Pitfalls and Potentials:
GIS possesses a lot of potential in its use for compiling data into meaningful maps. The options of either layout view or data view in ArcGIS allows users, like myself, to add/edit data in a straightforward way that cleanly organizes and presents the map and the information that is trying to be spread to consumers. In my own experience, the tutorial for GIS was another added benefit because it allowed for unexperienced users like me to create such a complicated project in a relatively easy manner. Its step-by-step instructions and screenshots made the tutorial pretty easy to follow and helped my navigate my way around the program as a whole.
Other potentials for GIS include its variety in ways to convey and present the data. It has a multitude of symbols, colors and added features to make the information more aesthetically pleasing for the consumer and makes the information easier to understand. For example, in this lab, it was easy to create an actual bar graph representing Land Use in the Noise Contour to accentuate and emphasize the data being presented in the corresponding map. Also, with those symbols, points, lines, etc., one can point out whichever feature needed. Another potential for GIS is its power and effect. The information organized and presented with GIS can be easily spread and many users have a chance to share their opinions. Like in this tutorial, this project of "Proposed Airport Expansion," with all the information and data shown through the maps, could aid the citizens of the area in fighting the proposal and preventing their community from having to deal with the noise that would come from the airport expansion.
However, GIS definitely has its share of pitfalls. I can vouch for these as I had to deal with them personally while working through this tutorial. First and foremost, a huge pitfall for GIS is that a user must be pretty technologically savvy when working with the program. This could be a problem for casual users and/or those who are of older age and inexperienced with such complicated technology. It just isn't too user-friendly and a bit difficult to understand thoroughly. If it wasn't for the step-by-step tutorial, I would have had no idea how to navigate my way through making these maps. If I made one mistake, it would have the potential to mess up everything else.
Also, I feel like there were some technological glitches in some of the GIS applications which could create issues. For me, I had the most frustrating time joining the two tables involved in creating the "Population Density" frame. I cannot count how many times I had to delete the parts involved, rejoin the two tables, retype my calculations in the field calculator, etc. until I finally got the population density numbers to show up accurately on the attribute table and the map. I still don't know exactly what the problem was and what exactly fixed it but, thankfully, something worked. Another example of a technological mishap is the fact that the colors of the "Land Use in Contour" bar graph did not translate onto my exported JPEG image of my map poster. I followed the directions and applied the "palette" colors for the graph and it is shown in color on the actual ArcGIS program, but for some reason, the colors do not show up when in JPEG form.
Lastly, the fact that a user can add/edit so many aspects of information and data on the maps can be a dangerous pitfall. It was relatively easy for me to add a street that previously was not there and name it "Airport DR." Therefore, the accuracy and reliability of maps and presented data is threatened. Consumers could easily be lead to believe wrong information.
In conclusion, my first personal experience with GIS was quite interesting. Working through the ArcGIS tutorial, I could definitely see, for myself, the various potentials and pitfalls of GIS because my experience correlated with those potentials and pitfalls.
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