[13349] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Re: GIS Software Installation
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Bill Kneedler)
Fri Jun 9 20:03:26 2000
Date: Thu, 08 Jun 2000 17:54:07 -0700
From: Bill Kneedler <bkneedle@LIB.CI.PHOENIX.AZ.US>
In-Reply-To: <NDBBINFOCLMMPLPJHMHJGELOCCAA.jbutler@plch.lib.oh.us>
To: PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU>
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When GIS first surfaced at our IT department several years ago, there was
much enthusiasm for doing what you describe. However, upon examining the
user interface more closely, our public services staff found that in
Phoenix's system, the most useful information was available only through
the higher-end member of this product suite, ArcInfo, which has a longer
learning curve.
The assessment was that if we proceeded at that time, the best approach
would be to do some add-on work to ArcView 2 in order to create some more
user-friendly ways of accessing and displaying info. that users would
typically want. At the time, there was no budget for the additional work,
and ArcView 2 was not yet in general release. The alternative would have
been to devote staff resources to relatively extensive training that this
staff did not believe it could afford to provide without adversely
impacting other services. I should point out that, compared to most
libraries, Phoenix is thinly staffed for the population it serves, so this
comment may not apply other libraries. Another caveat is that the main
interest was to access data generated by the City of Phoenix, meaning the
data were City-specific. It could be a different kettle of fish if the
Library had been talking about accessing canned data provided by the
software manufacturer.
It is my understanding that the IT department is developing a Web front
end for its GIS, so we are in a holding action until the Web front end
becomes available.
So it seems much depends on what kind of data you wish to access, analyze,
and display; where and how it is stored; and how it can be accessed and
analyzed best.
On Thu, 8 Jun 2000, Joy Butler wrote:
> <This has been posted to several lists please excuse cross-posting>
>
> We have recently received GIS (Graphical Information Systems) software
> through a grant. We plan to deploy this software to a station in our main
> library for patron and staff use. Does anyone have experience installing
> and setting up a public access machine for this product? I am looking for a
> general idea of what's involved in installation. I've read articles that
> explain the use of the software but haven't yet found anything that really
> gets into detail about the time involved in installation, what other
> libraries have done, tips and tricks and whatnot.
>
> The software received is: ArcView GIS, ArcView StreetMap, ArcUSA 1:2M,
> ArcWorld 1:3M, Digital Chart of the World, ArcAtlas:Our Earth. I have been
> asked to estimate how much time it will take to install the software for
> this system (17 CD-ROMs worth) and what time would be involved in
> maintaining the system. We plan to use a Compaq Deskpro EN P450 machine
> with 64MB of Ram and a 21" monitor. I am not sure whether a laser printer
> or a plotter has been purchased yet for this system.
>
> Any information would be greatly appreciated
>
> Thank you,
>
> Joy
>
> Joy Butler - PC Applications Specialist, Information Systems
> Email: jbutler@plch.lib.oh.us
> Phone: 513-369-3188
> Fax: 513-369-4565
> The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County
> 800 Vine Street, Cincinnati OH 45202-2071
>
// Bill Kneedler E-mail: \\
|| Library Info. Systems Manager bkneedle@lib.ci.phoenix.az.us ||
|| Phoenix Public Library ||
|| 1221 North Central Avenue Public Access Catalog: ||
|| Phoenix, AZ 85004-1867 pac.phx.lib.az.us OR ||
|| TEL: (602) 262-4799 pac.lib.ci.phoenix.az.us ||
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