This guide on GIS is for the curious. It is for those who want to learn GIS concepts, use actual GIS software to obtain hands-on experience, and gain an insider's view of how GIS software operates. We have provided exercises, questions, and technical notes and animated demonstrations to help you.

The exercises are for you to follow using the GIS software and data which accompanies this Guide. Some of them have been animated.

The questions encourage you to use what you have learned to explore the other capabilities of the GIS software and learn new concepts.

The technical explanations probe deeper into the design and operation of the GIS software. They are placed at the end of the chapter.

The demonstrations are animated movies that are packaged independently but are designed to be used in conjunction with the guide. Some of them explain concepts, while others illustrate operations. They complement explanations in the text but often provide alternative examples.  

NOTE :  Demonstrations are based on the older version of GIS For The Curious.  Concepts of the demos are still basically the same for the new version and may provide you with some help.  New demos will be available at a later date

 

Many GIS concepts are covered, and a survey of them is provided at the end of this Guide. When you encounter a new concept while going through the text, you might want to relate it with others by consulting the Chapter 51 A Survey of Concepts.

You can use the guide in conjunction with the accompanying software or you can read it by itself. We have designed this guide to be used more than once. During the first time, follow the text and the exercises to build up the necessary concepts and skills to operate the software. Run the demonstrations to supplement what you have read. You might then read the guide by itself and find that you have a much better grasp of the concepts the second time after you have gained experience using the GIS software. When you are familiar with the concepts and the software, explore on your own to discover the vast world of GIS.

 

For more information about GIS for the Curious, please contact either:

Y.C. Lee

CARIS