Schools and Noise Contour; Lab #4

Overall, my experience with ArcMap was difficult but I learned a lot. It was a very steep learning curve, as Professor Shin had mentioned, but the ArcMap pdf tutorial was very straightforward. It will just take some time and a few practice-runs to get used to the software and for me to realize its full potential.

GIS can be good for analyzing large quantities of data, as we did when calculating the population density of this particular area in lab #4. It's also useful to be able to layer different types of data, as well as comparing different types of data. GIS makes it easy to visualize data by attributing certain colors to certain percentage points, and so on. Being able to zoom in on a large map allows the user to easily spot any anomalies or errors in the data or in the map itself. Zooming out also allows the user to gain perspective.

GIS is good for many things, however, I can spot a few negative aspects to it as well. Because GIS is so technical, it can make problems seem smaller than they really are. People may make flawed decisions on what to do with a certain plan if they misread the model or if the data is improperly represented. Data must also be looked at specifically for the level it is collected for; that is to say, one cannot base decisions on data for the district or ward level if data is only collected at the county level. Data can also be expensive to acquire, so how accurate a model is depends largely on the amount of funds you have, which can make some models inaccurate or insufficient.

In conclusion, I think that the pros outweigh the cons when it comes to trying to find the potentials and pitfalls of GIS. Error can be avoided through careful data entry and careful examination of the model itself. It also helps if the person viewing the model is familiar with or accustomed to the ArcMap program and reading data. Using ArcMap has shown me that anyone, with the right tools and tutorial, can develop a meaningful model that could potentially serve people in a positive way.

Lab 3: Great California Hikes, Walks, and Other Adventures

View Great California Hikes & Walks & Other Adventures in a larger map

I have created my own MashUp on GoogleMaps of the hikes, walks, bike rides, and swimming adventures I've partaken in, as well as ones that I wish to conquer in the Future. Since I am not a California native, I thoroughly enjoy what California has to offer in terms of its natural beauty and outdoor adventure.

In this neographic assignment, I have created a map that allows people to view where I have been and to read what I have commented about. While this may be useful to some people, there is a pitfall: What I find fun or exciting may not appeal to someone else, and they may not find my map useful. It would be more useful if the public could contribute their adventures to my MashUp. Also, my MashUp is limited to my California Adventures, which may not be useful to people out-of-state. In addition, there is another consequence: My MashUp is not flawless and people may be concerned with the accuracy in my listings.

All in all, I enjoy the outdoor adventures that I have had the chance to experience in California and can't wait to add more to the list. I hope people will find this map useful when looking for something fun to do outdoors in Northern or Southern California.

Lab 2: USGS Topographic Maps

1. The name of the quadrangle is, “Beverly Hills Quadrangle.” It is a 7.5 minute series map.
2. Van Nuys, Topanga, Hollywood, and Venice are essentially directly adjacent. Diagonal to this quadrangle are Canoga Park, Burbank, and Inglewood are diagonally adjacent to Beverly Hills.
3. Topography compiled in 1966.
4. North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83)
5. 1:24,000
6. Scale:
a. 5 centimeters on the map is equivalent to 1,200 meters on the ground.
b. 5 inches on the map is equivalent to 10,000 feet on the ground, which is about 1.89 miles on the ground.
c. One mile on the ground is equivalent to 2.64 inches on the map.
d. 3 km on the ground is equivalent to 12.5 centimeters on the map.
7. The contour interval is 20 feet. Supplementary contour interval is 10 feet.
8. Approximate geographic coordinates:
a. Public Affairs Building: (34°4’27” & -118°26’21”) (34.074167° & -118.4391667°)
b. Tip of Santa Monica Pier: (34°0’27” & -118°29’59”) (34.0075° & -118.499723°)
c. Upper Franklin Canyon Reservoir: (34°07’10” & 118°24’37”) (34.11940° & 118.40°)
9. Approximate elevation in both feet and meters:
a. Greystone Mansion: 570 ft, 173.736 m
b. Woodlawn Cemetery: 140 ft, 42.672 m
c. Crestwood Hills Park: 600 ft, 182.88 m
10. UTM zone = 11
11. 362 eastings, 3763 northings
12. 1,000,000 sq. meters
13. (See above picture.)
14. Magnetic declination of the map = 14°
15. South
16. (See above picture.)