Chapter 1 was a great starting point for learning about Web GIS. It broke down how it’s used in all kinds of areas—like government, businesses, and even schools—which I thought was pretty eye-opening. One thing that really clicked for me was how easy Web GIS makes it to share data. Tools like ArcGIS Online let you pull together data, layers, maps, scenes, tools, and apps to build interactive maps that anyone can check out. That’s a game-changer compared to older GIS stuff I’ve messed with before.
The tutorials were super helpful, too. I got to play around with creating new items, sorting them into folders, and even adding images to popups—which I thought was honestly kind of dope. Publishing maps for everyone to see was surprisingly simple, and it made me realize how much more straightforward this is than the clunky desktop GIS tools I’ve tried in the past.
Chapter 2 dug into layers and how they bring data to life on maps. The smart mapping thing really caught my eye—it’s this cool feature that picks styles for you based on your data. Even if you’re clueless about map design (like me), it helps you make something that looks good and actually makes sense. I also got into popups and how you can tweak them with ArcGIS Arcade. It’s awesome because you can show info in popups even if the data doesn’t have a specific field for it. That flexibility feels like a big win. Then there’s Story Maps—I’m kind of obsessed with the idea. Mixing maps with text, pictures, and videos to tell a story? That’s such a fun way to share stuff, especially for projects where you’re trying to explain things to people who don’t know GIS from a hole in the ground.
After reading these chapters, I’ve got some ideas for projects I could try:
Delaware County Landmarks Map: For Chapter 1, I could whip up a map of cool landmarks or spots in Delaware County. It’d be perfect for tourists—think popups with pics, little write-ups, and maybe some history about each place.
Unused Agricultural Land Map: Tying into Chapter 2, I could make a layer showing agricultural land in Delaware County that’s just sitting there. Urban planners or eco-minded folks could use it to figure out how to turn that land into something sustainable.
Personal Story Map: I also want to mess around with a Story Map about my life. I could map out big spots—like where I grew up, went to school, or live now—and tie them together with notes and lines to show my story through places.