1. Geographic Information Systems
GIS Software

2. 1. The Early GISs SURFACE II, by Kansas Geological Survey
SYMAP, by Harvard Laboratory for Computer Graphics and Spatial Analysis

3. SURFACE II Surface III by Kansas Geological Survey
Displays of three-dimensional, single-valued surfaces
The input to Surface III is a text file containing X-Y-Z data points. The program will create a matrix of rows and columns describing the surface. The gridding methods include distance-weighted averaging, polynomial fitting, and Universal kriging, Etc.

4. SURFACE II The software can create several kinds of maps contour maps
three-dimensional fishnet diagrams
color-filled contours
data-point postings
Grids can be added, subtracted, multiplied, or divided by one another (grid-to-grid operations)

5. SYMAP By Harvard Laboratory for Computer Graphics and Spatial Analysis
Developed as general-purpose mapping package beginning in 1964
Output exclusively on line printers
Poor resolution, low quality
Limited functionality but simple to use

6. SYMAP .. A way for non-cartographers to make maps
First real demonstration of ability of computers to make maps
Sparked enormous interest in a previously unheard-of technology

7. 2. Major GIS Software Packages
ArcGIS, Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI)
Autodesk MapGuide, Autodesk Inc.
GRASS, Open Source Geospatial Foundation (OSGeo)
IDRISI, Clark University Graduate School of Geography
MapInfo, Pitney Bowes Business Insight
Maptitude, Caliper Corporation
Geomedia, Intergraph Corporation

8. ArcGIS (ARC/INFO) A long lived, full function GIS
A vector-based package, added raster in mid 90’s
With hundreds of sophisticated tools for map automation, data conversion, database management, map overlay and spatial analysis, interactive display and query graphic editing, and address geocoding
A relational database interface
Changed to object-oriented design in version 8+ in the late 1990s

9. Autodesk Map Built on the capabilities of AutoCAD, Autodesk inc.
Extensively used in planning, engineering, and architecture
Supports topology, Oracle and SQL query, and grids/images
Extensive tools for coordinate conversion, map editing and digitizing
Today it focuses more on architecture and engineering

10. GRASS Geographic Resources Analysis Support System
The first Unix based GIS, using raster data
It is a free software with an open architecture
Started by the U.S. Army Corps of Engeneers - Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (USA-CERL), now run by OSGeo foundation

11. Grass Features New Vector Engine (geometry) Volume visualization
Vector network analysis

12. IDRISI
A not-for profit operation (School of Geography, Clark University)
A raster GIS, with an open architecture
Image processing and spatial statistical analysis
Time-series analysis, spatial decision support, uncertainty analysis, fuzzy analysis

13. MapInfo Start out as a less than full-blown GIS
A vector-based package and data ready
Suited to economic, political, cultural, industrial applications
Geomarketing
Site location analysis

14. Maptitude Related to TransCAD, GIS-Plus GIS, Caliper Corp
Transportation-oriented GIS package
Come with geocoded and system-ready data
Allow creation and maintenance of database, analysis of geographic relationship, and map display

15. Geomedia A layer based GIS
With a set of modules for different functions
There are additional extensions for land information, parcel management, public works, and transportation
Maintains topologically clean data without building topology
Use Orical and SQL for attribute data

16. 3. Picking up a GIS Software
Cost
Training
Manual
User support group
Software maintenance
That is all well and good, but, but does it come with a remote?

17. 4. Readings
Keith Clarke, 2003, Getting Started with Geographic Information Systems, 4th edition, Prentice Hall.