Winging the lab

Class 2, catching up on the lecture and all kinds of freedom for lab. I downloaded layers from the City of Asheville file and some from the buncombe county website. Some simple things took me a long time to accomplish because I couldn't remember exactly how to insert symbols and create new layers--I'd just been adding layers so far. Last semester was a loooong time ago. Anyway, I was trying to do a proximity map, similar to the landslides project last week, but got too caught up to finish. Here's what I have so far.

For some reason, I had a hard time figuring out where the parcels were located.

Josh was in class tonight--I was wondering if he was still in the class after missing last week. Nice to see him.

So, another long day, and I'm ready to head home. Music night at our house tonight, so I'm looking forward to a nice cold adult beverage.

See you next week. Same map time, same map channel.

I'm Baaaack

First day of GIS fun this semester and we've already made a map. Man, it was hard remembering how to DO some of this stuff. But I AM remembering how stupid this can make me feel. I really have such little experience with computers--just saving files and getting them into my map can be confusing. Am also remembering how much I like Pete as an instructor--very patient and helpful.

I didn't quite have time to add the legend because the insert function automatically uses the titles in the table of contents. The descrptive titles for the symbols would have been file names without being changed in the table of contents. Also, the scale needs tweaking a little bit, and if Id had more time, I would haave played around with the colors a little bit.

Only 5 of us in here, and only one new classmate. Was nice seeing familiar faces--especially my friend Edward. I'll have a tendency to rely on him for help--he's such a computer whiz, and I'm more like a computer whatsit. Hope he doesn't get too annoyed.

Also, I need to remember my flash drive next week.

I'm a little worried about all I have going on right now, too, and hope Ican devote the time I want to the class. I'm certainly in a time of transition. I think having GIS to focus on will be helpful.

So, here's the final GIS project for this semester's intro class. I'm glad I finally finished the map document, but I still have to finish the written report.

I'm going to miss seeing Edward every Wednesday night. I'm hoping we can get together for beverages once in a while. I was also glad to hear that Pete will probably teach the next class in the certification series, and it will be offered this summer in the evenings. Not sure I'll be able to swing that with work, but if not, I'll certainly try again in the fall. I sure wish I'd had more time to play around with the graphics. If I weren't so slow.... and if my computer weren't so s....l....o.....w.! Anyway. It was a great experience. I look forward to the next class.

Project map

Well, here it is. I've added all the layers I need and clipped to the watershed. I even color-coded the land use and labeled them in my context menu. I still haven't done any calculations, nor have I started the report. This weekend is the wildflower pilgramage, so I don't know how much time I'll have to work on it then. Plus, I'm working Wednesday for Debbie because of her surgery, so I won't have time then. But I think I did Ok on the test tonight, so if I can't get the final project as finally projected as possible, I'll be Ok grade-wise. I can't believe we only have one more class left. I've learned a lot, but still feel there's so much more to learn! Hopefully I can take the next class in the series, even if it's offered during the day. And hopefully Pete will get hired full time and teach the next class. Good luck on your interview tomorrow, Pete.

Watch out for grenades launched from M-16's.

Final Project, phase one

Didn't have much patience tonight for some reason. I still feel so clumsy navigating my way around. I get caught up and then forget simple things and my brain turns to mush. So I've added necessary data layers and Edward helped me unzip the street file. Here's what I have so far.

Well, that's just indicative of how the night has gone. There was an error uploading my image. I don't know what's going on with me, but I just can't seem to remember how to perform the simplest functions. And now I've learned that we have a test next week and we also have to write a report on the whole project thing. Which adds to the frustration of not being able to work on any of this at home. I'm so freaking slow and I hate feeling so stupid. I don't know when I'm going to find time to do anything. Arrrgh.

Did better than I thought on the exam, and I got my queries quiz back. I also practiced some spiffy editing, as seen in the uploaded image. Except, I guess all I exported from the map was this little corner of the street grid I made. Maybe I should open the file back up and export the entire projection. Stand by.

Ok. There's the mildly interesting roads I drew with the

tiny little green parcels and such.

I was exhausted in class tonight, running on empty since my bowl of granola and a banana at noon. Pete to the rescue with some Domino's delivered to the classroom! Thanks for the Pizza, Pete. Whatta guy.

I still really wish I had Arc software to practice with. It's frustrating only using some of these tools and applications just a few times. It would be so much easier if I could use it more and become more comfortable and familiar with everything. Anyway. I'm determined not to be the last one left clumsily plucking away at the keyboard tonight, so I got started early. Tune in next week for the next updated GIS experience.

So here's my new shape file of downtown Canton. The bright green line is the boundary I drew that delineates "downtown" Canton. Never knew there WAS one, didja? The blue is railroads and the red are parcel boundaries. I tried to follow roads and existing boundaries as best I could, but the information we had to go on was a pencil line on a xerox copy of the aerial photo that some lady in the planning department drew for Pete. "Welcome to the real world," he says.

Feel like I did OK on the exam tonight, considering how much of a slacker I've been. It could have been a lot worse--seems I lucked out on some guesses I made, but I should keep my mouth shut until he grades them. I don't want to jinx myself!

Poor Edward lost all the arduous tracing he did for his outline. I was right next to him and witnessed the moment of panic when digital technology determined his destiny. He pulled through it pretty well, and I plan to check blogs more diligently in the next week.

We also talked about the next GIS course being offered at AB Tech this summer--on weekday mornings of all times. Hopefully by then I'll be working for Equinox, but a morning class would still be hard for me to pull off.