Lab 4

At first glance, this lab seemed pretty intimidating and tedious with so many pages of tutorial instruction. However, once I settled down to start from the first page, I realized this task would be interesting and really useful for broadening my scope of knowledge. Having some programing experience in C++ and Matlab, I did not find it too hard to do programing with ArcMap, which looks quite straightforward and easy to use. Also, the step-by-step instruction on the tutorial is very clear to understand. However, I did spend a lot of time doing this project and enjoying the process of learning it. Comparing to the google mashup we finished in last lab, ArcMap does have some benefits for mapmakers and users.

One of the most obvious benefits of using ArcMap is its accuracy. For example, when we try to make a new road on a map, we can determine its length, direction and shape by using mathematical calculation, which is far more accurate than random drawing. Also, we can pinpoint a location by looking at its coordinates, which is provided by the software. Another feature is data managing. In this project, we need to calculate the population density through ArcMap. By setting the mathematical equation for the calculation, we can easily get the result of the population density from the existing data. It is also possible to make diagrams or charts on the map to summarize data. Moreover, we can create legends and scale bars to further illustrate the map.

The function of organizing data and presenting them on a map makes ArcMap a powerful tool for information managers and scholars of geography.  Like one of the exercises we did to show the population density distribution in the area, the ArcMap perfectly visualized the different sets of the population density on the map. These kinds of features of visualization allow managers to easily make decisions and solve problems. For example, marketing managers would like to know where to post ads or built a shop is most beneficial for their companies. They would probably like to find some places of dense population by looking at the map with that information. Also, they would like to see different sets of data that are divided into different layers of themes for more informative and clearer illustration. This is actually one of the ArcMap’s functions.

Some pitfalls of GIS lie in its complexity of its manipulation. Although the programing of ArcMap is already user-centric comparing with some other programing languages, it is still more complicate to manipulate all those data than the user-friendly neogeography. Since the starting tutorial of ArcMap is already a 56-page manual, we can imagine how hard it is to actually master this software. A layperson would not prefer to use ArcMap by extracting all those files and carefully examining data rather than create a highly individualized mashup by simply clicking the mouse. Also, software like ArcMap is quite expensive for an individual to buy.

In sum, ArcMap is quite useful to learn how to do concrete and coherent data analysis. The poster I end up making is also quite pleasing in an aesthetic way.