GIS Introduction

GIS Introduction
- Components
  - computer system
    - hardware/ OS = platform (e.g. PC vs. mainframe)
    - software itself
      - open source
        
        US Army - GRASS
        
        Jump
        
        Quantum GIS
        
        uDig
      - commercial
        
        ArcGIS (ESRI)
        
        Idrisi
        
        Microstation
        
        GeoMedia
      - sometimes people equate GIS to the software
  - geographic data
    - spatial data
    - attribute data
  - functions
    - input/ maintain data
      - input
      - edit/ update
      - transform
    - analyze
      - Query
      - buffer
      - overlay
        
        "stacking" 2+ maps of the same region ...
        
        ... clip (park over forest)
        
        ... erase (proposed park over ownership)
        
        ... update (replace portions with new data)
      - network routing
      - catchment areas
        
        area defined by a point
        
        ... watersheds & sub-basins
        
        ... school catchments
      - terrain
        
        slope
        
        aspect
        
        viewshed
        
        solar gain/ exposure
        
        3D modeling
        
        basic TIN model
        
        with image drape
        
        modeling a city
    - output
      - screen
      - paper
      - web
  - organization/ people
    - GIS Technician
      - "keeper of the data"
      - create/edit the data (maps & tables)
      - transform data (projections & datums)
      - integrate data (many sources)
      - customize programming code
      - plot maps
    - GIS Analyst
      - "user of the data"
      - plan & conduct analyses ...
      - ... working with resource professionals
      - customize programming code
      - cartographic design (maps)
    - GIS Manager
      - "da boss"
      - manage projects ...
      - resources ...
      - staff ...
      - budget ...
      - technology
- What is GIS
  - System ...
  - Information System ...
  - Geographic Information System ...
    - integrated set components (computer, data, functionality, people)
    - that operate on spatially explicit data (aka geog. info.)
    - to generate new information
    - to aid in decision-making
  - GIS vs. GISc