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What is GIS: GIS is, in simple terms, a system of geographic information or information about earthly objects, for a defined area, depicted on the Maps using special softwares. |
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All objects on earth for that matter such as trees, buildings, farms, wells, pond, roads - virtually everything that we see, have their specified location. These may be identified with Lat-Longs - or Latitudes and Longitudes. The maps can easily show each object and area, with the help of these location values in miniature form as per a given scale. |
The scales and projections are the key factors desired to display any earthly details on the maps and we shall know about these technical terms little later in this section. But, what is important to know for us at this moment is that the maps once put on the computer, acquire many new features and capabilities leading to many other advantageous usages of the same map.
The GIS starts building with the maps getting recorded [or digitized as the term is] on the computer. There is one more important component of GIS - that is, Data. The data related to all or some of the objects on these digitised maps is also imported from database systems into the GIS and is put attached to the corresponding objects or areas, thus making the maps far more information-ful and meaningful.
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As the things keep modifying and upgrading to newer levels, the GIS maps may further have layers - multiple layers of maps. From the same place and area, of almost the same territory, but different information be stored on different Maps or layers. GIS has capability to play with these layers: to put one over the other, show layers by selection, as required, etc. |
GIS has other interesting capabilities also, like enlarging or reducing the maps on screen - this is known to be Zoom-in and Zoom-out feature of GIS. You may imagine how a big Map of a large area would appear on small screen of computer. Naturally the things would look pretty small and congested. To take a close look, you would like to enlarge it. This is called as Zooming-in. To a map, if you apply Zoom-in, it will start showing the map enlarged stage by stage. Go to a level where you are able to see the map elements clearly. To ellaborate, imagine of a birds-eye-view at the start from a very high altitude when you would be able to view larger area but all objects would look smaller. The moment you start coming to lower heights, the things become clearer and clearer. But in this kind of scene, now you would be able to view only smaller piece of land on earth. So while talking about the Zoomed-in view of map on computer screen, only a part of the Map would be visible before you on the screen.
Next, you would like to browse the adjoining areas. Move right and left, up and down, on the screen - is what you would want to do. This is called as Pan the map and that’s another feature on GIS
To have a look at the data, you would like to view several records together in browse mode or would like to see one set of record at a time! There are commands available to do either. Thus, data about each and every object is readily available in the same GIS map window.
You have understood, most of basic features of GIS now in-fact.
So to revise, a GIS is such a system that has digitized map, with lot other features for convenience to use the maps and ofcourse has the data attached very much. What kind of database - if you ask. Well, it is your standard database obviously. Of excel, Access, Oracle, Open Source Data, or anything.
GIS powers are many, it has map modification facilities, map superimposition facilities, map querying facilities, analysis facilities and so on. So actually it is a much advanced system.
You may explore all this once you have a GIS package on your PC. So go and grab one, if you don't have it.
Now, coming to theoretic definitions of GIS:
Definitions: As regards its Definition, if you want to mug up:
“GIS IS A COMPUTERISED INFORMATION STORAGE, PROCESSING AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM, THAT HAS HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO COPE WITH GEO GRAPHICALLY REFERENCED SPATIAL DATA AND CORRESPONDING ATTRIBUTE INFORMATION”
TRAINING COURSES AT INDIAN INSTITUTE
OF REMOTE SENSING |
“GIS is an integrated system of software, hardware, a reason, man-power to manage topographic, demographic, utility, facility, image and other resource data which is all geographically referenced.” "GIS may also be said to be a system with features to assemble, store, manipulate, and display geographically referenced information”. |
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Certificate courses Specialised courses PG Diploma course |
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The Components of GIS
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Hardware
All the equipment required for collection of data, analysis, etc. forms the Hardware component. Data collection uses digitizer for storing printed maps to digital maps. A GPS assists to obtain data in the field. There may be scanners, plotters forming part of peripheral devices.
Software
These are special software, exclusive GIS softwares which have several features to store, retrieve, edit or modify, reproduce maps. These also have features of querying and analysis. A standard GIS package in the market is available at high to very high costs, but there are cheaper versions and Free downloadable versions also. Some of packages available in the market are ArcInfo, MapInfo, AutoCAD Map, etc. To know details of softwares on GIS, names and availability of brands and about the free downloadable GIS do keep reading other pages on the mpgis.co.nr.
Data
Data forms the core of a GIS. The data attached to maps is called as attributes. You may attach any kind of standard database that is easily imported into GIS software.
The Reason for the GIS
You have to have a purpose and reason nehind making a GIS. Say you may do it for management of data for activities of Agriculture, Forest, Town Plan etc. etc. There must be a clear understanding about as to what would go into GIS as maps and data. What use are you gping to put to. So remember, unless this part is defined before hand, you are not making any GIS.
The People
The people required would be experts and end-users who would from the discipline for which GIS is forming. There shall be other lot of eprsons also say the operators, the GIS analyst, the Remote Sensing persons etc. This type of Man power and people also form part of the GIS.
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| ADVANTAGES OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM | Features of a GIS | ||
| •Organised databases •Quick retrieval and updation of data •Easy to perceive •Inter-relation •Data integration •Queries •Comparative analyses •Minimum area - large set of data •Large area - minimum set of data. |
•Data storage, retrieval, display
•Data linkage •Geo-coding and geo-sorting •Network analysis •Spatial analysis •Transformation of data •Synthesis and integration of data •Updation of data •Reproduction •Other |
COMPARISION OF PAPER MAPS AND GIS (DIGITAL)
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ADVANTAGES of
PAPER MAP - EASY TO DISTRIBUTE
- TRANSPORTABLE
- EASY TO USE
- EASY TO STANDARDIZE
- FAMILIAR
- LOW TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS
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ADVANTAGES of
DIGITAL GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM • EFFICIENT STORAGE OF MANY LAYERS
AND LARGE DATA BASES
• FAST DATA RETRIEVAL AND UPDATE
• LOW MAINTENANCE AND EXTRACTION
COST PER DATA UNIT
• GRAPHIC AND ATTRIBUTE INFORMATION
• CAN BE MERGED AND MANIPULATED
• INTERACTIVE GRAPHICS DESIGN AND MAP
COMPOSITION
• ANALYTICAL PROCESSES NOW PRACTICAL
INPUT SCALE INDEPENDENT
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HOW TO FORMULATE A GIS?
·Assess the need first : Do we really need it? Is the data spatial? Is the area large? Is it often required to view things collectively? Is it heterogeneous data? etc. etc.
·Define area and get it in cartographic form - maps
·Define data sets that are location specific; get data and get their situation.
·Place or attach or link the data to maps - each set separately available as separate maps or layers.
·Define rules of accessing database in form of queries.
·Test by combining data sets (layers) to determine inter-relationship.
·Analyse various data sets independently and collectively.
·THINK … THINK & THINK on possible uses
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The detailed science of Maps:
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Having map in hand is an outcome of very detailed technical process which yields a map that talks geometry of Earth with precision. The maps have scales and they have lot other standards which one must try to understand to understand significance of Mapping. [...Read on] Important Notes on Maps
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A TOOL FOR Lat-Long conversion from Decimal to Degrees/vice versa |
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Important: This page presents picks from the Indian and other websites from the globe. The names of the companies/organisations carrying out these training programmes are also given alongwith. There is, as such, no special criteria of selection and providing link here. The editorial team and the supporting technical staff found these examples worth quoting due to the technical variety and relevance to beginners or users of GIS. Any programme being missed out or not given place here, is absolutely unintentional, and the designers, the editorial team along with support staff for the website, in no case, must be held responsible for this. However, we shall welcome addition of new suitable material if any one refers to us and if you want to do so, please feel free to ask for it giving the URL.
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Project of UNESCO on GIS training:
Training Module on the Applications of GIS for On-line Governance and Accessing Public Domain Information...____________________(...Read on)
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GIS LOUNGE - A website for GIS learning
Online lessons in a wide range of subject matters for learning GIS. Take an introduction to GIS class. Other subject matters include using Census data in GIS and an Introduction to Hydrology. Tutorial for learning about spatial data, its usefulness, accessibility and the national infrastructure (NSDI) which supports it... __________________ (...Read on)
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Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, Dehradun:
Although formerly known as the Indian Photo-Interpretation Institute (IPI),
the IIRS was set up in 1966 under the patronage of the Survey
of India to provide hands-on training of emerging remote sensing
technology. The success of satellite remote sensing in early 1970's
created a need for personnel trained in the utilization of remote sensing
technology. The IIRS was then merged with the National
Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA)] in July 1976. This is now renamed as NRSC. |
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COURSES OFFERED BY IIRS |
The next decade saw the
emergence of remote sensing as a powerful tool for natural resource survey
and management, and in 1980 the NRSA was put under the umbrella of the
Indian Government's Department of Space. The main focus of the IIRS is training and education in the field of
geoinformatic. Technology and applications of Remote Sensing, GIS and GPS
are taught in the form of training and education at various levels
(decision making level to working level or fresh post graduate level). |
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Certificate courses Specilised courses P G Diploma course |
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NRSA - Training at NRSA, Balanagar:
NRSA [now known as NRSC] has organized training activities to train professionals, scientists as well as decision makers on Remote Sensing and GIS. A dedicated training center, Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, located at Dehra Dun gives PG Diploma course of 10-months to 4-days decision makers courses. The NRSA Headquarters at Hyderabad has a Training Division, which organizes similar training courses as well as custom made courses. NRSA has collaboration with ITC, The Netherlands for training. NRSA is a one-stop center for all the users for remote sensing data solutions. Main courses can be categorized as... ________________________________________ (...Read on)
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Listing of all GIS courses in India:
Learn about all Certificate/Degree courses from fundamentals to PhD levels.
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____FATHER OF GIS___ __  __Dr. Roger Tomlinson, generally recognized as the "father of GIS," is known as a visionary geographer who conceived and developed GIS for use by the Canada Land Inventory. His pioneering work, beginning in the early1960s, changed the face of geography as a discipline and he was awarded an ... Read more |
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| .spatialhydrology.com/freedownload.html |
 Go for a detailed reading on GIS and Remote Sensing LITERATURE 1 LITERATURE 2 _____________ On USGS site
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