Collaborative Cartography

Collaboration is always a powerful tool no matter what you are doing so long as its done correctly. Working together with a large group offers all different kinds of insight and feedback on projects. I don't know if its the same thing but at least the same concept has been our peer review sessions. Something that looks OK to you might in reality may not be working at all. It might hurt the pride a little bit but knowing what others think is pivotal in producing quality products. Not just the negative feedback either. Positive feed back lets us know what we are good at and it makes you feel good. Another aspect of collaborative cartography is that it makes large scale products seem possible. I mean take for instance the production of a work like an atlas. This task would be nearly impossible for a single person to complete, at least under any kind of set time frame. I Could actually imagine how an atlas could be ones life work like the one we often look at in class of Oregon. Its huge and contains so much data and text that for one person to make would be quite extensive. I still like creating my own work and being held accountable. Having your name on something that was difficult to create but tuned out excellent is a great feeling. On many occasions I have produced maps and been quite proud of myself. This is really no different from the pride you feel doing something independently. I guess my main point here about collaborative cartography work is that it still remains important to do your own work that you base on your skills and some of the feedback or ideas you receive from partners.