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COMPONENTS OF THE GIS There are many hardware and software options to explore in designing your GIS. Most hardware components are general purpose computing devices and equipment. The only specialized equipment needed is for capturing data (digitizing) and displaying your graphics output. The point to stress is that a hardware configuration needs to be adequate to support your desired software. To see the technical specifications of the components of the basic GIS model we built for the pilot project and their interoperability with the other components, visit the links below. A GIS can be operated in either a stand-alone environment or in a distributed processing one in which a series of PCs are connected by a network. The computer processor must have adequate internal memory, while the size and screen resolution must be optimal for the interactive display and editing device. The data input devices used may include a scanner and/or digitizer. Desktop scanners usually have a spatial resolution of 300 to 600 dpi and distinguish 256 gray tones. The external data storage devices used depend on your required storage needs, access speed, transfer rate and portability, and may include a networked server, hard disks, CD-ROMs and laser or optical disks. Output devices are principally plotters, CD-Writers and printers. To get started, you need to install a word processing program to write Metadata and supporting documentation for your projects. Secondly, you must have software that allows you to write extensive data tables containing database information. You will also require scanning software to digitize your paper maps and images and software that will translate your raster scans to vector coverages. If you are working in a networked environment, you must have software that allows you to transfer data over the network. But most importantly, you need a complete geoprocessing toolbox, such as ArcInfo, for the modification, management, analysis and display of geographic information. For further information on ARCInfo click here. Finally, you should obtain Import71, a software that translates compressed ArcInfo data project files (.e00 files) into a directory of individual shape files compatible with the most common graphics display programs such as ArcView. Flowchart of the components
{Note - The grayed-out components connected to the setup by dashed lines are optional yet highly recommended for full GIS flexibility and production options.} |
