As this has been my first post to the forum, and my first few weeks using Spatial Analyst I have the following observations:
1) It is very easy to produce a surface.
2) A 3d image of a surface is an impressive visual tool.
3) Non-technical executives value the impact of the image more than the validity of the result.
4) Any surface, because it is an interpolation, includes some degree of error.
5) There integrity of the result is limited by primarily, the expertise of the operator to select the most suitable parameters for the tool, and secondly the ability of Spatial Analyst to provide an appropriate tool for the topic (Elevation, Temperature, Value, etc).
6) It must be disconcerting for experts in this field to have such a powerful tool be made available to neophytes who wield this new tool with ignorance of the integrity of the result, especially when their work is readily consumed without question by those looking for the sizzle and not the steak.
7) Moving from Vector to Raster, is like putting an algebra instructor into a philosophy class. Where once they have been accustomed to dealing with cold hard facts, they are now faced with making judgements based on a comparatively subjective basis, and every decision they make introduces more and more chance of error into the solution. We have moved from discrete "right and wrong" to "better and worse". However, this uncertainty can be managed by applying a statistical methodology.
😎 Questions lead to answers, which lead to more questions.
Thanks.
