When speaking or writing about GIS all too often the concept in peoples' minds for Geographic Information Systems can be rephrased as "the software for map data". While software is integral to GIS, thinking of spatial software as the GIS is a narrow view, unnecessarily limiting our conversation and understanding.
I have some ideas about what the "system" in geographic information systems really means, which I'll throw into the punch bowl below, but let us hear yours first.
Secondly, is it too late to bring into public consciousness an expanded truer definition which will arise in answer to the GIS moniker, or do we need to find a new term to encompass it? if the latter, what do you suggest?
Answer
To use old "Introduction to ArcGIS 1" suggestions. GIS is built on 5 separate parts which work together in a seamless and cohesive way to allow the flow of data into information which can be used for decision making. These 5 parts are
- People
- Data
- Hardware
- Procedures
- Software
The idea I have is that this term does not need to be rolled out to everyone other than to explain how most of the Web Map Business Models we are seeing like Google and Bing are GES. Geographic Exploration Systems (a phrase I cannot remember the origin of but I think is apt). A GES differs in removing the People, Procedures and in some cases Hardware from the equation and giving a "one size fits all" solution to everyone.
These are just my ideas, and sorry for being so wordy
CDB
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