2012-02-07T00:00:32Z http://blog.entchev.com/comments/atom.aspx Quick Blogcast tag:blog.entchev.com,2012-01-25:15613528 atanas entchev http://blog.entchev.com 2012-01-25T21:42:07Z 2012-01-25T21:42:07Z It did for a former boss of mine who knew very little about GIS, but was very proud that his company offered "GIS mapping services". tag:blog.entchev.com,2012-01-25:15613510 Bill Dollins http://blog.geomusings.com 2012-01-25T21:28:14Z 2012-01-25T21:28:14Z It never has to me, but maybe I'm too close to it. tag:blog.entchev.com,2012-01-17:15552939 atanas entchev http://blog.entchev.com 2012-01-17T20:06:53Z 2012-01-17T20:06:53Z Thanks for your comment. The overall consensus seems to be that "GIS map" is not all that bad as an expression. tag:blog.entchev.com,2012-01-17:15551617 Ed Arabas 2012-01-17T16:40:03Z 2012-01-17T16:40:03Z Hmmm... GIS translates literally to geographic/geospatial information system, which is a mouthful but essentially means "map". Now, we all know that the advent of computers and database storage and management systems has changed the way that we approach the creation, evaluation, and publishing of maps, but at the end of the day "digital map" = "printed map". We can do things faster (both good and not-so-good), but the map product is the primary output. So for me, "GIS map" could imply that we have used the digital means at our disposal to create the image (on-screen or print) that folks generally understand to be a "map."<br /><br />For me, GIS map is nowhere near as bad as the other examples (NIC, ATM, and especially GIS system). And this is a long-winded agreement with Terry's post.<br /><br />Namaste. tag:blog.entchev.com,2012-01-16:15539751 atanas entchev http://blog.entchev.com 2012-01-17T02:36:53Z 2012-01-17T02:36:53Z But does "GIS map" imply that the map is somehow better? Fancier? More accurate? More up-to-date? tag:blog.entchev.com,2012-01-16:15534968 Bill Dollins http://blog.geomusings.com 2012-01-16T23:08:09Z 2012-01-16T23:08:09Z I don't have a huge problem with "GIS Maps." It is somewhat of an anachronism but, since maps can be made in different ways, it provides some minimal amount of information. At least you know it didn't come from CADD.<br /><br />As for explaining what I do, I also fall back on the Google Maps analogy. If I shoot for more details, the eyes glaze over. tag:blog.entchev.com,2012-01-16:15532548 atanas entchev http://blog.entchev.com 2012-01-16T18:58:00Z 2012-01-16T18:58:00Z I remember during one of Jack D's plenaries he was telling how he was on a plane and his fellow passenger asked him what he did, and JD said GIS, and the fellow said "Oh, yes, I know all about GIS" and how JD thought "He does not, but he thinks he does". This was over ten years ago, and I don't think things have changed much. People's eyes glaze over as soon as you mention database. So I stick with Google maps on steroids. tag:blog.entchev.com,2012-01-16:15532460 Terry Stigers http://wherewithal1.wordpress.com/ 2012-01-16T18:49:19Z 2012-01-16T18:49:19Z Actually, I'm okay with the redundancy of "GIS maps" (although it ain't necessarily so). My problem with the term is that it's awkward and not terribly descriptive. I think the idea is to make a distinction between maps that contain Geographic Information and 'ordinary' maps. By 'ordinary' maps, glove-compartment roadmaps and their ilk are implied. Of course, these maps contain geographic information, but they don't necessarily contain a geographic information SYSTEM, nor are they intended for use with geographic information science. <br /><br />I guess that my be the distinction - an 'ordinary' map helps me get around. A 'GIS' map can be used for analysis and interpretation of data. tag:blog.entchev.com,2012-01-16:15532349 Lucia 2012-01-16T18:42:38Z 2012-01-16T18:42:38Z In recent years we found it helpful to describe repositories of digital geographic information as 'GIS geodatabases' when speaking to audiences that do not work daily in the GIS world, but are familiar with GIS. This is not accidentally redundant, but intentionally redundant. We feel that the term geodatabase might scare some people. By adding GIS in front of geodatabase, people have told us it that at least they know it has something to do with storing GIS data. The same goes for 'GIS maps'. The term informs people of the technology used to produce the map. Not all maps (yet) are made with GIS. tag:blog.entchev.com,2011-07-25:11221193 Mayia Entcheva 2011-07-25T18:32:48Z 2011-07-25T18:32:48Z Always listen to your wife.