The map I created above is the result of using the software ArcMap, which I believe is a great program for professionals. However, several pitfalls occurred during the time I was using. First of all, the connection with the file is pretty frustrating for me. I have never come across this kind of user-unfriendly software. The users have to connect the file on the computer themselves. It took me a long time to figure out how to connect to the file in my USB drive, which for me was not a happy experience. Moreover, it is a very complex software. Even though I had the tutorial with me, which is very long, it still took me a long time to finish the project. The ArcMap really is not a program for non-experts, who can use the Neogeography the user-friendly software. It took a lot time to learn the basic command to create a map. I cannot image how long it will take to good at it.
Despite the pitfalls of the program, the ArcMap really is a powerful tool to make a professional map. With its complexity, the software can do a lot of comparison, distinction, and other functions. After several hours of working with the tutorial, the map looks quite nice for me. However, I believe that what I know is just a small part of the functions in the program. The tool bars in the program is very useful and concentrating on creating a map, adding a legend or north arrow or scale bar is very easy with lots of properties user can change. Also, the layout view and data view are very functional. I can view the map with different view to decide what I want the map to be. Moreover, when working with details, data view gave me a clear view if the detailed data so that it is easy to make a change. Finally, in the end of creating a map, exporting the map was very efficiency with many different types of outputs I can choose.
The ArcMap is a powerful software for making a map. Even though, the pitfalls may give people some awful impression, it is very useful for professionals. With all the potentials, creating map focusing different research would be more efficient and precise. The project on ArcMap was a unforgettable experience, I really hope to get to know ArcMap more along the class.
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