ArcMap was a surprisingly simple software program to get used to. Not only is it capable of mapping different factors of interest, one could easily put the information into graph/table form just as easily as with other software, such as Excel. This lab allowed me to map out various aspects of a proposed airport expansion, ultimately granting me the opportunity to learn how to use this complex, yet surprisingly user friendly program. This program is a dream for anyone interested in creating a map. Professional urban planners could use this to map out projects as shown in the lab, and the everyday individual could use it to map something they deem useful. It gives people the power to share spatial information in a relatively simple method.
However, this simple method of sharing information also poses a threat. Though it is a great tool for planning, it is just a model. As such, the computer generated map should not be the sole source of information used to make a decision. After all, no matter how great a computer program is, the Earth is complicated. Therefore, a pitfall of this software is that people may become too dependent on it, when in reality, people should use this as one of many tools (others could be actual geographical surveys),
Another potential pitfall of the program is the fact that it is a piece of software. As with any other piece of software, this program could develop bugs and fail to work properly without any warning. It could also decide to crash for no reason and lose lots of information. However, even with this possible risk (as with any software), ArcMap is a powerful tool to show how a potential project may affect a city, as well as many other things that relate to the world of geography.
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