GIS 5007 Introduction

Well, I am beginning my third GIS course and my third course for this degree program. I look forward to learning about computer cartography, which will include Adobe Illustrator.

I joined this program because I am very interested in cartography. As a U.S. Army Infantryman, I was very reliant on maps and my ability to navigate. I developed a very keen interest in maps, so this was a natural fit for me. Additionally, the more I learned about GIS, the more I understood that its applicability is very wide and deep. It is not just about making maps, there are many other tools that use GIS as a base.

As I have stated before, I am very close to ending my 30+ years in the U.S. Army. All good things have to end and I have done my time...it's time for the younger folks to take over. Therefore, I wanted to obtain more technical skills, especially with regard to computers and information systems. Though I might regret it later, I am happy that I will learn some coding in future classes.

As part of this course, I had to create a story map on ArcGIS Online, much like the story map I created as part of my final project for GIS 5050. However, I did not use the Cascade version, but the newer version.

If you would like to look at my story map, it is at:

http://arcg.is/0uiOeO

or

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/6f05cbc30b654d018578fd39e6edb8ab

I look forward to building my knowledge base throughout my studies.

URLs for Map Products

The cascade storymap and the commentary can be found at the following links:

Storymap:  http://arcg.is/1PPmK0

Commentary:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1a5qgWWQ7dJly9i4synfSTqyrQxlcwxTG/view?usp=sharing

Summary of Final Project--Storymap

This was a very time-intensive project that brought all lessons learned in GIS 4043/5050. It was very rewarding and I continued the learning process throughout the design, research, analysis, and map production.

There are many lessons learned that I have captured in previous posts. As part of the project, I created a Cascade Storymap from ArcGIS Online. Though this had some excellent tools and attributes, I wish it had functionality a little closer to Power Point or other presentation tools. However, I do like that you can place an interactive map into the presentation.

Here are some of the tools I would recommend to be integrated:
--Ability to change font.
--Manipulation of each section to include picture placement, text location, etc.
--Ability to remove or re-position titles of slides.

The URL to my Cascade Map is:  http://arcg.is/1PPmK0

Below is my summary map that displays all criteria analyzed during this project. This summary map is also integrated into my Cascade Storymap as an immersive map.

Summary Map of Bobwhite-Manatee Transmission Project.
All features are added to this map and all symbology is consistent with
previous maps. This map is a "one-pager" that brings all criteria together and
presents the overall analysis.
Bottom line, the corridor meets all criteria and balances the need for additional
electrical power capacity with the impact on the environment and community.

ArcGIS Collector and Sharing Maps

Lab 3 was quite fun and creative. I was introduced to ArcGIS Online, which synchronized with ArcGIS Pro at my work station. Additionally, I operated ArcGIS Collector, an intuitive, powerful tool, especially for emergency management personnel. The assignment required me to pinpoint five public safety objects and plot them on a map via Collector (real time or offline). I chose fire hydrants because of their importance and effect on rental insurance premiums.

In ArcGIS Pro, I created domains (parameters and descriptions of the feature class) for the fire hydrants. I portrayed the fire hydrants' condition using a Red-Amber-Green format (with a qualitative definition). The steps were straightforward and intuitive, and the concepts built upon the previous lab assignments.

Once the feature class was complete, populated to my map, and scale and extent were updated, I shared my map as a "Web Layer" with the UWF persons. This option is unavailable unless you are signed into ArcGIS Pro. Once I configured the feature layer and analyzed for errors, I published the map, which populated onto ArcGIS Online (must sign in).

I adjusted the feature layer, I added it to my web map and shared with UWF.  I easily downloaded ArcGIS Collector to my Android phone and added locations and pictures to my map, taking less than 30 seconds per location. The map updated in real time on my phone. When I opened ArcGIS Online, my points were also updated and could be opened on ArcGIS Pro. I was very impressed that all my points, descriptions, and photos were either plotted on my map or available by clicking the location.

My story map is located at  http://arcg.is/1SmXXX if you have access to ArcGIS Online, UWF Group.