Abstract Machine – Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for literary and cultural studies: ‘Mapping Kavanagh’

2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 17-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Travis
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Cultural Studies ◽  
Geographical Information Systems ◽  
Practical Work ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Abstract Machine ◽  
Epic Poem ◽  
Spatial Dimensions ◽  
To Come ◽  
Gis Software

Drawing upon previous theoretical and practical work in historical and qualitative applications of Geographical Information Systems (GIS), this paper, in Giles Deleuze and Félix Guattari's terminology, conceptualizes GIS as ‘an abstract machine’ which plays a ‘piloting role’ which does not ‘function to represent’ something real, but rather ‘constructs a real which is yet to come.’ To illustrate this digital humanities mapping methodology, the essay examines Irish writer Patrick Kavanagh's novel The Green Fool (1938) and epic poem The Great Hunger (1946) and their respective contrasting topophilic and topophobic renderings of landscape, identity and sense of place under the lens M.M. Bakhtin's ‘Historical Poetics’ (chronotope) to illuminate GIS's ability to engage in spatio-discursive visualization and analysis. The conceptualizations and practices discussed in this paper reconsider GIS software/hardware/techniques as a means to engage subjects of concern to literary and cultural studies commensurate with the recent strong interest in the geographical and spatial dimensions of these cognate areas.

scholarly journals An interactive learning environment in Geographical Information Systems

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Cornelius ◽  
Ian Heywood
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Geographical Information Systems ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Interactive Learning Environment ◽  
School Students ◽  
Cd Rom ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Gis Software ◽  
Environmental Agencies

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are computer-based tools for the input, management, analysis, modelling and display of geographical data. GIS are applied in a wide range of organizations and disciplines, including central and local government, environmental agencies, transport planning and vehicle navigation, education and research, utilities management, resource management, and the financial and retail sectors. GIS is a field of constantly changing technology, and it has been recognized that GIS education needs to be more than a 'once in a lifetime' event (Muller, 1993). Consequently, GIS teachers have developed computer-based materials for learners at all levels, from school students to postgraduates, and for the independent professional updating their skills and knowledge. To date, these materials have followed a number of approaches. Initially demonstrations of GIS software and its capabilities addressed the need to increase awareness of GIS and its applications (DoE, 1987). Arcdemo (Green, 1987) was an innovative early example, providing a demonstration of the software package Arc/Info online. Training in particular software, and the need for hands-on experience, have been addressed with the production of software-specific educational materials which use primarily traditional text-based instructions for exercises with specially prepared data. Examples include Getting started in GIS (Langford, 1993), the Unitar workbooks for Idrisi (for example McKendry et al, 1992) and Understanding GIS: the Arc/Info Method (ESRI, 1990). These have proved particularly popular, and by directing learners through structured exercises allow new users to become familiar with complex software in a relatively short time. More recently, they have migrated to CD-ROM, with training materials such as Getting to know Arcview (ESRI, 1995) provided in this format, and combining software, data and demonstrations.DOI:10.1080/0968776980060204

Selection criteria for archiving non-current data in land information system

CISM journal ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 255-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary J. Hunter
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Selection Criteria ◽  
Geographical Information Systems ◽  
Spatial Information ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Spatial Information Systems ◽  
To Come ◽  
Land Information System

An important consideration in developing a temporal component for spatial information systems lies in determining which data sets are worthy of archiving and which ones need not be retained after their currency ceases. For many natural resource and socio-economic based systems (often termed Geographical Information Systems), the choice is usually clear since certain historical data will usually be needed as the basis for longitudinal analysis. However in the case of parcel-based Land Information Systems (LIS) established for administrative purposes, the answer is not always so obvious. This is compounded by the difficulty in assessing what the likely value of non-current data, within this latter type of system, may be in the years to come and who the potential users might be. The purpose of this paper is to present and discuss the selection criteria which professional archivists use in making such decisions and to examine the application of these procedures in the context of LIS.

Geographical Information Systems

1997 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milco Wansleeben ◽  
Leo Verhart
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Geographical Information Systems ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Niagara River ◽  
Wind Chill ◽  
Gis Software ◽  
As If

It is one o clock in the morning of December 20. Buffalo is cold, five degrees below zero Fahrenheit with a wind chill of minus twenty five degrees. The Niagara River is frozen solid except at the Falls. Sounds travel far on these cold nights. I hear a loud crash as if the ice is beginning to crack. I fantasize about the spring and the ice breaking up into thousands of small icebergs that float down the river. Icebergs bring to mind GIS software. Like icebergs, GIS software is frequently attractive and even starkly beautiful. Yet GIS systems are sometimes foreign and can be very inhospitable. As in the case of those frozen fantasies, GIS software may look better from a distance than close up. (Zubrow 1990b, 184)

scholarly journals Mapping Zika virus infection using geographical information systems in Tolima, Colombia, 2015-2016

F1000Research ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfonso J. Rodriguez-Morales ◽  
Maria Leonor Galindo-Marquez ◽  
Carlos Julian García-Loaiza ◽  
Juan Alejandro Sabogal-Roman ◽  
Santiago Marin-Loaiza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Zika Virus ◽  
Geographical Information Systems ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Zikv Infection ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
Gis Software ◽  
And Control ◽  
Case Data

Objective: Geographical information systems (GIS) have been extensively used for the development of epidemiological maps of tropical diseases, however not yet specifically for Zika virus (ZIKV) infection.Methods: Surveillance case data of the ongoing epidemics of ZIKV in the Tolima department, Colombia (2015-2016) were used to estimate cumulative incidence rates (cases/100,000 pop.) to develop the first maps in the department and its municipalities, including detail for the capital, Ibagué. The GIS software used was Kosmo Desktop 3.0RC1®. Two thematic maps were developed according to municipality and communes incidence rates.Results: Up to March 5, 2016, 4,094 cases of ZIKV were reported in Tolima, for cumulated rates of 289.9 cases/100,000 pop. (7.95% of the country). Burden of ZIKV infection has been concentrated in its east area, where municipalities have reported >500 cases/100,000 pop. These municipalities are bordered by two other departments, Cundinamarca (3,778 cases) and Huila (5,338 cases), which also have high incidences of ZIKV infection. Seven municipalities of Tolima ranged from 250-499.99 cases/100,000 pop., of this group five border with high incidence municipalities (>250), including the capital, where almost half of the reported cases of ZIKV in Tolima are concentrated.Conclusions: Use of GIS-based epidemiological maps helps to  guide decisions for the prevention and control of diseases that represent significant issues in the region and the country, but also in emerging conditions such as ZIKV.

PROBLEMATIC ISSUES OF THE GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS USE IN SOCIO-HYGIENIC MONITORING AND RISK-BASED SUPERVISION

2019 ◽  
pp. 31-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Е.М. Studenikina ◽  
Yu.I. Stepkin ◽  
O.V. Klepikov ◽  
I.V. Kolnet ◽  
L.V. Popova
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Technology Implementation ◽  
Geographical Information Systems ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Electronic Library ◽  
Information Portal ◽  
Software Products ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Software Product ◽  
Information Systems Use

The paper considers the problematic issues of the geographical information systems (GIS) use in the sociohygienic monitoring (SHM). We analyzed scientific and practical publications on this subject that are freely available on the largest Russian information portal of scientific electronic library eLIBRARY.RU during 2014- 2018, which allowed us to formulate the principles of organization and requirements for effective operation of geographic and information systems in the socio-hygienic monitoring. An analysis of the implementation of these principles at the present stage of development for the socio-hygienic monitoring system is presented, the results of which were used in formulating priority tasks in the area of geographic and information technology implementation into socio-hygienic monitoring and risk-based planning of control and supervisory measures: to determine the necessary level of detail and an information list depicted on electronic maps for the implementation of risk-based control planning; to provide organizational and regulatory and methodological support for the hierarchical principle of GIS within Rospotrebnadzor operating on a single software product of domestic developers for organizations and institutions; to work out the need to combine GIS with similar systems of other departments involved in the data collection of social and hygienic monitoring (Rosstat, Roshydromet, Rosprirodnadzor, Ministry of Health, etc.) to enable automated data export and import; to solve staffing issues to ensure customization and subsequent GIS operation; to provide budget funding for the purchase of licensed software products for GIS in SHM, preferably of Russian developers.

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