60
February 2018
PHOTOGRAMMETRIC ENGINEERING & REMOTE SENSING
BOOK
REVIEW
Finally, chapters 8 through 10 form the third section of
advanced or development topics. Chapter 8 discusses two
useful applications: how to access and monitor live data
in building an online operational dashboard, and how to
build an Android app to collect data. Chapter 9 explains
how to make 3D maps (scenes) available for web applica-
tions. Chapter 10 introduce some basics of JavaScript, the
programming language for ArcGIS API.
This is a timely publication that meets the increasing de-
mands in a relatively new field. The chapters are organized
in a logical manner that give readers a comprehensive intro-
duction to web maps using ESRI’s products. Its strong ties
to ESRI’s ecosystem in making maps available online and
the step-by-step instructions are straightforward to follow,
thanks to the author’s extensive experience in GIS training.
If a reader is already committed to ESRI’s products, this will
be an ideal book.
However, one must point
out that at a casual glance
of the title, a reader would
have an impression that
there are no other ways of
making web maps. In fact,
the author chooses to com-
pletely ignore the world of
free and open source ap-
plications, which does not
give the world of web GIS a
deserving introduction and
also appears to short sell the
importance of ESRI’s efforts
in trying to lead the indus-
try. Putting the book under
a more magnifying lens,
it seems that three small
things can make the book
more indispensable. First,
the introduction of back-
ground information in each
chapter is very useful. Such
material consists of about
a third of each chapter, but
are not listed in the table
of contents. It is sometimes
hard to comprehend these
pages as an organic part of
the chapter. Second, a lot of
concepts are introduced in
this book and a good index
will make reading a con-
structive experience. Third,
a book about maps (though
web maps) should also be an excellent source of good maps.
Cartographers even suggest that only good maps should be
provided (Brewer 2005). Some of the maps in this book may
need further explanation of how their symbolization (e.g.,
color, size, and labeling) is determined. Even though sym-
bolization of online maps is perhaps still at an exploratory
stage, some of the maps in this book should follow such a
principle. This is especially important for the intended au-
dience of this book, the professionals, who may not have
enough training in cartography and often tend to choose
whatever is default in the system.
Reference
Brewer, C.A. 2005. Design Better Maps: A Guide for GIS
Users. Relands, CA: ESRI Press.
ASPRS MEMBERSHIP
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