Lab Assignment #4 Projections

Map projections are confusing by nature. Before this class I did not realize that all the maps I had seen up until this point in my life have just been projections - and not completely accurate. Before knowing this, I would've thought that all standard maps are the same, they are just different in terms of point of focus. Realizing that there are many different projections adds an interesting step to the mapping process. Most of the time it seems like we aren't even sure (or don't spend the time to find out) what map projection we are actually using.

It is definitely apparent that different map projections are used to dramatize specific areas. This is why there are map projections for specific countries and regions. Some map projections are so far out there it makes other countries look ridiculously small or large {see the Africa Lambert Conformal Conic Projection). Other projections appear to be somewhat 3D, but remain 2D (US National Atlas Equal Area Projection). It is clearly evident that the most important country/area displayed in a projection (Africa, US, etc..) is shown in the middle of the map - probably because that is the eye's main point of focus.

When fiddling through the different ways to measure, it was apparent that the distance fluctuated greatly. However when I changed the graticule from about 2,3 to 30,30 it didn't change the distance at all. My guess to this would be changing the graticules doesn't change the projection, it just changes the size of the map? Therefore the distance would remain the same.

Similar to my experience, it is easy to form a misconception by looking at a single projection for a long period of time, without the knowledge that there are different projections. This may cause confusion about the nature of new projections. Indeed, some are pretty ridiculous, one in particular is the Bonne projection shown above. One wouldn't normally think of the world in a heart shape, nor care to view a map this way. But this is just one way someone (I'm assuming Bonne) chose to view the 3D world in 2D.

ArcMap Tutorial

This was my first in depth experience with ArcMap and it was challenging to say the least. At first, I was really excited to be working with ArcMap. It is an extremely useful tool, however it is intricate and somewhat tedious. I would say the hardest part for me was not ArcMap itself, but navigating through Virtual Labs and using a USB drive from home. The trickiest part is saving your map in same location as the data, due to the fact that if you don't, your map will come up pretty empty. This doesn't seem like a very difficult thing to do, but when you are using NetStorage and a USB drive, it can be quite confusing.

Perhaps it is because I am new to ArcMap, but it seems like one must do a thousand things to get the desired result - for instance a new road. Naturally, tutorials are confusing, however it felt like a lot of prep work had to be done to add a new feature or display data correctly. It was also confusing to be working with a tutorial for an older version of ArcMap, and more than once I had to look up on the internet how the differences played out. My skills with ArcMap are a work in progress, but I can see where there might disadvantage with having software that is not-so user friendly.

As stated in one of the readings provided for this class, privacy is a huge issue with GIS. With so much mapping technology and images available, one can wonder to what extent is my privacy inflicted upon? Or is it? Although GIS has been around for a little while now, and most companies and agencies use it, being able to map out trends and habits of people can seem to be an unfair disadvantage. Today, populations are being mapped out due to habits, opinions, and personal information. Maybe you don't want to be a part of that population being mapped out? Unless you're willing to do the research and digging to find such maps, you probably will never know how much of a statistic you are.

Another downfall to GIS is the ever evolving technology it uses. This can cost thousands for businesses to train and retrain their employees, but also a hassle for the employees themselves. Although the evolution can be positive, it can also be negative in this aspect. You may learn one version of a program and get to be fluent with it, and then have a new version come out that is mandatory to your line of work. Hopefully, the software and programs have base similarities, so it is not hard to learn new software.

Now that I have gotten my feet wet with ArcMap, it will be interesting to see what other perspectives and visions are possible to create.

Lab Three Assignment

Here is the link to My Map.

http://goo.gl/maps/DI8Ei

Like we discussed in class, maps are definitely opinionated and biased. Neogeography takes this bias to a whole different level. Because there are no rules or written guidelines for Neogeographers to follow, their maps can be completely personal, and may not assist others in what they are trying to find. This makes Neogeography not as trustworthy as say Rand McNally for instance. Its as simple as this: would you rather use a vacation guide published by Rand McNally, or a unpublished stranger's My Map from Google to guide your vacation, that ultimately might not be correct or portray what you want to see?

Neogeography is very creative, I will give it that. It is also very individualized and personal. It seems that its use is directed towards for example: sharing your My Maps with your friends after a backpacking trip in Europe to show them where you have gone. However, maybe it is only a matter of time before Neogeograpy blows up and more popular and accurate.

Maps that involve pictures and videos may also be deceiving towards those hoping to see the same thing. As the earth's surface is constantly evolving and changing, it is a good bet that you are not going to see the same portrait you saw in 1950 that you are seeing now. This can cause problems for those that rely solely on Neogeography for their navigation across the globe.