Lab 4

          My experience with GIS was incredibly gratifying, but extremely frustrating. I do not consider myself a very technologically savvy individual, so it was difficult for me to get familiar with ArcMAP. Indeed I do own a computer and know how to perform basic functions, but currently I am a little uncomfortable doing anything beyond that. One significant pitfall of GIS is that it does not cater to the unskilled technology user. In my opinion it is not a user-friendly program in the least. Without the step-by-step tutorial I would have been completely lost. However, with hours upon hours of working with the program, I gradually felt myself becoming more comfortable with it.

Although ArcMAP is somewhat challenging to use at first, the program does have significant potential. After finally becoming somewhat familiar with the software, I felt that with more practice I could ultimately have the power to make my own map and have it represent data in any way that I wish. I believe that this is quite a lot of power to have in the hands of one individual.

            Another potential of GIS is that it filters out untrained map makers. ArcMAP takes an incredible amount of time to become familiar with, and I believe it truly separates those that are committed to making accurate maps from those who wish to exploit GIS and more or less “goof around” on the program.

GIS is able to combine data from different sources and portray it in a visual way. This “visual” aspect is perhaps GIS’s greatest benefit. People are much more affected by pictures, images, and visuals than they are by text or numbers. The final product of a GIS project is a visual map, which is very affective for delivering a powerful message. If one can master ArcMAP, they hold significant power and influence.

One pitfall that I realized while working with ArcMAP is that the program is only useful if you have access to data from an outside source. Without data, the creation of a visual representation is virtually impossible. Therefore, ArcMAP and GIS are essentially bound to other sources that hold such data.  

Although ArcMAP and GIS in general have great potential, I still feel that the most significant pitfall is that it is so difficult to use. Even after working through the tutorial multiple times I still do not feel entirely comfortable with ArcMAP. Furthermore, the program is extremely time consuming. It takes a long time to create a map using ArcMAp. This is another definite pitfall.  

One of the hardest parts of this project was working in “data view” versus “layout view”. I constantly had to check to make sure I was in the proper view so that I could move my map without disrupting the layered data on top of it. It was frustrating when I tried to move the page but instead I moved my map and it distorted my data.

Lastly, the terminology and words that the ArcMAP uses are complicated for someone who has never used to the program before. Many times a pop-up window or dialogue box would appear on the screen and I had no idea what it was talking about. This is another big pitfall in ArcMAP. Not everyone using ArcMAP knows complex computer terminology. The text, instructions, and dialogue in the dialogue boxes needs to be simplified in order for the user to actually understand what to do. 

LAB 3

View Best Kept Newport Beach Secrets: Healthy Dining in a larger map

Map: NEWPORT BEACH'S BEST KEPT SECRETS: HEALTHY DINING
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=216945804492690528965.0004cc49294559ecf3c7b&msa=0&ll=33.674069,-117.853775&spn=0.176572,0.365639


Write-Up:

Neogeography has the ability to enable individuals around the globe to upload and access vast amounts of geographic information. This sounds like a brilliant concept, but it does indeed have a number of potential pitfalls. Those that create their own maps using the wide variety of tools now available to the average computer user can easily skew, tweak, and design their map to their liking. A map on the Internet is not always accurate, especially on personal blogs. Viewers need to sift through UGC and VGI with caution, and pick out only the content they can verify using other references. Neogeography is a beneficial tool but it is not regulated or consistently checked for quality.

Today anyone can make a digital map as long as they have access to a computer and a basic knowledge of technology. Such a large number of individuals can easily create maps that there are often multiple maps of the same thing. Depending on personal preference, each map can be slightly different, differing from where they locate something to directions on how to get there.  When there are multiple maps of the same thing, it can be very confusing.

Many say you need to be technologically savvy in order to make a map in the world of neogeography, but in my opinion this is untrue. Yes, you need to know how to turn on a computer and use Google, but that is essentially the bare minimum. It is almost too easy to make a map. Due to the fact that utilizing tools of neogeography is so simple and user friendly, people who are unqualified are now making maps, and they can be inaccurate.

            Another pitfall of neogeography is that VGI and UGC are bound to data that comes from a source such as Google Earth. If the data on Google Earth is wrong (rare, but occasionally), then any locations used from this imagery in any VGI or UGC content is also incorrect. For example, in the “Citizens As Sensors” article for this weeks reading, the author states that at the time of writing, “Google Earth’s imagery over the campus of the University of California, Santa Barbara was mis-registered by approximately 20m east-west.” VGI content that used this data inherited these errors.

Although there are a number of pitfalls, Neogeography has tremendous benefits and potential. Other than the obvious fact that neogeography now makes the sharing of geographic information much easier and much faster than ever before, it also gives a more powerful voice to the general public. Locals often have a better perspective or more information about their environment than the government or surveyors that merely use satellite imagery.  Neogeography enables these individuals to share their wealth of geographic information about their environment. Locals are able to share personal experiences, information and knowledge that only residents of the area possess. This lets an outsider get a glimpse into the “ins and outs” of a town, city, state, etc.  Local, amateur map-makers may have a different perspective than professionals. This perspective is often more helpful and more useful than a professional map, such as a Rand McNally, which portrays only the most basic information.

            An increase in the number of individuals creating maps results in an increased number of watchful eyes. Since more people are creating maps and surveying their environment, there is an increased chance of catching suspicious activity. Neogeography enables individuals to be their own security. The more people that monitor the geography of an area results in an increase in safety, due to the fact that any changes in the local environment can be easily spotted, whether it’s suspicious building activity, pollution, etc.

            Another benefit of neogeography is the potential for early warning systems, as referenced in the reading for this week. When a disaster strikes, local residents are the first ones on the scene. Therefore, they can provide up-to-date information on conditions, weather, damage, danger, etc. Neogeography enables the potential to obtain almost immediate reports from observes on the ground through use of cell phones, cameras, etc.

The consequences of neogeography partly fall within the category of pitfalls. One major consequence that comes to mind is in regards to terrorism. Google Maps and other sources make it incredibly easy to get a fairly high-resolution image of anywhere on earth. This can be beneficial for terrorists who want to plan an attack at a certain location. Although Google claims that images on Google Maps are between three to six months old, I do not believe that this enough to prevent terrorist attacks. Geobrowsers have made access to images of anywhere on the planet much easier and cheaper, and unfortunately I believe that this kind of power can potentially fall into the wrong hands.

           

Lab 2

10/15/12

(1) Beverly Hills, CA

(2)

1. Canoga Park

2. Van Nuys

3. Burbank

4. Topanga

5. Hollywood

6.

7. Venice

8. Inglewood

(3) 1966

(4) North American Datum of 1927 + North American Datum of 1983

(5) 1:24,000

(6)

a) 1,200 meters

5cm : 24000cm x 5 = 120,000cm

120,000cm x .01 = 1200m

b) 1.894 miles

5in : 24000in x 5 = 120,000in

120,000in / 12 = 10,000ft

10,000ft / 5,280 = 1.894 miles

c) 2.64

1in : 24000in

63360 / 24000 = 2.64

2.64in on map = 1mile on ground

d) 12.5

100,000cm = 1km

100,000 / 24000 = 4.16

1cm on map = 4.167km on ground

4.167 x 3 = 12.5

(7) Counter Interval = 20 feet

(8)

a) Public Affairs: 34˚4’22.5” N , 118˚26’15” W

decimal à 34.072917 N , 118.4375 W

b. Santa Monica Pier: 34˚00’37.5” N , 118˚30’00” W

decimal à 34.010417 N , 118.5 W

c. Upper Franklin Canyon Reservoir: 34˚07’11.25” N , 118˚24’22.5” W /

decimal à 34.119792 N , 118.40625 W

(9)

a) approx. 570 feet

meters à 173.736m

b) 140 feet

meters à 42.672

c) approx. 700 feet

meters à 213.36m

10) UTM Zone 11

11) 3763000 N, 361500 E

12)  1000m x 1000m = 1,000m

13) *EXCEL

14) 14˚ + 48’ = 14˚48’00”

15) South

16) *IMAGE

Lab 1

10/3/12

I found this map on google by simply searching for "maps of Newport Beach CA". It appears on a website titled "Fun Maps USA". I realize this may not be a scholarly source, but nevertheless I thought this map was quite a unique piece. This is a birds-eye view of the city of Newport Beach, CA, with many "points of interest" decorated with cartoon artwork. Not only does the map show points of interest, but it includes short "blurbs" about popular destinations throughout Newport Beach. The map gives a simplistic yet entertaining view of Newport's beaches, the Newport Harbor, the Back Bay, and the many small islands in and around the harbor. The main reason I chose this map is because I am a Newport Beach native. I was born and raised there my whole life, so to me this map is home. But aside from that fact, this map mainly caught my attention due to the intense colors and artwork. Some maps can seem quite bland and dull, making it hard to be interested in what the map is trying to convey. But this map uses color, artwork and cartoons to capture one's attention, and it works. I was immediately drawn to this map. It is fun to look at, easy to read, and entertaining. And it is fairly accurate as well. Perhaps the scale is not spot on, but locations seem to be more or less correct. Overall, this is a pretty fun map to look at.
Source: Fun Maps USA
http://funmapsusa.net/view/newport-beach-california

 

This is a map of the world from around 1666. It appears that this map comes from a website called CreativePro.com, in which an author (unknown) wrote an article about the art and skill of map making. As one can see, this map is missing the North Western corner of North America. This is because at the time this map was made map makers simply did not know what the North Western edge of North America looked like. Map makers were unfamiliar with the terrain, and therefore were forced to leave it off of the map completely. Additionally, Antarctica is left off of the map as well due to the lack of knowledge about the region in 1666. That is what intrigues me about this map. It was made at a time when a large and important part of the Earth was yet to be discovered and therefore unknown by Europeans. Today maps are known to be as accurate and precise as possible. It is fascinating to see an old map that leaves a part of the world blank. Also, the detail and artwork throughout the map is extraordinary. Not only is the world itself full of extreme detail, but the art surrounding the world is beautiful. It is rare to come across a map like this these days. This type of map making seems to be a lost art.
Source: CreativePro
http://www.creativepro.com/article/heavy-metal-madness-mapmaker-mapmaker-make-me-a-map

  

I found this map on a site titled The Cartographic Panorama, which consists of a collection of maps drawn by Heinrich Caesar Berann. Berann is considered the father of the modern cartographic panorama. This image shows the incredible complexity of the floor of the Pacific Ocean. It is as though the ocean has been drained and one is getting a full view of the ocean floor. It is quite amazing. I was fascinated by this image because it is a map of something we virtually can't see with our naked eye. Most people have no idea what the ocean floor looks like. Looking at maps such as this is the only way we can have any idea what lies beneath the ocean's
surface. This map is extremely detailed and from what I can tell, fairly accurate as well. The almost three dimensional aspect of the map makes it truly unique. It is interesting and informative. I have always been fascinated with the ocean, and this map takes some of the mystery out of the ocean floor. I have always known the basics of plate tectonics, the Pacific plate, the ring of fire, and all of the geologic forces taking place underneath us. But this map gives a visual of things that I only picture in my head. When trying to understand the geography and geology of the Earth, I would say maps such as this are essential.
Source: Codex 99: The Cartographic Panorama 
http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1680&bih=956&tbm=isch&tbnid=j3D8W-VTblL5KM:&imgrefurl=http://www.codex99.com/cartography/64.html&docid=Hbleup2M9JArHM&imgurl=http://www.codex99.com/cartography/images/berann/pacific_lg.jpg&w=2000&h=1516&ei=07hsUJylF6ryiQL2n4HwBA&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=342&sig=100485945575774154934&page=1&tbnh=152&tbnw=202&start=0&ndsp=35&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0,i:106&tx=89&ty=97