Back to Basics

           For my fourth lab, I followed a 5-part tutorial given by ArcGIS. Through this single yet extensive lab, I was able to utilize one set of data and manipulate it for three different purposes. Many basic and important techniques were taught throughout the tutorial. It took me much longer than expected to complete, which Professor Sheng has repeatedly told us. This reason is probably why he emphasizes, and writes in our lab instructions, to save our work as we go along. Overall ArcGIS is a great tool to help with data analysis. However, there are still certain drawbacks to using this program.

            User-friendly is not word that I would readily use for this program. Following directions would be very difficult if someone is using this program without any prior experience. Having some previous exposure helped in managing the program. Even then, getting through the tutorial was very time consuming. Also, the program is very susceptible to accidents that may have you start from scratch. There was one point during the lab that my map would not show up in the “Layout View” or even when I tried to print preview. These mistakes are not easily undone because the “Undo” button only goes so far back.

            Once mastery of this system has been accomplished, then the true potential of this program can be revealed. ArcGIS is helpful for mass amounts of data. Data portrayal can also be strategically manipulated in order to help others learn about spatial relationships. Therefore, scientific data can be better understood by those who are not well-versed, or simply do not have the time to locate these associations. Policy makers and stakeholders are some examples of people who need to understand these correlations quickly and thoroughly.

            For a beginning tutorial, this lab was a difficult one. It was able to cover many useful features such as symbology, joining attribute tables, and basic cartography techniques. ArcGIS also allows for one to customize maps and make them aesthetically appealing to any audience. The tutorial also allowed us to apply analytic techniques to large amounts of data. For example, we calculated the population density of many areas with a simple equation and illustrated the differences through a symbolic color ramp. ArcGIS has plenty of potential and like with many other technologies, there are still obstacles the program still needs to overcome. Still, these setbacks do not fully prevent the program from being a valuable tool.