Chapter 5:
I found Chapter 5 of GTKWGIS very interesting. It touched on some very important Web GIS features, including raster tile layers (which deliver maps as image files in the PNG or JPG format) and vector tile layers (customizable data that delivers maps as grouped vector files in the PBF format). The chapter’s tutorial also has a great guide on how to use them effectively to create a web map, which was very helpful.
The chapter also talked about ArcGIS Enterprise, which is a variation of ArcGIS Online. While it has some key differences, it includes several configurations, such as on-premise and online/cloud availability.
Application:
One application I can think of based on the content in Chapter 5 would be an environmental conservation organization comparing a vector and raster tile layer of the same forest to track deforestation rates across (for example) a 20 year time interval. The raster layer would be the older layer of the two, due to the fact that raster layers are more static/unchanging than vector layers.
Chapter 6:
I thought Chapter 6 of GTKWGIS was quite interesting, as it discussed some more real-life uses of Web GIS that I could be implementing in my final project. The chapter went over Web GIS features like IoT (a network of physical objects embedded with sensors and network connectivity that allow these objects to connect and exchange data) and ArcGIS Velocity (a real-time GIS product that provides real-time analytic features, feed items and big data analytic items.)
The chapter also went over ArcGIS Dashboard, which provides a comprehensive view of the resources and systems you are using. It integrates web maps and a variety of data uses to provide you with the best overview of your project. This includes charts, lists, and indicators that can update automatically if need be. One question I did have about this feature is whether AI could be successfully integrated into the model, to allow for the production of predictive analytics based on previously seen data.
Application:
One application I can think of for these functions would be a researcher using IoT to track an endangered bird species in their natural habitat or a national park. The IoT could track migration patterns, bird rates as well as mortality rates over a long period of time.