Introduction to GIS

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Introduction to GIS
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GIS Definitions

• A map connected to a database
• A computerized data base management system for
  capture, storage, retrieval, analysis, and
  display of spatial data
• Key concept well-designed system of data and
  tools

3
GIS requires understanding basic principles in

• Mapping and cartography
• Database design
• If you focus only on mapping or database design,
  your GIS will not be as good as it can be.

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Concepts are most importantSoftware can be
learned more easily

• What remains constant
• Spatial analysis concepts are relatively stable
• All GIS software programs support basic analysis
  concepts
• What changes frequently
• Tools, user interfaces, inclusion of additional
  capabilities (e.g., 3D, spatial statistics)
• Data formats
• Focus more on concepts not just on software
  training

5
GIS strengths

• Good database management system for spatial
  information
• More efficient updates
• Easy and effective display
• Able to integrate data from many different
  sources (but)

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GIS Weaknesses

• Cost and difficulty of database creation
• Higher accuracy, higher costs
• Integration of data from diverse sources can
  result in poor overall accuracy if not well
  managed
• Representation of dynamic data flows,
  dispersion, people, time
• Representation of fuzzy data

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Data Input and Output

• Data Input
• Procedure for encoding data into the computer 2
  types SPATIAL and ATTRIBUTE data
• Usually a major bottleneck in implementing a GIS
• 5 common types of data input include
• Keyboard entry
• Scanning
• Manual digitizing
• GOGO (Coordinate Geometry used by surveyors)
• Input of existing digital data

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Data Input and Output

• Data Input (cont.)
• Metadata data about the data and includes
• Date of collection
• Positional accuracy
• Classification accuracy
• Completeness
• Method used to collect and encode data

• Data Output
• Hard Copy (paper/mylar maps, reports, etc.)
• Soft Copy (eg. Powerpoint, Web, etc.)

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Metadata

• Metadata (meta data, meta-data, or sometimes
  metainformation) is data about data. Metadata
  is an emerging practice with close ties to
  librarianship, information science, information
  technology and GIS. It can be applied to a vast
  array of objects including both physical and
  electronic items such as raw data, books, CDs,
  DVDs, images, maps, database tables, and web
  pages. Since the emergence of the Dublin Core
  metadata set and the internet, use of metadata
  has experienced a considerable growth in
  popularity as businesses and other organizations
  seek to organize rapidly growing volumes of data
  and information.

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GIS and GPS
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GIS and GPS

• One of the right-side tires of the Space
  Shuttle Columbia recovered near Hemphill, Texas
  in 2003. Shuttle debris locations were mapped
  using GPS. Maps were then developed to guide
  debris recovery efforts and assess hazardous
  material. Photo by Stephen C. Brown.

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GIS and GPS
Space Shuttle Columbia debris recovered through
the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
and Global Positioning System (GPS)
technology.Photo by Stephen C. Brown.
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GIS and GPS Integration Techniques

• Data-focused Integration
• Position-focused integration
• Technology-focused integration

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Data-focused Integration

• Garmin Rino 110/120
• DNR Garmin
• ArcView 10

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Position-focused integration

• Garmin iQue M5
• ArcPad 7.1/8.0/10

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Technology-focused integration

• Magellan ProMark 3
• MobileMapper Office

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Summary

• GIS Map Database
• Mapping AND Database both important
• Constant spatial analysis concepts
• Changes software tools, data formats
• Strengths good spatial data management, speed,
  integration of data
• Weaknesses higher costs for higher accuracy,
  some data types hard to model
• Metadata data about the data ? Important
• 3 Types of GIS/GPS Integration
  Data/Position/Technology Focused Integration