GIS for Dummies - Thanksgiving Style

AdrianWelsh · ‎11-23-2016

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! (at least, it is Thanksgiving time in the US). I thought this would give me a fun chance to write a blog post on “GIS for Dummies”, but with a cooking/recipe twist, Thanksgiving style. Some folks at my office and I came up with this idea and this would be a good place to share it.

For starters, this is GIS:

GIS: A Map, But More Than a Map

A way to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, and present data
A series of layered geospatial data organized in one space
A way to solve problems and answer complex questions

However, let’s make it fun so that anyone can understand.

GIS for Dummies Recipe

Ingredients

Take:

4 parts Database
1 1/2 parts Geographic Data
- Points, Lines, Polygons, Rasters, DEM, and 3D Data
1 part Data from Forms / Spreadsheets (Tabular Data)
- Address Lists, GPS Coordinates, and Files
1/2 part Basemap
- Satellite Imagery, Street Map, Topography
3 parts Graphics
- Graphical User Interface (GUI) and Mapping Tools

Combine

In a large Database: Stir Geographic Data with Tabular Information
- Geocoding, Database Design, Make Event Layers
Select a non-stick User Interface and press Basemap evenly into the Corners

Process

Preheat the GIS toolbox to Automate Tasks using Models or Scripts
Divide Data mixture evenly into Feature Layers
Sift and Fold the Feature Layers into Geoprocessing and Analysis tools
- Perform Analyses, Generate Statistics, and Analyze Networks

Finishing Touches

Glaze with Thematic and Map Elements to tell the Story
- Symbols, Labels, Layout, Legend, North Arrow, and Scale Bar
Trim excess and Overlay Layers
- Demonstrate Statistical Hotspots and Illustrate Spatial Patterns
Cool the map on a Web Server for Publishing
- Interactive Maps highlight Spatially and Temporally Dynamic data
When baking at a high altitude, use Custom Widgets to show Data Trends
Decision-makers see Correlations and answer Complex Questions

(this image was too cool not to post! source: decoist.com)

I would love to hear what y’all think about this and would love to hear of anything I should add/take away from this as well. I can continue to update it.

title Image source: pixabay.com