GIS - Geographic Information System
A system of hardware, software, and procedures for drawing and analyzing maps and data referenced by spatial or geographic coordinates. Becoming a standard for government projects.
Key characteristics are the support of overlays on maps and links to databases.
What Is GIS (pdf) at www.gis.com
FAQ's at www.census.gov/geo/www/faq-index.html,
Software overview at http://freegis.org/.
News Group comp.infosystems.gis is also available at Google Groups
GIS Software
- ArcGIS from ESRI is the dominant vendor with a package of programs including ArcView, ArcEditor, ArcInfo, ArcGIS Engine, ArcReader, ....
It has a steep learning curve.
ArcReader is a free download that runs on Windows 2000 SP3 - Vista and several Linux and Solaris systems.
- Autodesk AutoCAD Map 3D is a GIS package from the makers of the top Computer Aided Design software package.
Good for incorporating scanned imagery.
- Intergraph GeoMedia is used on government security and infrastructure applications.
- GE Smallworld is popular for communications, utility and public systems.
-
GRASS GIS (Geographic Resources Analysis Support System) Open Source
Has versions for Linux and Mac OS X
Lists at:
Software page at gis.com
ArcView from ESRI
GIS Vendors and Related Software Developers at www.geog.ubc.ca
Free GIS and CAD Software
See:
List of software vendors at the Census Bureau
GIS software resources at GISLounge.com
nj.gov/dep/gis/depsplash.htm
Terms
GID - Geographic Information System
NGS - National Geodetic Survey
SDTS - Spacial Data transfer Standard
See:
Mapping Glossary.
See Also:
Dictionary of Abbreviations and Acronyms in Geographic Information Systems, Cartography, and Remote Sensing from iFrance.com
Mapping Reference
Nautical Charting & Navigation at NOAA
Sources:
North Carolina GIS Technical Advisory Committee Position Paper
US Public Land Survey System (PLSS) - Township and Range
Return to Don's Home.