The development of computer methods for handling spatial data - Introduction

7 important questions on The development of computer methods for handling spatial data - Introduction

Describe the stages of GIS development through the years

1. 1960-1975 pioneering
2.1973-early 1980's experiment and practice
3.1982-late 1980's commercial dominante
4.1990's user dominance vendor competitation
5.2000's mainstream embedded gis

What are the basic components of a GIS?

See Heywood et al. (2011), pages 19-28:
  1. Computer systems and software;
  2. Spatial data;
  3. Data management and analysis procedures;
  4. People.
Burrough (1986) argues that the organizational context also is essential.

Why is training to click on the right buttons insufficient for good education in the use of GIS?

Because, as explained in the answers to questions 1, 2 and 3, GIS is much more than pushing the right buttons. You need to formulate a (spatial) question, develop a suitable spatial data model, collect the right data, perform the right analyses and produce adequate maps. Communicating the results is also important. So, there is much more to GIS than just pushing the right buttons.
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Give some examples of questions that could be addressed with GIS when planning new industrial developments.

You can locate suitable spots for new industrial developments by mapping the characteristics of the environment and the planned activities. Examples:
  • Transportation routes will be important (to supply and distribute products);
  • The environmental impact of different activities can be visualised (e.g. dispersal of noise and pollutants, and the visualisation of safety zones);
  • Vulnerable objects (e.g. schools) can be easily identified and visualised.

Describe the relationship between GIS and geographical information science.

Geographical information science is the science behind geographical information systems (GIS). It involves the study of the fundamental issues arising from the creation, handling, storage and use of geographic information, but it also examines the impacts of GIS on individuals and society and the influences of society on GIS.

Explain the difference between data and information.

Information can be considered "data that have been interpreted" or "data with a meaning". A good example is the difference between a series of letters (e.g., “CAT”) and the meaning of a word (e.g., CAT in English). If you store the letters “CAT” (e.g., on paper or in a text file) they have no meaning as such. However, if you read the letters and interpret them with English language rules and skills, the set of three letters obtains a meaning, i.e., an animal that eats mice and birds.

How were map data used before the introduction of computer methods?

1. identify sites meeting a number of criteria by map sieving
2. measuring distances on map by hand
3. calculating areas by tracing areas onto graph paper and counting squares or by cutting out polygons from a paper  map and weighing them

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