ArcMap

This was my first experience using ArcMap and due to my inexperience in this program I found this assignment very challenging. There were lots of little steps that added up to a lot of time put into making these maps. I feel that I learned a lot using this program and find it a very useful tool in making maps. It is amazing to me that this type of technology is available and is now being widely used.

ArchMap has the ability to display many different attributes on a map making it easy to create a map that highlights the information you want to display. I really enjoyed how personalized you can make maps by adding different color gradients or background colors to the map and legend. Being able to make corresponding graphs enhances the information you wish to present. The ability to remove or add items such as schools, roads or highways can make the map easier to read and interpret for the reader.

I feel like I had a really hard time following all the instructions quickly and spent about 9 hours on this assignment. This is partially my fault for not saving information correctly as well as being new to this program and becoming oriented with the way it functions. I think populations that are not fluent with computers would find this program extremely challenging. To use this program well one must be fluent with computers in general and be familiar with the way ArcMap is used.

Overall I think this is a great program and a great tool for making readable maps as long as you have computer fluency and program fluency. I look forward to becoming more familiar with this program so that it becomes less challenging for me to use and I am able to make the types of maps I desire to outline the information I wish to present.

Google Map Assignment

A trip to Joseph, OR

My Trip

I really enjoyed using Google Maps to create a day trip through Joseph, OR. It was very helpful to create a map based on my interests and highlight stops on my trip. Being able to add pictures of the stores I wanted to stop at was fun and would be helpful on a trip. I really liked how easy it was to find appropriate icons and add markers along the route.
I think that neogeography is really fun and useful but may be difficult for some populations to use. It is highly computer based and takes some basic online knowledge. Another difficulty I noticed is that when I was attempting to highlight stops on my route not all shops/stores were visible on the map so some people may have a difficult time creating an accurate route if they cannot find their stops on the map.
I was unaware of this tool Google Maps provided but I will now use it for future reference when planning my next trip.

3 Interesting Maps

This is a map outlining poverty in the Inland Northwest. This is from an article released from the New York Times with the information coming from the Census Bureau. I find this interesting because it is a good way of visually seeing "hot spots" for poverty in our area. Using this type of map can help to address what areas are in need of more services to help those in need.

This map was published by the Spokesman Review and was created by the Census Bureau. This map outlines population differences throughout WA state and how different counties have grown in ethnicity. It is interesting to see migration patterns of different ethnicities and how they help diversify WA state.

 The last map I found was released by the Uniform Crime Report and outlines the larceny rates for the US. I find this very interesting because WA state, specifically Spokane, has higher larceny rates than much of the country. Spokane is one of the highest cities in the country for car theft.