Week 4: ArcGis

          First-time users trying to use ArcMap will most likely find themselves lost in the multiple toolbars, numerous buttons, and infinite possibilities that come with the software. My first experience using ArcMap with the tutorial was like a blind man following a single rope through the city of Los Angeles. Blindly following the tutorial, I felt like I learned the most when I couldn't edit the "Schools" data frame and had to improvise, remaking the data frame with accessible data layers. And although the tutorial was rather lengthy, after only one run-through it was obvious that what the tutorial went through was only a scratch on the surface of all the possibilities of ArcMap.
          The complexity of ArcMap can be its downfall, especially for novices. There were so many tasks, tools, and toolbars that it was overwhelming. I found myself lost in all the buttons available, though I'm sure a well experienced cartographer could easily navigate through the numerous buttons. The only other major problem I experienced while using ArcMap was the lag time in displaying a data frame. While zooming in and out, and while panning through the map in a zoomed in view, there was some lag time in displaying the proper image. The panning tool was also difficult to use. I would click elsewhere on the map by accident and it would automatically focus on that point. I for one, found that annoying. Luckily, advancement in computer technology can easily minimize that lag time. The overwhelming complexity and delay of the software can be remedied with experience with the software and advancement in technology.
          Ironically, the great thing about ArcMap was also its complexity. Expecting a simple cartographic program, it was very surprising that ArcMap also entailed statistical data and spatial analysis as well as data editing. Data frame layers were not simple images, but held specific data as a whole and for each attribute. Amazingly, ArcMap was able to use the underlying data of each layer for editing and analysis. This aspect of ArcMap may have been the only good thing that I encountered while doing the tutorial but I'm sure that there are countless possibilities and vast potential to the software.
          The complexity of ArcMap is both its strength and weakness. ArcMap is a very thorough geographical tool. It has so much potential that I only know a fraction of. Its ability to analyze, edit, and carry underlying data is a profound tool. The downside is that the software can be a little slow and overwhelmingly complex. Multiple toolbars, numerous buttons, and unending number of tasks and possibilities can make the software difficult to learn and use.  ArcGis can be a powerful tool after first learning how to use it properly and efficiently.