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Source: New Straits Times (page 59) Geographic information systems (hereafter abbreviated to GIS) are computer-based systems that are used to store and manipulate geographic information. This technology has developed so rapidly over the past two decades that it is now accepted as an essential tool for the effective use of geographic information.
GIS are sometimes considered a subset of other information systems like computer-aided design (CAD), computer cartography, database management and remote sensing. Many feel that GIS is simply a catch-all for almost any type of automated geographic data processing. These systems all predate GIS which, because they have evolved from them, have many features in common.
GIS, however, have a number of other features not available in other systems. The major characteristic of GIS is the emphasis placed on analytical operations, thus distinguishes the GIS from systems whose primary objective is map production.
However, GIS is not an entity that stands by itself solely. It covers and embraces disciplines that deal with concept dealing with space like geography, practical tools that gather and utilize spatial data like remote sensing, land surveying, geodetic science, theory and concepts that make GIS functional like computer science, statistics, software, artificial intelligence, countless applications of GIS like in forestry, urban and infrastructure planning, engineering and areas which give guidance about information like law and economics.
The recent and widespread introduction of the GIS has created a sudden need for users of geographic information to become knowledgeable about this technology. Managers within public and private organizations are being called upon to make decisions about the introduction of GIS technology and to establish policies for its use. Students and educators who use geographic information are gaining access to GIS technology that can be used to increase the depth and breadth of their analyses.
The technology has provided an exciting potential for geographic information to be used more systematically and by greater diversity of disciplines than ever before. The applications are diverse, for example: finding the coincidence of factors, such as the areas with a certain combination of soil type and vegetation, or the areas in a city with a high crime rate and low income level. updating the geographic information, such as forest cover maps to show recent logging, or updating land use maps to show recent conversion of agricultural land to residential development. managing municipal services, such as scheduling maintenance activities, notifying local residents of re-zoning applications, or assigning police patrol areas. land use planning with respect to the availability, cost and characteristics of land, including spatial criteria such as size and proximity can be combined with priority weightings in models that can identify and rank suitable areas for various land use options.
GIS clearly has enormous commercial importance and, more significantly, they are already being used to make valuable contributions to the understanding and solution of key socioeconomic and environmental problems.
In Malaysia, GIS are being used for an incredibly wide variety of applications. Various government and private companies has come to realize its potential such as Survey and Mapping Department, Prime Minister Department, local universities, Department of irrigation and Drainage, department of Environment, local municipal councils, Tenaga Nasional Berhad, Mekar Idaman, Gas Malaysia and many more. Due part to its youthfulness, GIS is rapidly being accepted as a part of information technology and its is future certainly looks very promising.
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