A. Starling's GIS Blog

                Module 2 in Computer Cartography gave us an opportunity to effectively employ appropriate typography methods to our maps. By utilizing ArcGIS Pro and the provided lab data, we were able to label several points of interest on the Florida peninsula. The Major Cities of Florida were labeled using the Label tool in the Labeling ribbon tab. We can label a few different ways - for cleaned classified data that has several “types”, right click the layer in the Contents pane that needs labeling and click Symbology. Choose “Unique Values”   in the Primary Symbology dropdown menu – this will provide a way to individualize points. To label those unique points, again highlight the corresponding layer in the Contents pane and click the Labeling tab in the ribbon. Choose instead to click the “Class” dropdown menu within the Label Class section and choose “Create Label Classes from Symbology”. I did this metho...

       Module 1 of Computer Cartography (GIS5007/5006L) focused on allowing us the opportunity to think critically about maps and map design. By choosing our own “well-designed” and “poorly-designed” map from outside resources, we worked through an evaluation of each to determine what really made a “well-designed" and “poorly-designed" map. I found this to be a great exercise in being able to understand what really makes a map “good”. A "well-designed" map:  Mineral resources of Jefferson County, Florida 1989 ( FGS: Map series 129 ) -  https://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00015040/00001/citation      This well-designed map ( Mineral Resources of Jefferson County, Florida - 1989 ) conveys a clear purpose without overwhelming the audience with information. It is concise and to the point. It exemplifies Tufteism #1: Graphical excellence is the well-designed presentation of interesting data – a matter of substance, of statistics, and of design . This map is al...

  Hello! My name is Abby Starling, and I’m currently in the GIS Graduate Certificate program. I started this program to move into a career shift, as I currently work for a county government doing more admin related items full-time. While my job is fine, it isn't what I envisioned - it is time for a change! Through this program, I hope to gain more understanding in GIS and form a solid foundation for a career in GIS. I took several GIS classes in my undergraduate Geology program at Valdosta State University, but am certainly no pro. In my free time, I always end up playing copious amounts of Stardew Valley.    Abby Starling's Story Map Links to an external site.