Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
A favorite part of the application is that you can easily change map projects,
which provide some guidance on what projection works better for your situ-
ation. See more at: http://indiemapper.com/.
GeoCommons
GeoCommons is similar to indiemapper, but it's more focused on exploration
and analysis. You can upload your own data or draw from the GeoCommons
database and then interact with points and areas. You can also export data in
a number of common data formats to import into other software. See more
at: http://geocommons.com/.
ArcGIS
Before the previously mentioned mapping tools were available, ArcGIS was
the primary mapping software for most people (and still is for many). It's a
feature-rich platform that enables you to do just about anything with maps.
For most though, the basic subset of features is enough, so to avoid the hefty
cost of the software, it's probably best to try the free options first, and if those
aren't enough, try ArcGIS. See more at: http://arcgis.com/.
PROGRAMMING
Out-of-the-box software gets you up and running in a short amount of time,
but the trade-off is that you're using software that's generalized in some way
so that more people can use it with their own data. Also, if you want a new
feature or method, you need to wait for someone else to implement it for you.
On the other hand, you can visualize data to your specific needs and gain flex-
ibility when you can code. You're the one who tells the computer what to do.
Note: Learning to program can seem intimi-
dating at first because the code seems odd and
foreign, but think of it as learning a new lan-
guage. It's confusing at first, but when you're
fluent you can communicate your thoughts
clearly.
Obviously, the trade-off when you code is that it takes time
to learn a new language, but after you get over the learning
hump, the visualization process tends to move faster. It's also
grows easier to reproduce your work and apply it to other
datasets as you build up your library and learn new things.
R
R is a language and environment for statistical computing and graphics. It
was originally used mostly by statisticians but it has expanded its audience in
recent years. There are plotting functions that enable you to make graphics
with just a few lines of code, and often, one line can do the trick. Figure 7-5
shows examples of what you can do.
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