Lab1b

1a. Defining GIS:

                         

                        Find and copy three definitions of “GIS” from different websites. Include the source or URL link to those definitions. Also, be sure to identify what the acronym “GIS” stands for in each of these definitions. For example, does it mean Geographic Information Science or Geographic Information Systems?

1. “A geographic information system (GIS), or geographical information system, is any system that captures, stores, analyzes, manages, and presents data that are linked to location.” wikipedia.org/wiki/GIS

2. “Geographical Information System - Used to store and manipulate spatial data such as geometry and topology - the connections between geometries. This is usually stored in the form of vectors and then often overlayed onto data such as maps.”
www.flexibility.co.uk/helpful/glossary.htm

3. “GIS is a system of hardware and software used for storage, retrieval, mapping, and analysis of geographic data.  Practitioners also regard the total GIS as including the operating personnel and the data that go into the system.  http://www.nwgis.com/gisdefn.htm

1b. Briefly discuss the similarities between the definitions.

The same concept goes for all three definitions which is the storage and analysis of spatial data.

1c. What differences exist between the definitions (i.e. are there any that have unique phrases or descriptions?) In the second definition it mention “the connections between geometries”, and how you are able to manipulate theses spatial geometries. In the first definition, which I believe is the simplest of all three, states that is a system that captures, stores, analyzes, manages and presents all the data collected that which are linked to a location.

                         

1d. What does this tell you about the field of GIS? It tells me the field began as a straightforward system just to try and analyze information and is growing and expanding to something that most did not expect.

2. Find three examples of applied 'real‐world' uses of GIS. Write brief descriptions (i.e. a few sentences) for each example and include references or webpage links (URLs) to each project.

One example of applied ‘real-world’ uses of GIS is the Applied Data Consultants, who use GIS to help others to create geospatial websites that are understandable and presentable. adc4gis.com/

Another example of applied ‘real-world’ uses of GIS is the use of 3-D GIS to Present Real-World Results. It is exactly what it sounds like. Using GIS to show actual results of anticipated projects.

www.geoplace.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=MultiPublishing&mod=PublishingTitles&mid=13B2F0D0AFA04476A2ACC02ED28A405F&tier=4&id=27F8ABDCB9CB4E44A3A7329BD3700AB0

One other example of applied ‘real-world’ uses of GIS is its application and incorporation to GPS systems.  It basically helps ease the travelers and workers job  by updating and accurately portraying the local public road system and much more.  www.esri.com/library/bestpractices/using-gis-with-gps.pdf

3. Briefly describe at least three differences and three similarities between maps and GIS.

Some similarities are the dynamic representations of information, hold information, and features that are represented by symbology. Some differences are in GIS the information that is altered and stored in digital format as spatial and attribute data. You are able to have attribute tables to demonstrate additional information. One other difference is the metadata. Metadata is essentially the data about data.