science

MacChoro

MacChoro is a science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand MacChoro rather than just read about it. In short: MacChoro (pronounced MacKoro) was a computer program for choropleth mapping developed for early versions of the Apple Macintosh computer. A choropleth map shades areas, such as states or counties, to represent values and is mainly used for the mapping of statistical data.

Key takeaways

MacChoro belongs to science; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect MacChoro to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of MacChoro from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

MacChoro (pronounced MacKoro) was a computer program for choropleth mapping developed for early versions of the Apple Macintosh computer. A choropleth map shades areas, such as states or counties, to represent values and is mainly used for the mapping of statistical data. Released in 1986, MacChoro was the first computer mapping program to implement Macintosh's point-and-click user interface for the analysis and production of thematic maps. MacChoro II, released in 1988, was the first program to incorporate interaction in animated mapping.

Development MacChoro began to be developed in the Fall of 1985 on an Apple Macintosh 512K (Fat Mac) computer with a single 400K floppy drive. The programming language was Fortran, and the code was based on a choropleth mapping program that was developed on a Digital Equipment VAX computer. It had to be re-written to incorporate the mouse, pull-down menus, and dialogs.

Data Classification The program stressed data classification, and implemented six methods including unclassed, equal interval, quantile, natural breaks, standard deviation and user-defined. The unclassed method was limited to 16 shadings. Each of the remaining methods could be made with between 2 and 16 categories. Maps could be re-classified and displayed in a matter of seconds. The program was especially useful for comparing different methods of data classification.

Animation An interactive animation feature was added in 1988. A second version of the program, MacChoro II, placed a series of maps into memory showing different methods of data classification, different number of classes, or different variables. Once finished, the animated series of maps could be displayed at up to 60 frames per second. A dialog controlled the speed of display and provided access to the individual frames.

References Peterson, Michael P. (1995) Interactive and Animated Cartography. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall. Peterson, Michael P. (1994) Spatial Visualization through Cartographic Animation: Theory and Practice. Proceedings of Geographic Information Systems / Land Information Systems GIS/LIS 1994, pp. 250-258. Peterson, Michael P. (1993) Interactive Cartographic Animation. Cartography and Geographic Information Systems, 1993, Vol. 20, No. 1, 1993, pp. 40-44. Tobler, W. (1973) "Choropleth Maps Without Class Intervals?." Geographical Analysis 3: 262-265.

External links MacChoro Step-by-Step Part 1 MacChoro Step-by-Step Part 2

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with MacChoro

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what MacChoro claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to MacChoro before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about MacChoro ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of MacChoro

In research: MacChoro appears in science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses MacChoro in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: MacChoro is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Cartography, Visualization (graphics), so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for MacChoro outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study MacChoro in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what MacChoro means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain MacChoro out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is MacChoro in simple terms?

Why does MacChoro matter?

Because it connects several science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study MacChoro?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on MacChoro.