As demonstrated in class and through a tutorial lesson, ArcMap and the ArcGIS Suite are sophisticated tools for spatial analysis that delve beyond the needs of neogeographers and the software found in Geobrowsers. While neogeographers have the ability to overlay various sets of data, such as a map and their favorite restaurant locations, ArcMap allows for a much more detailed set of manipulation that focuses on data analysis versus generating and sharing media content.
The program highlights the opportunity for data analysis and comparing seemingly separate data sets. For example, in the relatively simple introductory tutorial you are able to analyze the changes in the noise contour generated by an airport expansion to see which of the surrounding areas and schools will be affected. The potential benefits are extensive, providing an efficient means for dealing with a large quantity of data that can be organized and then analyzed, and finally presented in an accessible format. I can easily understand the widespread use of this in various sectors of business and government.
From a user’s perspective, the software also has many benefits. The organization of toolbars and data is easily understandable for someone with basic computer experience. Also various functions such as layout organization, graph creation, color scheme presentation and other visual elements or medium for presenting data, though not intuitive are also easily understood following the tutorial.
However, despite the numerous benefits, from my learning experience, there also seems to be a significant number of challenges to those learning to use the software. Though the layout is well organized and relatively simple, the system used for organizing and saving source data is challenging and there are many opportunities for error that can send the user struggling to correct or locate the problem. This difficultly continues in many of the more simple steps as well, where a small error will leave a user frustrated and struggling to find where they went wrong. Also, at this point, despite using the tutorial multiple times, though I understand and can replicate the processes it seems difficult to develop an intuitive feel for the program that would allow one to efficiently plan and edit their own project using the software. However, despite this steep learning curve, the program is very well designed and with patience and practice users will have a powerful tool at their disposal whose application seems limited only by the data available.
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