After attempting to complete this lab and experiencing ArcGIS for the first time, I have a much better understanding of the potentials and pitfalls of GIS. Perhaps the most apparent potential advantage of GIS is its availability, as anyone can go online and download the programs. Interacting with the program was a rather interesting experience, and the instructions in the tutorial were mostly easy to follow. Not too long after starting the tutorial, it was apparent that there are likely a great number of applications for ArcGIS that go beyond the relationship of airport land and sound contours. ArcGIS allows for the conveyance and display of information that can easily be understood by many people. If the information being conveyed is urgent in nature, for example the extent of damage of some natural disaster, GIS allows for a relatively quick data analysis and has the potential to be critical in certain urgent situations.
In conjunction with making information easily displayable to the general population, GIS encourages the sharing and spreading of information since it's part of a web 2.0 that is becoming more and more critical to society. Since almost anyone has access to GIS, and because it has applications in many different fields, including the sciences, engineering, and many more, it's easy to see why GIS would be an efficient medium through which to spread and distribute vital information. ArcGIS is only part of a rapidly growing network of geographic information systems which ultimately makes our lives easier and more efficient.
However, in addition to the various potentials of GIS and ArcGIS in particular, there are also a number of pitfalls and disadvantages. Although the programs themselves are widely available, the average person may lack the necessary computing skills that would make the GIS experience easier and more pleasurable. ArcGIS assumes the user has a certain knowledge of computers, even in the tutorial, and a person lacking these skills and knowledge may encounter some difficulty using the GIS. Furthermore, reliance on technology presents its entirely own set of potential problems. I experienced this when I was unable to retrieve the data I had saved on my flash drive when I tried to continue my work on the lab. Problems like these are exacerbated by a lack of computer knowledge.
As GIS is primarily reliant on technology and computers, another possible pitfall is compatibility. Since the world of technology is constantly evolving and improving, GIS must also keep up. Advances in computing warrant similar upgrades for GIS. This requires continuous maintenance for the creators and editors so that the programs run most efficiently.
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