A Geographic Information System as a technical operation exists
within a framework of social and institutional arrangements. It
has long been apparent that many of these arrangments deserve
as much care in designing an effective system.
There are many models for the institutional arrangments around
a GIS, and these models have been changing rapidly. In particular,
there are substiantial differences in how data development has
been funded at different levels of government in different places.
The connection between society and technology is a subject of
substantial research, with direct bearing on the practice of GIS.
This discussion event will provide support for the individual essay that is a part of the Project assignment due on 10 December.
Each student is responsible to write a distinct (individually signed) component investigating ONE of the data sources used in your project. This section will identify the original source of your data, any intermediaries and transformations they may have performed, and the custodian from whom you obtained the data. (This can be considered a "chain of custody".) Consider questions such as the "mandate" of each organization, their level of resources available (budget, personnel, equipment), and the approach they took to measurement and representation. This should be a 1-2 page essay that will receive a weight of 5% on the total course grade.
Agencies that are likely sources:
US Government
US Geological Survey (Mapping Division now called Geography)
Full details are contained in two reports (dated 30 November 2001):
Fish and Wildlife Service
Natural Resources Conservation Service (used to be Soil Conservation Service)
For comparison: some other countries:
Who is going to pay for it?
State Agencies
County Government
Municipal Government
City of Seattle Common database content; available data; ; ordering data; FAQ with a few prices; standard CDs.
Pro: National Map places this in the hands of USGS
Anti: Responsibility must be shared, lower levels of government have a greater stake in accuracy, completeness and updates....
Pro: National Map presents this as a free, universal service
National Wetlands Inventory; overview.
for something more cosmic: Digital Earth.
Anti:
Each student is responsible to write a distinct (individually signed) component investigating ONE of the data sources used in your project. This essay will identify the original source of your data, any intermediaries and transformations they may have performed, and the custodian from whom you obtained the data. (This can be considered a "chain of custody".) Consider questions such as the "mandate" of each organization, their level of resources available (budget, personnel, equipment), and the approach they took to measurement and representation.
This should be a 1-2 page essay that will receive a weight
of 5% on the total course grade.