The Geographic Information Systems FAQ!

This is the index of frequently asked questions (FAQ) about Geographic Information Systems (GIS) along with answers to these questions. The FAQ is a resource of the comp.infosystems.gis newsgroup and the GIS-L mailing list, which are no longer mirrors of each other.

The most current version of the GIS FAQ is available at http://www.census.gov/ftp/pub/geo/www/faq-index.html

Index

1. Administration:
   • How do I get the FAQ list?
   • What is the difference between the newsgroup and listserv?
   • Can I post a commercial advertisement to this list/group?
2. Research and Universities:
   • What in the world is a 'GIS'?
   • What colleges and universities offer coursework in GIS?
   • What are the NCGIA anon ftp sites and what can be found there?
   • Where is that On-Line GIS Bibliography (and what's in it)?
3. Data Formats and Map Products:
   • What are the United States map accuracy standards?
   • What is the Vector Product Format and where can I get information?
   • What is this SDTS thing and is it available via ftp?
   • What is a DXF file and where can I get info about it?
   • What is DEM and where can I find out about some?
   • Where can I get information about TIGER/Line? I heard there is a terrific new and improved release...
   • How do I order USGS maps?
   • What is the Digital Chart of the World (DCW) and how do I get one?
   • Is there a package available to convert from UTM to latitude/longitude?
   • Does a file exists of lat/lons for US cities?
   • Where can I get old antique maps?
   • Is there a standard for representing latitude and longitude?
   • Has anyone compiled a list of standards and formats??
   • What is GeoTIFF?
4. Other Sources of Information:
   • What are some other related mailing lists, ftp sites and internet sources for useful resources?
   • Hey! But how do I subscribe to GIS-L, MAP-L, etc?
   • What are some books and magazines available on GIS?
   • Where can I get a copy of the SpatioTemporal Bibliography?
   • What professional organizations are out there for GISers?
   • What are some journal titles which carry GIS articles?
   • How can I subscribe to the Int'l Journal of GIS?
   • What are some World Wide Web URLs for GIS information?
   • Where can I find pointers to satellite data?
   • Are any mailing lists archived anywhere?
   • Can you recommend any other resource documents?
   • - Can you point me towards some on-line job resources?
5. Technobits:
   • - What are some algorithms for calculating the distance between 2 points?
   • What is GPS?
   • What can you tell me about map projections?
   • What's a map datum? Why are there so many of them?
6. Software Issues
   • What are e-mail and paper addresses of some vendors?
   • - What public domain or shareware GIS software is available and where is it?
   • Will GRASS run under LINUX OS on my PC?
   • How can I convert ARC files to IDRISI?
   • How can I convert ARC coverages to GRASS?
   • Where can I find some AMLs to look at?
   • How can I convert ARC files to some other graphics formats?
   • How do Arc/Info and Intergraph MGE compare?

+ indicates a new question.
- indicates updates.

Look at the whole FAQ.

GIS World Geospatial FAQ Columns (these are not Census Bureau publications, views, or responsibility)   

1997
January - Freeware and Shareware | February - Primer for Newcomers | June - Literature Resources | July - Additional FAQs | August - Data Sources | September - Public Health | October - Public Health Data | November - Freeware Development | December - Web Browsers

1998
January - What is GIS | February - Education Resources | March - More on Freeware | April - Ship Navigation

Contributors and Copyright

Note: Although the Census Bureau hosts this document as a service to the GIS community, it is in no way a Census publication or responsibility.

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Last update: Thursday, 13-Sep-2001 12:37:44 EDT
Lisa Nyman

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