Thoughts - How Many Map Makers Visit This Site?
"A map is a simplified depiction of a space, a navigational aid which highlights relations between objects within that space. Most usually a map is a two-dimensional, geometrically accurate representation of a three-dimensional space." (Wikipedia Definition)
Based on the above definition...I make maps. Seems I am stating the obvious. But this obvious leads me to my main question for this post, "How many map makers visit this site?".
Prior to map making, I was a map user, a map admirer and a map skills teacher. Back in the early 80's, I worked in a map store, The Map Centre. It was a neat little store located in a seedy part of town, but known and visited by map-aholics from all over the world. Tommy and Cam Thompson were the owners of this wonderful retail enterprise. That was 25-years ago. Tommy and Cam have since passed away. The Map Centre still exists, but in a better part of town. And it is still a favorite destination for the paper map-aholic.
After my discovery of Marplot and after gaining the necessary skills to use a mapping program proficiently, I began to play at map making. Very simple maps with minimal layers of additional information constituted the bulk of my mapping. And then I discovered mapping gold - free Landsat ETM+ 2000 mosaics. I downloaded every mosaic that included shorelines - both continental coastal and oceanic. I worked more on my map making craft using various GIS programs, but always returned to Marplot (my first love).
Today, I have constructed over 140 unique island maps that consist of shorelines with additional layers of information. I have mapped extensive stretches of continental shorelines. My excitement remains unabated. I love the mapping process. I love the finished product. And I love sharing my efforts with genuinely interested visitors.
Do any of you pursue a similar map making passion? If so, share your journey with me and the other readers of this site. Map makers unite!
Enjoy!
Mr. Minton,
Just letting you know that a fellow map maker enjoys your site. Love the islands. Sometimes you can almost escape to them using your maps.
Lately I've enjoyed laying down various conservation data into Google Earth using KML, for work however, it is electric utilities and various ESRI products.
My 2 cents work:
I think the furture of GIS is 3d globe viewers with the ability to turn on layers such as your own facinating work. Open source, high resolution backgrounds, open source vector data (especially transportation), and most import, open source development, so we can open up GIS to everyone.
I've had a passion for maps for 25 years and the luck to work in the field.
Don't think that there is no one appreciating you work. We are out there.
Randy Horner
Posted by
Anonymous |
10/16/2006 05:21:00 AM