2.  GIS answers the question: Where  GIS helps to design and manage our resources and help improve our world.  Our world faces challenges: natural disasters, poverty, environmental degradation and etc.

3.  GIS can be defined as a system for entering, storing, manipulating, analyzing and displaying geographic or spatial data.  These data are represented by points, lines, and polygons along with their associated attributes.  Geographic data can be represented as 2 formats: 1) raster data that are stored in a grid or pixel format that is referenced to coordinate system (latitude, longitude) 2) vector or polygon data which uses a series of points (x, y) coordinates to define the boundary of the object of interest.

4.  Map projection and coordinate system: registering spatial data to the ground requires transforming data, recorded in digitizer inches, to some ground- based coordinate system.  A map projection is an orderly, mathematical system of parallels and meridians that allows us to flatten the earth only at the cost of one or more spatial attributes.  Common coordinate system: UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator), state plane coordinates, latitude-longitude.  Question: Why is this important?

5.  During 1950s, the quantitative geography was reinforced.  The introduction of statistical methods and computers, giving rise to analytical spatial analysis.

6.  In 1960s, a computer mapping program (SYMAP) was released.

7. Pen Plotter nowadays  Pen Plotter outputs actually resembling traditional maps, thereby initiating the era of computer –assisted cartography.

8.  During 1970s, digital cartographic files of boundaries and entities included topological information that enables them to be “intelligent” and subject to query.  1980s, the vast majority of GIS incorporate some generic RDBMS engine.  The software handles the geographic attribute data and allow access to analytical and computer mapping functions operating on digital cartographic files and the geographic database.

9.  Over 260 vendors offering services covering, digitizing, data conversion, consulting and specializing in a particular application domain, such as Trimble, IBM, HP, Microsoft, ESRI, NAVTEQ and etc.  How GIS helps to us to face the challenges, such as, natural disasters, poverty, environmental degradation?

10.  Idaho Falls Campus map: http://vmx115.mapserve.net/website/kgohMap/view er.htm http://vmx115.mapserve.net/website/kgohMap/view er.htm  Before making this map, what are the errors that we need to take in considerations?  http://www.xfrogdownloads.com/greenwebNew/pro ducts/products.htm http://www.xfrogdownloads.com/greenwebNew/pro ducts/products.htm  What can these 3D visualization tools contribute to GIS world?

11.  Cheetah Conservation Botswana a GSM collar from African Wildlife Tracking to track the cheetah (Nala)’s movement, a relatively recent development in satellite collars which works via the cellular network. The collar was programmed to send her location once every 12 hours.  With this tracking device and Google map, they were able to learn so much about Nala and her cubs with this new technology that wouldn't have been possible otherwise.  http://www.cheetahbotswana.com/tracking.php http://www.cheetahbotswana.com/tracking.php

12.  The greenbelt movement was founded 1977 by professor Wangari Maathai who is the first environmentalist to receive the Nobel Peace prize.  GBM began as a grassroots tree planting program to address the challenges of deforestation, soil erosion, and lack of water in order to support agriculture, ranching, commercial plantations and development.  Through the use of GIS technology, GBM can monitor and manage the rehabilitation process andn demonstrate that with commitment and hard work, these ecosystems can be restored.  http://greenbeltmovement.org/ http://greenbeltmovement.org/

13.  http://maps.yahoo.com/broadband#env=a http://maps.yahoo.com/broadband#env=a  http://maps.google.com/ http://maps.google.com/  Google earth  http://www.maps.live.com/ http://www.maps.live.com/  http://giscenter- ims.isu.edu/Sisp/maps/viewer.htm http://giscenter- ims.isu.edu/Sisp/maps/viewer.htm