colors, shapes, symbols, and orientations allowed users to make beautiful maps.

     As good as ArcGIS can be, I also found pitfalls along the way. It’s not the most user- friendly program that I have encountered due to the fact that it requires time, precision, and saving the data frequently. The first problem I had immediately with ArcGIS is that saving the data is extremely important because if I forget to save frequently and it accidentally freezes on me, I can potentially lose work that aren’t saved. Since it’s my first time access to this program, I spend a lot of time reading the tutorial.pdf to make sure I am doing the right thing before I can proceed. Sometimes, the tutorial can lead to frustration because some of its information isn’t orientated the same way in newer version of ArcGIS. With the time consumption, it requires a lot of patience. Patience is especially needed when inputting figures and commands because even when one symbol is typed wrong, the data won’t come out right or, worse yet, wouldn’t let you proceed to the next step because it required previous information to be entered correctly.

        ArcGIS can definitely improve with its user features to make it a better, faster, and more user-friendly. I am evermore fascinated by its technological progression with the fast upgrades that allow even wider range of user access. But, it can also led to frustration because such program requires a lot of time to understand its features, tools, and usage. In a way, users are required to use such program daily and very frequently in order to adapt to its functions. After the exercises, I already forgot some of the functions it can perform because it’s so vast. Despite the pitfalls, I believe ArcGIS got a lot more in its package and I will learn more about it with later labs.

Lab#3

View A Trip to New York in a larger map




          Neogeography opens up a wide array of tools that allow an easier access to gathering and compiling information for geographers to use. It is also a public good where most, if not all, people have access to. With the help of Web 2.0, people can create their own personal maps that's centered on places and objects that deems interesting and/or important to that particular individual. The creator can also allow friends and people to have public access to share and learn about a place that the creator have been to. For example, I used Google Map, an example of a mash-up tool, to help create my own personal map that track a place that I visited this Winter. Google Map made locating the place easier and have mini-trackers to pinpoint places I have been to. This tool also allowed me to incorporate descriptions, pictures, and videos to further illustrate my experience from the trip.
          There are also con's about having such an advance technology that allowed public access. There can be invasion of privacy because almost all that have Internet access can pull up information on people's address and location. It can be a very useful tool if used right, but if it falls on the wrong hands, people can plan attacks. Another shortfall could be the erroneous usage of information where the public have open access to. This is a question of authority and accountability because the public is most likely don't know where the source of information coming from. Also, it can greatly skew the point of view of the public to suit what the creator intended.
      

Lab#2

1.     Beverly Hills

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

3.     1966

4.     National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929, North American Datum 1927 and 1983

5.     1:24000

6.     a. 1219.2 meters

b. 1.894 miles

c. 2.64 inches

d. 12.5 cm

        7. 20 feet

        8. a.  118°26’30” W and 34°4’30” N      118.442° W and 34.075° N

            b. 118°30’30” W and 34°0’30” N    118.508° W and 34.008° N

            c. 118°24’30” W and 34°6’30” N    118.408° W and 34.108° N

      9. a.  560 feet, 170.69 meters

          b.  140 feet, 42.67 meters

          c.  620 feet, 188.98 meters

     10.  Zone 11

     11.  37,630,000 ft. N and 3, 615,000 ft. E

     12. 1,000,000 square meters

     13.

     

     14.  14° E

     15.  The stream flows South

     16.

    

Lab#1

1. http://www.worldmapnow.com/images/2009/11/china.gif
  

        This is a map of China. We can see that this map point out major cities with dot and bold black letters and the capital, Beijing with a star. It also shows a deep orange line separating the borders of its neighboring countries. It also includes the major natural features in and around it, for example the Himalayas Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. I first thought of the map of China because I was originally from there. I want to see if I can point out my city from the map, which is Guangzhou, and it's considered a major city on this map. Though I am familiar with the names of most big cities, I am not sure of there relative location to my home city. I hope I can travel to Beijing and Shanghai in the future.

2.  http://www.coachhardagesworldhistoryclass.com/uploads/4/9/9/3/4993980/894010.jpg?505

        This is a map of Egypt. As we can see it's not specific with cities but rather with the important historic features of Egypt. According to this map, the major feature in lower Egypt is the great pyramid, Giza and its Sphinx. In upper Egypt, Valley of Kings and Temple of Amun were seen as important in this map. Other than special historic artworks, this map also labeled different cites that were once a capital during different time periods. This map didn't include surrounding countries or other natural features other than the Nile. Every since little, I loved the mysterious feeling that Egypt gives off. Though this map may not contain detailed information, the pictures of Egyptian monuments really caught my attention because it pertains to my interest.

3. http://blog.aggregatedintelligence.com/2008/02/interesting-maps-internet-censorship.html

          

         This is not a regular map that tells people where the countries are, but rather informing readers of a problem. This map shows regions of area that are colored black where there is Internet censorship. It's very interesting that there are major blobs of black on the left side of the map while scattered black dots on the right side. This map made sense in telling the readers countries that have a repressive regime tend to block its citizens from Internet access. It's essentially like a "black hole" because its citizens are blinded from news and information. I believe such maps can be useful in the future because there will be new maps like this made and till then comparison can be made.