Chapter 1- I learned that Web GIS is easily more accommodating than desktop GIS since it has global reach, low cost for users, large number of users, and better cross platform capabilities. Meaning that data transfer is easy to do among the users of web GIS. When it comes to web GIS “The Science of Where” is what it is all about, whether that be places on a map or data points within a summary GIS is able to do that. For example GIS is used in all sorts of fields; remote sensing, crowdsourcing, weather, 3-D visualization to name a few. Additionally this chapter explains how you can import data into the application rather than having to to through and type all of your data points one by one. Additionally much like with desktop GIS you are able to make legends and charts and other graphics that explain the dataset being represented. Symbology is another concept within this application that is the same as desktop GIS, which is always fun to be able to customize the symbols and really make the map feel like you have had your own spin on the data set.
Chapter 2- Chapter 2 is very quick to explain the use of feature layering and smart mapping, listing a whole list of different smart-mapping styles such as heat mapping, mapping based off of color and size, dot density maps, etc…, and it explains the differences and practical uses of these mapping styles. Pop-ups are another feature that existed in desktop GIS as well, but they show geographic information and insight just by clicking on the corresponding location Chapter 2 also gives the blueprint of GIS applications those blueprints consist of the base map, the information layers that qualify what the map is trying to show to the readers, and the tools in which you need to use in order to actually assemble the map itself.
Potential Application- A potential application that could be used with this information is a map showing how the polar ice caps have melted from year to year.