Geographic Information Systems Demystified

Most GIS titles focus on the geography end, so it's refreshing to see an analysis which focuses equally on business applications of GIS results and strategies, coming with the authority of a member of the American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, American Geophysical Union, and the New York City Chapter of Geographic Information Systems and Mapping Operations.
---Midwest Book Review, November 2006

Table of Contents:

Introduction ?A Definition of Geogrpahic Information Systems. Poincar?s Maps and the Move Toward GIS. Old Technology, New Platform. The GIS Mystique. About this Book. The Books Approach to GIS Concepts. Our Goal to Demystify Geographic Information Systems.

Part 1: What Is a Geographic Information System? From Geographic Data to Geographic Information.

How Does a GIS Work? ?The Fundamental Flow of Information. Geography and Geographic Data. Georeferencing. Queries: Locations and Attributes. Geoprocessing. Spatial Analysis. Geographic Information.

Why Use a GIS? ?Discerning Your Need. Common GIS Products and Bi-Products. Data Management Systems. Quality Assurance, Six Sigma and GIS. Geostatistical Analysis. Project Visibility and Popularity. Benefits, Cost-Savings and Automation.

The Structure of Geographic Data ?Raster and Vector. Feature Geometry. Image Structures. Attribute Tables and Indices. Topology. Generalization. Conclusion.

Geospatial Metadata ?What is Metadata? Geospatial Metadata and GIS. Metadata Schemata, Element Sets and Syntax. Geospatial Metadata Standards. Executive Orders #12906, 12951 and #13286. The National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI). Geospatial Metadata Clearinghouses and Publishing Resources.

Part 2: Geodesy, Earth Models and Coordinate Systems ? Understanding the Core GIS Environment.

The Basics of Geodesy and Scale ?What Is Geodesy? Understanding Map Scale. Simple Map Scale Calculation. Scale and Accuracy.

The Ellipsoid ?History of the Earth Model. Shape of the Earth. Mathematical Model of the Earth. Typical Earth Shape Calculation. Reference Ellipsoids.

The Horizontal Datum ?What is a Geodetic Datum? Primary Categories of Geodetic Datums. Standard Horizontal Datums. Horizontal Datum Transformation Models. Horizontal Grid Transformation Methods.

The Vertical Datum ?Mean Sea Level and The Geoid. Standard Vertical Datums. Vertical Datum Transformation Models. Vertical Grid Transformation Methods.

The Map Projection ?The Physicality of the Globe. Transformation from the Globe. What Is a Map Projection? Choosing a Map Projection. Types of Map Projections (Properties). Classifications of Map Projections. Distortion and the Indicatrix.

The Coordinate System ?What Is a Coordinate System? The Story of Latitude and Longitude. The Cartesian Coordinate System. Groups and Systems. The State Plane Coordinate Systems. The Gauss-Kruger Grids for the Eastern Hemisphere. Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM). Coordinate System Implementation in GIS.

Part 3: GIS Applications and Environments?Geographic Data for Analysis and Presentation.

Thematic Mapping ?The Need for Thematic Mapping. Manipulating Thematic Layers. Types of Thematic Maps. Map Essentials: Data, Classification, Portrayal and Distinction. Common Cartographic Elements.

GIScience, Engineering and Related Applications ?Using GIS for Technical Applications. GIScience: Principles and Applications. Engineering Applications. GIS Business Planning: Applying GIS on Technical Projects. Marketing and Financial Applications.

GIS and the Environment ?Using GIS for Environment Applications. Managing Natural Resources. Environmental Investigation and Remediation Applications. Shoreline Management Systems. Other Environmental Applications.

GIS and the Public ?A Public Need for Information. Managing Public Health and Safety. Disaster: Planning, Response and Recovery. Transportation and Information. Homeland Securitys Third Eye. Public Education Applications. Redefining Public Policy.

Getting Started with GIS - Environments, Tools, and Data ?/span> Getting Up and Running?with GIS. Leading For-Purchase GIS Environments. GRASS and Other Free GIS Environments. GIS Component Software. Geospatial Data Clearinghouses.

Afterward: Geographic Information Systems ?The Future of this Growing Technical Revolution.

Appendices ?Reference Ellipsoid Parameters. Worldwide Geodetic Datum.

Glossary. Bibliography. Index.