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| Environmental and Engineering Geoscience |  |
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1 INTERA Inc., P. O. Box 818, 137 2nd Avenue, Niwot, CO 80026
Imagine you are an alien—these authors ask of you—and you land here on Earth and you see a car...better yet, how do you explain a car to an alien? What does this have to do with Geographical Information Systems (GIS)?! I haven't a clue, nor do I have a better analogy than the one provided by the authors. Though at first annoyed by my new alien friend, I could accept the point the authors were making: GIS can appear complex, much like a car might appear to an alien. From software-specific jargon to complex networking and spatial analysis to getting a project done, implementing change, justifying costs, and working with various personalities toward successful GIS deployment and operation, the authors break the topic down and distinguish, with ease, the components of GIS. This book sheds light on the fundamentals of and current issues in GIS, including data types and analysis methods, computer modeling, data integrity issues, human/organizational issues, and GIS project design and management.
First published 1998, the second addition provides an update through 2002. I do look forward to continued updates of this work. These authors recognize that GIS is rapidly changing. The second edition covers additional topics and technologies, including internet mapping; data model advances and object-oriented data models; mobile-GIS; and more recent data sources like the population census, de-restricted GPS locations, and LiDAR. The second edition also addresses input and comments of users, students, teachers, and reviewers.
The authors take a top-down approach to help readers understand GIS, beginning with examples of GIS solutions for real-world applications. Although introductory in nature, it is not the intention of the authors to provide a lesson in any one GIS software package. Rather this book is intended for anyone wondering what GIS is and how it could be put to use answering practical questions. The book is divided into two parts: the first provides a discussion of the fundamental concepts and components of a GIS, including data modeling and analysis; part two is a discussion of the issues faced in developing a GIS, from data quality to organizational issues and project design and management. Whether you are or want to be a beginner user of GIS, an advanced systems-developer, a GIS project manager or IT specialist, or an individual looking for an answer to any spatial problem, this book is for you.
Each chapter begins with key questions and issues that are then explored within the chapter text. Boxes inserted throughout the chapter provide more details, clarification, or examples of the topics relevant to each chapter. Tables, figures, and colorful plates are clear and organized, helping to balance and illustrate the text. Each chapter concludes with revision questions and a section providing the reader with a list of relevant studies for additional research. Each chapter has an associated web page including online dictionaries and glossaries as well as activities for self-study and discussion and case studies exemplifying GIS solutions. The companion web site contains useful resources and information for students and teachers and includes a forum for providing feedback and placing orders.
This book is a quick and easy guide for the beginner and a valuable reference and refresher course for the intermediate and advanced GIS technical user and developer community as well as GIS project managers. There is something for everyone to learn in this book, however, authors assume the reader will have a basic familiarity with PC computing.
I wish this book and companion web site were available when I was taking my introductory GIS class. They are the product of the expert knowledge and dedication of meticulous educators. The authors not only master the concepts and theories of GIS, they master the ability to relay information to readers in an easy-to-grasp format. Even advanced GIS-ers can gain valuable insight using this book as a refresher course. This book is comprehensive and concise, covering a multitude of topics from spatial data modeling and analysis to project management and implementation. Yet somehow the authors leave me feeling that our alien friend now knows a whole lot more about cars and driving than I do!
REFERENCES CITED
Heywood, I, Cornelius, S, and Carver, S, An Introduction to Geographical Information Systems, 2nd ed., 2002, Essex, United Kingdom Pearson Prentice Hall. 295.
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