Post on 18-Jan-2016
Would a GPS Help?
Navigating STC GeographySiobhan Hanratty
Atlantic DLI Training, Acadia University, 28 February 2003
Five Questions to Find Your Way…
1. What Census and which product do I want?
2. What format do I need?
3. What themes do I require?
4. What geographical hierarchy do I need?
5. Which specific file do I need?Show me!
Where Do We Start?
Geography is not yet on the web
Start on the ftp site
ftp.statcan.ca
/geography/census2001/
1. What Census & Product do I Need?
Spatial(This is where the gems are)
Chose a product subdirectory
/geography/census2001/spatial/…
AttributeCARS
Concordance
Documentation
Geosuite
Maps PCCF
PCFC
Census2001
Census1996
2. What Format Do I Want?
MapInfo ArcInfo
/geography/census2001/spatial/Arcinfo…
It’s a matter of choice…
what software is your patron using?
Spatial
3. What themes do I require?
Census Boundary Files
Road Network Files
Skeletal Road Network Files
Ecumene (Population density)
/geography/census2001/spatial/Arcinfo/CBF…
Spatial
ArcInfo
CBF RNF SRNF Ecumene
4. What geographical hierarchy do I need?
Which path do I take???
Spatial
ArcInfo
CBF
National Provincial CMA Extra
/geography/census2001/spatial/Arcinfo/CBF/provincial …
4. What slice of the geographical hierarchy do I
need? CANADA
PROV/TERR
CAR ERFED CMA/CA Non-CMA/CA
CD
CCS
CSD
DA
CT
Block
CMA CACT No CT
MIZ Terr.
DPL
UA Rural
/geography/census2001/spatial/Arcinfo/CBF/provincial /da…
Spatial
ArcInfo
CBF
NationalProvincial CMA Extra
4. What geographical hierarchy do I need?
ccs csd ct da
cd ccs cma ct csd da dpl fed er pr ua dpp
csd ct da
/geography/census2001/spatial/Arcinfo/CBF/provincial /da/gda_13b02.zip
Spatial
ArcInfo
CBF
Provincial
5. What specific file do I need?
ccs csd dact
Gda_10b02.zipGda_11b02.zipGda_12b02.zipGda_13b02.zipEtc.
Now What?
Thanks, but that was a lot more confusing than I thought it would be!
Why don’t I just get a DMTI census file from UT? I’ve heard they are easy to use…
Oh.
Yikes!
Wow.
I need a moment…
Okay, Tell Me More…
DMTI+ Project files (.apr)
available; ArcView-ready+ Individual files come as
shape, no need for importing
+ 96 Census boundaries are paired with Census tables in .dbf format, ready for joining to spatial files
- Bundling is still a “challenge”
Alternative route: IDLS
STC+ STC spatial data
only; census geo rocks!
+ STC Documentation is at your fingertips
- Organization still chaotic
- Tables still have to be tweaked before merging
Is It Worth It?
You bet!
It gives research an entirely new dimension and, though there is new language, you still have two feet on the ground at all times.
We promise!
Making a Sandwich
Where in the world are we and is that really PB over
there?
GIS is really about…
Where…What…
&
Location:
e.g. Latitude & longitude
X
Attributes:
Palm tree cover, old growth, near Joe’s oasis
Sounds Simple! Let’s Go!
“Now, just hold on to your shopping cart,
missy!”
GIS is Much, Much More!
•Data networks
•Technology (software, hardware)
•Data creators
•Institutional arrangements
•Policies and Standards
•Spatial Data
•Metadata
•Users
GIS
In
frastr
uctu
re
“What” can be any spatially-referenced entity or phenomena.
This means that a project can get out of control very quickly….
Why You Want More Lessons
Especially if you don’t use the standard or compatible scale, data
and projection in your project.
Why You Want More Lessons
Imagine a sandwich in which everything imaginable including drano was added in random order, dropped at heights varying from two inches to 30,000 feet (yuck, the pickle just came through the roof and onto the kitchen table---sort of), the mayo ended up in the living room and the bread in the backyard, and the chicken—well someone forgot to cook it.
So Start Gently!
Your first map doesn’t have to be that kind of disaster.
We’re going to take a look at one concept today—layers or themes of a map. It is a great concept to see in action and will really help with the reference questions you get!
You begin with an idea…