Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
The same features from Figure 1.14 shown without any cartographic representa-
tion.
mation is usually presented as maps, but tables, figures, and hybrid output
forms are also legitimate output forms. Geographic information is what is
used in GIS. Data is what information is before it is used and makes sense to
the persons creating or using the geographic information or map. Earlier in
this chapter, I compared geographic information to oxygen. Now, starting
there, you can think of one of the effects of information: information has at
least the potential of having an effect. Data may sit in an archive for years
and years—never having an effect until someone looks through the data,
makes sense out of it, and “converts” it to information.
Geographic information is not data. Data can become information, or
may have been information, but it is only the raw recording of measure-
ments used for creating information. To become information, it must be put
into relationship with a purpose (or purposes) and (potential) use. Data can
simultaneously be information and data for two or more people, if one per-
son uses it unchanged as information and another uses it as the basis for cre-
ating information. In other words, one person's data is another person's
information. How do we know? Apply the sense test. If what you see, regard-
less of its form, makes sense, it is information because sense, or meaning,
only comes if the thing you see has an effect; if it doesn't make sense, it is
just data. Of course, this only means it makes sense for you. Making the same
sense for others is a much harder, but more important, test.
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