Introduction
Welcome to Geography 115b Spatial Techniques
What
are Spatial Techniques and who needs them anyway?
We
begin with an example of
Spatial
Techniques in Action
A
Model for 4WD Terrain Traversability
Test
Area - Clark County, Nevada
A
few powerpoint slides
...followed
by a digital slideshow
Quescussion:
“based
on the example, what might Spatial Techniques include?”
Once
again then, welcome
to
Geography 115b Spatial Techniques
The
Structure of Today’s Meeting
Example
of Spatial Techniques in Action
A
bit about what I do
Course
Outline
Introduction
A
bit about what I do
Academic
Background
College/University
degrees in —
Computer
Science (Prac. Eng., 3 years), Economics (B.A., 4 years), Geography (M.A., 3
years), Geography (Ph.D., 4.5 years)
[14.5 academic
years folded into 12.5 years]
Currently
I am an academician:
specializing
in Geographic Image Processing
doing: teaching, research, admin
Professional
milestones as a prof:
Accidental
academic software developer:
MAP
II Map Processor team
The
MAP II project led to 3-4 years of work with The World Bank
mainly
in Angola, Africa.
Co-author
of a GIS book entitled “Simple Computer Imaging and Mapping”
Pazner
M., N. Thies and R. Chavez
Co-founder
of ThinkSpace Inc.
a
GIS R&D corporation
used
to be housed at the UWO Research Park
DBA
Keigan Systems
(near the CEEPS)
products: Map•Factory, M•F Works, M•Fcom, KeiganGrid
(incl. for GeoMedia)
Left
ThinkSpace in 1997
Founded
SymVista in 2000
a
Computer Visualization high-tech start-up
developed
Geographic Flight Simulation software and services
**********************
G115b
is a course
Spefically
designed for the CAM program
Course
Outline
check
it out
* Changes in G115b *
Important
Reminders
No
LAB this week
Readings
for Next Week
Proposed
Office Hours....
*************************
A
few anecdotes from the Preface to Map Use
“...innovations
are rapidly transforming the way we use maps”
while
this is the focus for the revised edition, the authors go on to say that:
“Most
of what you need to know about using maps isn’t new”
“This
book has been written strictly for the person who wants to use maps”
I
recommend you read the Preface so that you understand the spirit in which the
book was written.
“Introduction”
A
Map is defined in the book as a
spatial
representation of the environment
Representation
natural
languages
artificial
languages (formal, symbolic)
pictures
(graphic language)
Environmental
Visualization
physical
maps (external representation)
cognitive
(mental) maps
Mental
Maps
interesting
expose on the subject
Buzz
Groups
Explain
and Discuss Fig. I.4
concepts:
direct experience, egocentric, connected path,
vs.
also geocentric, indirect experience, extrasensory perception
Other
Important Concepts
Cardinal
directions
Euclidean
geometry
Read
p. 6 2nd line from the bottom, to p.7 “...says something about your lifestyle
and values”.
Cartographic
Maps
Map
Making vs. Map Use
Map
Use: Reading, Analysis, Interpretation
general
purpose or reference maps
(“here is found”)
vs.
special
purpose or thematic maps
“what
if we were willing to look at the world this way?”
“It’s
crucial to use a map as it was designed to be used”
Mapping
Constraints
Map
Purpose
Geographical
Reality (“mappability”)
Available
Data
Scale
Policy
Technical
Limitations
Audience
Conditions
of Use
Check
Out Figs I.5, I.8, cartoon
Map
Appreciation -
-
Read it - a great finale to the Introduction ‘chapter’ !
The
End
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