Structure of the Geographic Information System - Term Paper Example

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM A Detailed Analysis Author Author Affiliation Date Table of Contents GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM 1 GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM 1 1- Introduction 3 2- History of GIS 4 3- Current Uses 5 4- GIS Success and Failures 6 5- GIS Future Directions for Growth 10 6- Conclusion 11 References 11 1- Introduction A Geographic Information System or simply GIS is a computer system which is capable of getting, analyzing, storing and displaying geographically referenced data and information; specifically, data recognized from to location. Practitioners as well describe a Geographic Information System as comprising the measures, operating personnel, as well as spatial data that go into the computer system. Geographic Information System technology is able to be employed for scientific resource management, investigations, planning and development. For instance, a Geographic Information System might permit emergency planners to simply compute emergency response times in the happening of a natural disaster, or a Geographic Information System might be employed to discover wetlands that require safety from contamination (U.S. Geological Survey, 2007). Geographic Information System is a new technology based computerized tool employed to map as well as examine the spatial associations among the earth’s features as well as events. A normal Geographic Information System set-up contains a high-powered computer, dedicated mapping software and one or additional digital databases controlling data and information regarding a particular characteristic or event along by geographic details regarding where that characteristic or occasion is located on the earth (Wolff, Falade, Guo, & Smorodinsky, 2010). This paper is aimed to discuss and analyze some of the main aspects of the Geographic Information System or GIS technology. This paper will present its history, success and failures, current uses and future directions for growth. 2- History of GIS The use of maps as a technique of discovering the earth as well as locating natural resources is long been observed in history of human. Actually, the start of Geographic Information Systems is found in history approximately 35,000 years ago, when cave man sketched cave paintings of the places they go and animals they hunted. As the cave paintings simply unclearly resemble today’s higher technology based geographic information systems they hold the similar fundamental data like modern systems: geographic data connected by spatially reliant attribute information (Best Price Computers, 2010). An additional refined contemporary Geographic Information System is able to be tracked to John Snow’s 1854 map of the distribution of occurrences of cholera that took place in the 19th century London. As it is simply a 2 D representation of overall areas of infection. John Snow’s map is a helpful tool to reveal the data analysis potential of Geographic Information Systems. As analyzed in separation, a list of cholera issues suggests nothing because to the source of the outbreak. When that similar data is interpreted into a Geographic Information Systems based graphs and maps then this data and information gives us new and much better details (Best Price Computers, 2010). In 1962 we have seen a huge development in areas of GIS where the development of the world's initial accurate operational Geographic Information Systems in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada developed by the federal Department of Forestry and Rural Development. After that we have seen in 90’s the development of the CGIS Geographic Information Systems that was the world's initial such system as well as an development over "mapping" systems like it offered potentials intended for measurement, overlay as well as digitizing/scanning (Foresman, 1997). In this new age of technology we have seen a rising figure of free of charges, open source GIS packages that have the capability of executing over a variety of operating systems and are able to be modified to carry out particular tasks. More and more geospatial data as well as mapping applications are being offered through the web (WWW). Here one of biggest example is Google Maps (OSGeo Wiki, 2010). 3- Current Uses Geographic Information System is a comparatively novel and rapidly growing practical approach intended to inspect and look at information and data geographically as well as spatially. The United States Census Bureau for instance, uses Geographic Information System technology and functionalities to map to observe at level of education, median household income, service and a host of marks collected from their survey of the cosmos of US inhabitants at a very well resolution down to the street altitude. ESRI (Environmental Systems Research Institute), one of the primary and main institutes for Geographic Information System software development, characterizes this software like connecting the place of information by means of what information demonstrates. Geographic Information System has been often implemented in a range of means, comprising marketplace research, epidemiology, landscape design as well as classroom teaching. The simple need is that data be evidently connected by a number of map-able features that can comprise a state, city, zip code, county, census tract or a multiplicity of others (Daun-Barnett & Affolter-Caine, 2005). Geographic Information System was originally developed by the government agencies and later by private businesses as an influential technique to gather, process, organize, store and examine data and information that is able to be explained or modeled geographically or spatially. It is currently being employed in the academy in a multiplicity of areas and disciplines, mainly environmental as well as new applied sciences. Some of research scholars as of the social sciences as well as humanities are starting to include Geographic Information System like an investigative systems and tool in their analysis and research also, comprising history subject (Daun-Barnett & Affolter-Caine, 2005). 4- GIS Success and Failures This section presents a detailed analysis of some of main success and failures those are attained through the new technology based systems of the GIS: 4.1- Success Factors of GIS The technology of GIS has attained high popularity in a lot of areas of business and personal life. In this scenario this section will assess some of the main advantages and success stories those have achieved through the new technology based platform of GIS technology. In case of business environment staff has correct as well as current information obtainable: (Dangermond, 2010) Jobs are able to be carried out with increase speed through processing and sharing of graphics as well as attribute data in arrangement by sketches as well as information GIS offers facility to manage overhead intended for the updating, production as well as reproduction of maps comprising the analogue foundation map is reduced. GIS offer capability of automatic data transfer GIS provides realization of technological transforms Technology of GIS offers facility for setting up business technical information processing through strengthening a business database GIS provides optimization of company processes GIS at business offers competitive advantages GIS at business offers enhancements to decision-making procedures GIS technology can be used for citizens, accumulating advantages as of new, improved or more rapidly produced services GIS technology offers facility to know the significance of the information products intended for their daily work 4.2- Failures Factors of GIS This section assesses some factors causing failure of GIS technology: 4.2.1- Public Access Geographic Information System is used by the public agencies widely to accomplish their own mandates as well as to formulate them well-organized. Though, their utilization of the GIS technology has as well brought new troubles for the reason that it produces a unique demand intended for information from the public agencies. Together state and federal laws rule access to government records. In this scenario U.S. Freedom of Information Act was approved in 1966 as well as has benefit from significant public support. In case of use of GIS technology corporation and business can access the GIS systems and can have information and maps of all overall world that can be serious problem in case of present terrorist attacks on US and all over the world (Lynch & Foote, 2000) and (Folger, 2009). 4.2.2- Privacy A GIS database involves the entire types of geographic information related to specific people. They can comprise land and tax records, data on construction, property titles or occupancy permits, data on water use or on residency. Occasionally that data might be wrong and consequently can reason financial or social harm. In scenario of gathering data we can compromise security and privacy of public. In this regard if that data goes into some wrong hands then it becomes more dangerous and critical for all business and public in case of privacy protection and management (Lynch & Foote, 2000) and (Folger, 2009). 4.2.3- Liability Most recently, Geographic Information System professionals have turned out to be aware that they can be held officially answerable intended for the accuracy as well as reliability of the information stored in their business or personal databases, issued or sold to the public. If damage is happened or financial loss continued through a mistake made in a Geographic Information System dataset, or through an error not managed once discovered, then those liable of the GIS can end-up in court. The use of GIS data and its handling is a complex and holds extremely high level of liability for the user and corporate that holds that data (Lynch & Foote, 2000) and (Folger, 2009). 4.2.4- Copyrights Copyrights were developed to defend the profitable value of sophisticated and creative effort. Different from other nations, the U.S. does not permit public information or data and information developed or contained by the government to be copyrighted. As the administration is as well necessary to permit access to its information, it keeps no management over the value of data and information, its value that has developed hugely by means of GIS plus other information technologies. In this scenario this information can be hacked or used by someone with wrong intentions and can harm some individual, business or government (Folger, 2009) and (Lynch & Foote, 2000). 5- GIS Future Directions for Growth The technology of GIS is offering a much better support and facility in case of future building and offering more enhanced support in case of better corporate information handling. United States Department of Labor has assessed that Geotechnology as one of the 3 “mega-technologies” of the 21st century, right up there by means of Biotechnology and Nanotechnology. This broad recognition as well as influence is in huge part the outcome of the wide-ranging wave of computer frequency in contemporary society. The new GIS technology is newly offered the facility of Spatial Reasoning and Dialog that is about the Future Communicating Perceptions. Here GIS technology in building future on the cognitive basis, plus the databases, of GIS technology. New GIS technology based information systems are at a threshold that is approaching effectively further than management, mapping, modeling, and multimedia to spatial analysis as well as dialogue (InnovativeGIS, 2006). The new GIS future technology is intended to offer support at consumer level, through uniting by Global Positioning System (GPS) means to perform the heavy lifting behind novel smart-phone systems and applications that clients are able to use to discover the nearest Starbucks or obtain turn-by-turn guidelines to the closest gas station. The use of GIS in future is intended at Government agencies regarding management of the back-room offices as well as onto mobile phones. The new technology of GIS is also really helpful in case disaster management and issues handling. This technology will be able to offer guidance and support for better handling and management of disaster recovery and management. New GIS technology is also having extended heavy use in navigation and routes management. It is all through the world expected in high use for traffic management and routes control (Marshall, 2010). 6- Conclusion A Geographic Information System is capable of capturing, storing, analyzing and presenting the information that is linked to a specified location. At the present, the use of GISs is increasing. In this report I have presented a detailed analysis of some of the main aspects of new technology of GPS. In this scenario this report has offered a deep and detailed analysis of some main uses, issues, facilities and future trends of this technology based working and handling. References Best Price Computers. (2010). Geographic Information Systems. Retrieved December 27, 2010, from http://www.bestpricecomputers.co.uk/glossary/geographic-information-system.htm Dangermond, J. (2010). GIS: Designing Our Future. Retrieved December 26, 2010, from ESRI.com: http://www.esri.com/news/arcnews/summer09articles/gis-designing-our-future.html Daun-Barnett, N., & Affolter-Caine, B. (2005). Utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to Influence State Policy: A new descriptive, diagnostic, and analytical tool for higher education research. Public Policy Conference, (pp. 1-31). Philadelphia. Folger, P. (2009, June 8). Geospatial Information and Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Current Issues and Future Challenges. Retrieved December 26, 2010, from http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R40625.pdf Foresman, T. (1997). The History of GIS (Geographic Information Systems): Perspectives from the Pioneers. Prentice Hall PTR. InnovativeGIS. (2006). Topic 27: GIS Evolution and Future Trends. Retrieved December 27, 2010, from http://innovativegis.com/basis/MapAnalysis/Topic27/Topic27.htm Lynch, M., & Foote, K. E. (2000). Legal Issues Relating to GIS. Retrieved December 27, 2010, from http://www.colorado.edu/geography/gcraft/notes/legal/legal_f.html Marshall, P. (2010, September 17). GIS' future is with crowds, clouds ... and 4-D. Retrieved December 28, 2010, from http://gcn.com/articles/2010/09/20/future-of-gis.aspx OSGeo Wiki. (2010, April 20). Open Source GIS History. Retrieved December 26, 2010, from http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Open_Source_GIS_History U.S. Geological Survey. (2007, February 22). Geographic Information Systems. Retrieved December 27, 2010, from U.S. Geological Survey: http://egsc.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/gis_poster/ Wolff, C., Falade, M., Guo, L., & Smorodinsky, S. (2010, January 25). Geographic Information System (GIS). Retrieved December 28, 2010, from http://www.ehib.org/topic.jsp?topic_key=74 Read More