Review:
My experience of doing this homework is meaningful and impressive. At first, I just mechanically fellow steps provided on the tutorial, even the sequence of clicking a single button. I hesitated many times because I was afraid something would go wrong and make my results different. It's such an time-consuming and intensive work to do. If I finished it in that way, I will hate this software and even lose interest in GIS maybe.
However, things changed when I was stratifying the colors of layers in the second map(Land Use within Noise Contour). I felt the power of GIS the first time. Every different attributes were revealed clearly and orderly in the lists, and the software automatically assign different light colors for them. With a few simple clicks, the map turns out to be animated and visualized. Those redundant and arcane statistics became understandable to everyone and the process to create is acceptable.
After understanding the power of ArcGIS, I continued to do this work with energy and curiosity. I realized that the procedures were not that inflexible. There are lots of different ways to reach the same results. And even if it was different, I could find out myself and get a better understanding of how it works. For example, at first I always forgot to switch between different maps when adding a new feature. But after I got familiar with it, I started to glance at the objects first and then switch to the frames I want, insert intended features without the guide of tutorial. At last, I would check with tutorials to see what's the difference between its and mine, why it looks like that and why it is better and so on. Then I got which is required work(like switching between frames), which is optional(like there are lots of buttons already on the front because we are using a newer version).
After I finished my map, I start to evaluate this emerging technology. I find it is pretty cool to use the power of computer to create maps with which has numerous features, stratified layers and clear statistics. It really changed the old concept of map. In my previous impression, map is the just the paper in the hand or guide in an unfamiliar city. However, GIS creates a moving and multiple world that helps almost every area of life. It also helps to build visualized statistics in science researches. Besides, it is very easy to approach those data. Since it's easy to create and easy to understand, people don't need specific training to use it. Just follow instructions or even explore it themselves.
However, I also found some pitfalls from my short experience.First, it requires advanced, wide-spread infrastructure to reveal it's power. When I was making this map, my computer crashed twice. Though it's easy to solve it, like improve the power of computer, it means it exceeds most computers in the world. It may work good in U.S., but what about other parts of the world? So it's still a long way to go and full of potential. Besides, It seems there's not a unified format or software. I can only use ArcGIS in computer lab because my laptop is macbook. If it's diverse in each software or system. It will hurt the development and Popularization of GIS.
In a nut shell, GIS is full of potential. It's my first time to touch it so specifically and it's a good experience. I'm glad to see a powerful technology in its growing phase!
