Yesterday, the CARPE DIGEM project, which is funded by Interreg Europe, had an interesting and very informing presentation from Daragh McDonough, IS Project Leader (GIS) and Broadband Officer at Donegal County Council (Ireland), who is also a Donegal Digital Partner, talked about the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) uses in Donegal. The GIS is basically a method of communicating through map graphics.  

Daragh started by showing us what the program is and what it does. He then explained the evolution of the program, since it was first created to how it is used now and the capacities it offers, which go beyond only showing maps. The GIS system has evolved over the years, starting in 1987 as a computer system for capturing, storing, checking and displaying data related to positions on earth's surface. Now it is described as a framework for gathering, managing, and analysing data that is rooted in the science of geography. The maps reduce the reading time for users and is a fully interactive 3D map.  

We also learnt about the complexity behind this program, the background tasks that are running for the GIS to work as efficiently as possible and doing so by collecting data, translating data and processing data… It is only now, with modern technology that GIS has been able achieved this.

The possibilities are endless for the GIS when it us used to give the public information which is done in easy, specific and clear ways. This can be seen where the program has been used to develop surveys that are not directly related to geographical maps.

Learn more about the CARPE DIGEM project.