Lecture Notes for Clarke, K. C. Analytical and Computer Cartography

Lecture 1: The Computer and Cartography

Cartography and Mapping

• The map may be the oldest form of human communication.
• Cartography is young because it is a discipline that has been subjected to a series of revolutions in innovative technology.
• Special impact of the digital computer
• Cartography in a state of almost constant technological revolution.

Computer Cartography

• Tools and methods
• Skills
• Specific to technology
• Latest (current) tool is the computer.

Analytical Cartography (Tobler, 1976)

• return to historical and mathematical roots
• basic principles of cartography
• Examples: computational geometry, map projections.

New Technologies: Stages of Adaptation (Morrison, 1980)

• Reluctance to use
• Replication of Previous Technology
• Full implementation
• Impact upon organizations

History of Computer Cartography

Tobler (1959) "Automation and Cartography"

• Map-in, map-out.
• Devices barely existed. CRT, digitizers.
• Initially, device specific code and new algorithms
• 1968 SYMAP at Harvard
  
  
• CIA CAM and WDBI and II.
• Realization of commercial value
• Device Control Improvements
  • Programming
  • CALCOMP, PLOT-10

Display Media

• Real and Virtual Maps
• Media beyond Paper

New Cartographic Problems

Application of the computer to entirely new problems

• Name Placement and Selection
• Maps from Images
• Integration with parallel fields
• Surveying
• GPS
• GIS
• Navigation
• CAD

The Impact of the Computer

• Time saving
• Accuracy (vs. precision)
• "faithful exact reproduction of all the errors involved in putting the original map onto paper.
• "fitness for use" criterion

Benefits of the Computer

• Increased output
• Decreased Cost
• Cartography no longer a service discipline
• Release from tedious tasks
• Refocus on map design (Design loop)
• Entirely new capabilities (e.g. color, animation)

Disadvantages

• Level of training
• Producer of maps vs. producer of tools
• Opportunity for misuse

General Trends

• Thematic Cartography
• Defensible Design
• New Symbolization Methods
• Change in education

GIS

• "automated systems for the capture, storage, retrieval, analysis, and display of spatial data."
• GIS display module is the user's first experience with cartography
• Has GIS killed cartography?

Last Change 3/31/97 Keith Clarke Copyright Prentice Hall (1995)