Chapter One:Â
Web GIS is a modern way of creating, storing, and sharing maps by using the internet instead of keeping everything on a single computer. This allows users in different locations to access the exact same data, tools, and maps at the same time. In the past, only one person could use the information at once, and if data needed to be shared, it had to be downloaded and sent out manually. Any changes required resending the updated version. Now, information is stored in the cloud, so everyone sees the most current version in real time. Web GIS includes many helpful features like layers, map tiles, images, and real-time data that can be added directly to maps. There are many options within these features depending on what is needed for the project. People can open and use these tools on computers, tablets, and even phones, making access much easier and more flexible. Web GIS also allows data to be accessed without distance being a limitation, giving it a global reach. It supports a large number of users, has a lower cost per user, is easier to maintain, and works across many different platforms. Because of these advantages, more businesses, organizations, scientists, and even everyday individuals are using Web GIS to collect and understand data. Cloud computing plays a big role, and its usage grew a lot during COVID-19 when data needed to be updated quickly and viewed by many people. The system also focuses on strong user security. Technology for Web GIS continues to advance, improving from early closed websites to open systems that support two-way communication. Many available apps allow spatial analysis while still sharing similarities like basemaps and layers. Users can also attach extra information to points or locations, helping them better interpret and understand the data they are working with.
Chapter Two:
GIS is about smart mapping and storytelling. This makes the GIS software easier for everyone to use. This chapter focuses on how smart mapping helps people to create clear maps and how things are automatically suggested such as color, symbols, and styles based on the map one is creating. This helps the user to create the map quicker and shows the patterns such as amounts, categories, and the relationships shown without someone having expert skill level in them. This chapter also talks about the different hosted layers which are web feature service, vector tile, tile, tile service, scene, layers, and map image. They also have features such as from existing templets, your own data, or empty. these can be used in many different ways and even at the same time. Once a hosted layer is updated every connected map also updates at the same time. This helps to keep everyone’s data current. Storytelling is also a huge component it allows for combining maps with text, images, and videos which can help to explain a pattern or place and why it matters. This then turns the maps into stories that help people to understand the data and to resonate with the information. WebGIS makes it very easy to share these maps and the stories that go along with it very easily through the internet and can be viewed through many devices.