Geographical Information Systems at the Recreational and Social side

Geographical Information Systems have brought the outdoorsman to technology. Many forms of recreation are now used with GPS and other mapping devices. From their old days of maps and compass many have gone to the new technology of GPS and thrown away the old. Today, there are recreation activities that have been designed solely around using the GPS. Geocahiong a beefed up version of hind and go seek mixed with treasuring hunting and computers has a large number of participants worldwide. To explain the game: the hider, places their cache in some hidden, no conspicuous location, records the locations' coordinates with their GPS and then logs it into an internet site for crazed geocahers to go find. Beyond the sport of Geocahing , games have been invented for the specific use of the GPS (http://www.utahgeocachers.com/games-local.php).

Wherever you might be, either you yourself or another person nearby is using a GPS device or Map system from their phone. Many people use GPS devices to make driving an easier task. With a mobile application called "Dodgeball" you can see if you have any friends within ten blocks (Levy, 2004). With all this technology changing daily personal life and the business world one could wonder how this came to be that we could have such ease to finding locations though just googling a zip code a store name and seeing exactly where we need to go. This technology was coming to life in the 1960's and it was a great factor in helping decide where to place ski runs in Utah (Levy, 2004).

Without a doubt Geographical Information Systems have changed how the middle class moves from point A to point B throughout their day. Indefinitely the GPS has brought not only valuable information, but as well fun filled recreation times. Now consider to yourself about beginning your very first geo cache. If you don't have a GPS find someone who does and begin your new recreational hobby today. And don't forget the Geographical Information Systems next time you use MapQuest or Google to find directions.

References

Levy, S. (2004). Making the ultimate map. (cover story). Newsweek, 143(23), 56-58. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=buh&AN=13241522&site=ehost-live&scope=site