From: sealy@aeneid.rtp.dg.com (Virgil Sealy)
Subject: Frequently Asked Questions and General Info List (Long!)
Date: Fri, 18 Dec 92 17:42:10 GMT
Organization: Data General Corporation, RTP, NC.

Frequently Asked Questions and General Info List (Long!)
Monthly Posting to GIS-l and comp.infosystems.gis 
Second edition.  Note: We have still not yet added What is GIS?


                     GIS FAQ List (92-12-18)


  This is the list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) about Geographic
  Information Systems (GIS) along with answers to these questions.  This
  FAQ is posted as a resource to the `comp.infosystems.gis' newsgroup
  which is connected to the GISL LISTSERVER mailing list. 

| Changes in this issure are found by looking for a | in the first column.

  Netiquette
  ----------

  If someone asks a FAQ, please e-mail the answer instead of posting.
  You should also include information on how to access the FAQ. (see
  question 1)

  If you have information that you think should be included in the FAQ,
  please e-mail the information to Lisa Nyman <panda@syrinx.umd.edu> or
  Virgil Sealy <sealy@dg-rtp.dg.com>.  Feel free to discuss the
  information on the net to get a consensus if the answer is canonical.

  If you believe that some information in the FAQ is wrong, please e-mail
  us.  We don't want the FAQ to generate more postings than it saves! We
  are not the authors of much of this information, only the compilers.
  We will work with you and the author to resolve the issue.  Credit is
  given for contributing information gotten from the Net.
  
  The FAQ is also crossposted to `news.answers'.

  -- 
  Virgil Sealy <sealy@dg-rtp.dg.com>
  Lisa Nyman   <panda@syrinx.umd.edu>

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Index
-----

  1: How do I get the FAQ list?
  2: What is the difference between the newsgroup and listserv?
  3: What are e-mail and paper addresses of some vendors?
  4: What colleges and universities offer coursework in GIS?
  5: What public domain or shareware GIS software is available and
     where is it?
  6: What are the NCGIA anon ftp sites and what can be found there?
  7: What are the United States map accuracy standards?
  8: What is the Vector Product Format and where can I get information?
  9: What is this SDTS thing?
 10: How do I order USGS maps?
 11: What are some other related mailing lists, ftp sites and internet
     addresses for useful resources?
 12: How do I order the Digital Chart of the World (DCW)?
 13: How do I subscribe to GIS-L, MAP-L, etc?
 14: Will GRASS run under LINUX OS on my PC?
----------------------------------------------------------------------

  1: How do I get the FAQ list?

     This list is posted to the comp.infosystems.gis and news.answers 
     newsgroups on a monthly basis.  The most current version is available
     via anonymous FTP on the system dg-rtp.dg.com (128.222.1.2) in the
     file /gis/faq

----------------------------------------------------------------------

  2: What is the difference between the newsgroup and listserv?

     The newsgroup comp.infosystems.gis is a Usenet special intrest news
     distribution scheme that allows individuals with access to Usenet
     to read and post articles.  The system is somewhat like e-mail
     but involves a network of news 'feeds' that pass the news along.

     The listserv system is a mailing list of e-mail addresses which
     allows members to send messages to the GIS-L mailing list.  The
     GIS-L mailing list consists of a large number of people
     interested in GIS who receive GIS related articles using their
     normal e-mail software.  The GIS-L mailing list is maintained by
     the listserv software and by the human David Mark who is the
     manager of the GIS-L mailing list.

     Articles sent to either of the above will be sent to the other so
     there is no need to post to both groups.

     It is important that people remember that messages to GIS-L end
     up on Usenet and those with Usenet access should read new user
     information in the news.announce.newusers group.  One highlight to note 
     is that while product information can be valuable to a group, please
     post only one article per product, as this should not become a
     commercial advertisement center.  

----------------------------------------------------------------------

  3: What are e-mail and paper addresses of some vendors?

     For a complete USMail address list of GIS and mapping vendors, consult
     the GIS Sourcebook (annual) from GIS World Magazine.

     ------------

     Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI)
     380 New York Street,
     Redlands, CA USA 92373
     (714) 793-2853
     support@esri.com

     For Help with ESRI products, you can send email to the above
     address.  In correspondence be sure to include your name,
     organization, system, OS revision, ARC revision and your ESRI
     client number (if you know it).

     ------------

     The e-mail address for more info on the Etak software is
     ramaa@etak.com.

     ------------

     GeoVision

     GeoVision's email address: firstinitiallastname@gvc.com (or
     @geovision.gvc.com).  Paul Tomblin has offered to act as a
     contact.  You can reach him at ptomblin@geovison.gvc.com

     GeoVision Systems Inc
     1099 Eighteenth St, Suite 300
     Denver CO 80202
     Phone (303)796-8200
     Fax   (303)296-3253

     GeoVision Systems Inc
     1600 Carling Ave, Suite 200
     Ottawa, Ontario K1Z 8R7
     Canada
     Phone (613)722-9518
     Fax   (613)722-5385

     GeoVision Systems Limited
     80 Park Street
     Camberley, Surrey GU15 3PT
     UK
     Phone 0276-677707 (From North America 011-44-276-677707)
     Fax   0276-676567

     GeoVision Australia Pty Ltd.
     165 Walker St., Suite 403
     North Sydney, New South Wales
     Australia 2060
     Phone (From North America) 011-61-2-959-3310
     Fax   011-61-2-959-4885


     ------------

     Ingres (Intelligent DataBase), An ASK Company
     (this may be of new interest here because of the ability to define
      data types in the database, such as polygon, line, etc )

     1080 Marina Village Parkway
     Alameda, CA  94501-1041
     510-769-1400  or (NA only) 1-800-4-INGRES

     Ingres' email address: firstinitiallastname@ingres.com
     A volunteer address for referals: morsie@ingres.com

     ------------

     Map Info's address is:
     MapInfo Corp
     200 Broadway
     Troy New York 12180
     voice   518-274-8673
     fax     518-274-0510
     hotline 800-FAST-MAP

     ------------

     SYSTEM 9 can be reached at the following address:

     Computervision GIS Inc
     45 Vogell Road, 7th Floor
     Richmond Hill. Ont. L4B 3P6
     arthur@cvgis.prime.com

     ------------
     
     For information contact TerraLogics at:
     (603) 889-1800            telephone
     (603) 880-2022            fax
     info@tlogics.com          internet
     {decvax,mv}!tlogics!info  uucp


----------------------------------------------------------------------

  4: What colleges and universities offer coursework in GIS?

     Many schools throughout the world offer coursework in GIS and
     related studies in different academic departments including
     Geography, Computer Science, and Urban Planning among others.

     Sources of Information:

     1.  Geo Info Systems May 1992, Academic GIS Directory: GIS in
         Higher Education.

         This is a list compiled by John Morgan with Barbara Fleury
         (Towson State University) which includes courses offered by
         University departments all over the world.  Listing are by
         University, department type, and by state and country.
         Information in the listings include course titles, school
         addresses and persons to contact.

     2.  Guides to Geography Departments, annual publication
         of the AAG. [What does AAG mean? /vs]

         This publications provides graduate and undergraduate programs
         for geography departments at US and Canadian Universities. Info
         provided includes faculty, program options and requirements,
         and lab facilities.

         Contact the AAG, 1710 16th Str NW, Washington DC 20009-3198
         for ordering information.  AAG phone: 202-234-1450 BITNET:
         AAG@GWUVM

     Note:  Many faculty participate in Usenet and listserv
     discussions and are directly accessible via Email.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

  5: What public domain or shareware GIS software is available and
     where is it?

     Below is a list of a few software packages.  Please also see the
     answer to number 11 for additional listings sorted by FTP site.

     ----------
     FLIG - a GIS for NeXT

     >From: megatel.de!mhi@megatel.de (Dr. Mario Hilgemeier)

     FLIG - the FLexible Information system for Geodata connects map
     display, relational database and algorithms for data manipulation
     and analysis (e.g. planning).  FLIG is envisioned as an open
     system, so that users can flange their own procedures to the
     system.

     The running demo:  A raster-based scanned image serving as
     backdrop, various geo-objects can be displayed (Postscript
     vector-graphics). A mouse-click on the object displays additional
     data (texts, graphics).  The relational database (Sybase) enables
     the user to select objects with the same set of  characteristics.
     Zooming is possible. Used successfully for area information system
     and environmental monitoring system, both with small set of areas
     / stations.

     FLIGdemo Demoversion 203 - Bremen 

     we`ve uploaded the current version of FLIGdemo to
     sonata.cc.purdue.edu (128.210.15.30).  You can download the files
     (_as_long_as_they_are_there_...)

          FLIGdemo203.README.rtf
          FLIGdemo203.tar.Z

     in directory pub/next/submissions from there via anonymous ftp.

     FLIGdemo203 is also available on
          src.doc.ic.ac.uk   (146.169.2.1)   /next/submissions
          nova.cc.purdue.edu   (128.210.7.22)   /pub/next/submissions

     The version 203 is slightly updated, but still very very demo.
     The present Version of FLIG is much better (not for sale yet).

     NOTE: start FLIGdemo once, to get the application information
     needed for the form in README.

     ----------

     GMT

     >From: megatel.de!mhi@megatel.de (Dr. Mario Hilgemeier)

     GMT (general mapping tool)  by Paul Wessel, School of Ocean and
     Earth Sciences and Technology (SOEST) / University of Hawaii can

     - display various kinds of fancy maps (Postscript from formatted  
       ascii data)
     - apply diverse analyses (fits, contours, fft, etc) on the data
     - transform to many coordinate systems
     - run in connection with NetCDF
     - be used in connection with own routines

     more info can be got from reading the (thick) manual.

     GMT documentation & sources:  anonymous ftp from
     kiawe.soest.hawaii.edu (128.171.151.16). in the pub/gmt directory

     GMT uses several functions in the netCDF library.  Copy the file
     netcdf.tar.Z from unidata.ucar.edu (128.117.140.3) using anonymous
     ftp.  Then uncompress/tar and follow their instructions for
     installation.

     ----------

     GRASS

     >From: wade@zorro.cecer.army.mil (Scott Wade)

     One way to obtain GRASS is via anonymous ftp from
     moon.cecer.army.mil [129.229.20.254].  It is available at any
     time.

     This is complete message form Office of GRASS Integration:

       Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1992 16:12:46 -0500
       From: Ken Brownfield <brownfld@max.cecer.army.mil>
       To: grassu-list@max.cecer.army.mil, grsasp-list@max.cecer.army.mil
       Subject: GRASS FTP site
   
       The OGI GRASS FTP server has been moved and reorganized.

       The FTP site is now available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
       (!) The name of the new FTP site machine is still
       moon.cecer.army.mil, but the IP number has changed to
       129.229.20.254.  From any Internet machine, moon.cecer.army.mil
       should still work fine.  After connecting to the moon, change
       your directory (using cd) to the grass directory.  Since the new
       site is shared between many offices here at cerl, grass is in
       its own directory on the ftp site.

       The site has been reorganized in a more intuitive manner, so
       programs and updates should be easier to find.  When GRASS v4.1
       has been released, bug fixes will be separated from new programs
       and existing program _upgrades_.  We hope that the lifted time
       limitations will give everyone a chance to access the FTP site
       at normal working hours.  If you have problems, comments, or
       suggestions, please send mail to ftp-admin@moon.cecer.army.mil.


     ----------

     MOSS

     MOSS for the IBM PC can be found on csn.org [128.138.213.21] in
     the /COGS/MOSS directory.

     PC MOSS contact: Sol Katz [no access to internet but may be
                      contacted through the GISnet BBS: (303) 447-0927]

     FTP contact: Bill Thoen <bthoen@csn.org>

     ----------

     Arc Digitised Raster Graphics (ARDG) 

     >From: schuster@seas.gwu.edu (John Schuster)

     Code for viewing ADRG (Arc Digitised Raster Graphics) files is
     available on the GRIPS II CD-ROM. The U.S. Army Engineer
     Topographic Labs (Juan Perez) gave me permission to post the code
     on the net, so I've posted adrg.zip to spectrum.xerox.com.  The
     GRIPS II (Gov. Raster Image Processing Software) CD-ROM is
     available from CD-ROM Inc. at 1-800-821-5245 for $49.  Special
     thanks to Peter Z. Simpson for pointing this out.
  
     __________ 

     OZ GIS

     (from OZ GIS distribution materials)
     OzGIS is a software system for displaying geographically
     referenced data, such as Census data or environment data, as maps
     and diagrams on screens, printers and plotters on an IBM PC
     compatible.

     The system can therefore be used to analyse socio-economic data
     produced by censuses and surveys and to support management
     decisions associated with for example Government planning,
     marketing, sales, site and personnel location, advertising.

     Digitised map data (e.g.Census boundaries, GIS) and attribute data
     (e.g.  sales, environmental) are accepted as Ascii files and
     preprocessed (e.g.  amalgamation, line thinning, polygon
     construction, subsetting) before display. Maps of polygons, lines
     and points can be displayed according to one or two attributes
     along with various overlays. About 100 menus provide extensive
     options for interactively designing the layout and appearance of
     the map, and for attribute handling, classification, interrogation
     and saving maps.  Maps can be output on plotters, printers and
     various file types.

                    WHERE DO YOU GET IT
                    ===================

     OzGIS is distributed as a "shareware" system. Shareware is a
     marketing concept that enables you to "try before you buy". You
     can get a trial system from companies that distribute shareware
     software, from bulletin boards, or by anonymous ftp from various
     systems.

     OzGIS is very extensive, (it is the product of over ten years
     effort), but also very cheap at A$100.

     One hundred Australian dollars = approx. sevetyfive American dollars
                                    = approx. fortyfive pounds sterling


     OzGIS is available for evaluation via anonymous ftp from:

     Internet: [192.88.110.20]   WSMR-SIMTEL20.Army.Mil

                 > ftp 192.88.110.20
                 ftp> cd pd1:<msdos.mapping>

     SIMTEL20 files are also available by anonymous ftp from mirror
     sites OAK.Oakland.Edu (141.210.10.117), wuarchive.wustl.edu
     (128.252.135.4), ftp.uu.net (137.39.1.9), nic.funet.fi
     (128.214.6.100), src.doc.ic.ac.uk (146.169.3.7), nic.switch.ch
     (130.59.1.40), archie.au (139.130.4.6), or nctuccca.edu.tw
     (140.111.3.21).

     Also: Internet: [128.214.87.1]    garbo.uwasa.fi

                     ftp 128.214.87.1
                     ftp> cd pc/science

     The current version is available as the file ozgis88.zip (the
     previous version was ozgis80.zip).

----------------------------------------------------------------------

  6: What are the NCGIA anon ftp sites and what can be found there?

     >From: mmdf@raj.NCGIA.ucsb.edu (Richard Johnson)

     The NCGIA and UCSB (National Center for Geographic Information and
     Analysis at U. C. Santa Barbara) now has a publicly available FTP
     area in which are located various Technical Reports as well as our
     Annual Reports.

     To access this information, "FTP" to "ncgia.ucsb.edu"
     (128.111.254.105) as the user "anonymous" with any password, and
     "cd" into the "pub" directory.  In the "pub" directory the
     organization is as follows:

     Initiatives     - Papers/Reports related to specific initiatives which
                       are not considered "Technical Reports".

     annual-reports  - NCGIA annual reports in both plain text and
                       postscript form.

     new-reports     - Temporary repository for new reports being submitted
                       for public FTP from ncgia.ucsb.edu.

     tech-reports    - Selected NCGIA Technical Reports in both plain text
                       and postscript form.

     dems            - USGS CTOG DEM files.  (From Mark Kumler)

     etc             - Other random programs and files which are being made
                       available for public FTP.

     Some directories have subdirectories of "text" and "postscript".
     When these are present, they contain the papers/reports in plain
     ascii text and in Adobe Postscript(*) forms respectively.

     Under tech-reports/text and tech-reports/postscript there are
     plain text and postscript forms of the Publication list (named
     "pub-list.txt" and "pub-list.ps" respectively).  These can be used
     to determine the publication number.  Then the publication can be
     retrieved using that number to locate the file.

     Some technical reports have separate "title" and "body" sections.
     Both of these should be retrieved and the "title" section should
     be placed before the "body" section after printing.  Some
     technical reports have whole subdirectories.  In this case, all
     files in the subdirectory should be retrieved, printed, and
     ordered according to the numerical sequence of the filename.

     Some papers available are:

     88-6    COGNITIVE AND LINGUISTIC ASPECTS OF GEOGRAPHIC SPACE:  REPORT 
             ON A WORKSHOP
     89-1    Accuracy of Spatial Databases: Initiative 1 Specialist Meeting 
             Report
     90-10   Language, Cognitive Science, and Geographic Information Systems
     90-9    A Spatial Decision Support System For Bank Location
     91-1    Fractal Geometry and Spatial Phenomena
     91-12   GIS Laboratory Excercises: Volume 1
     91-19   The Use of a Geographic Information System for Second-Order 
             Analysis
             of Spatial Point Patterns
     91-20   The NCGIA Guide to Laboratory Materials - 1991
     91-22   Bibliography on Animation of Spatial Data: A Guide to Literature,
             Video and Movie Media
     91-24   German GIS/LIS Standards
     91-26   Initiative 7 Specialist Meeting:  Visualization of Spatial Data 
             Quality
             (This paper is incomplete currently and has been known to be
             unprintable in postscript form on some postscript printers.)

     These are available in both postscript and ascii text form.  All
     of them were produced on a Mac, so the best form in which to read
     them would be postscript, however the textual form should be
     usable for a quick reference or if you don't have access to a
     postscript printer.

     All of these documents are also available via the WAIS system also
     under "NCGIA Technical Reports".  For more information about WAIS,
     FTP to quake.think.com where the software distribution is kept.


     If you have questions/comments/complaints, please direct them to
     the Email address <postmaster@ncgia.ucsb.edu>

----------------------------------------------------------------------

  7: What are the United States map accuracy standards?

     >From: rcw@scicom.AlphaCDC.COM (Robert White)

     United States National Map Accuracy Standards

     With a view to the utmost economy and expedition in producing maps
     which fulfill not only the broad needs for standard or principal
     maps, but also the reasonable particular needs of individual
     agencies, standards of accuracy for published maps are defined as
     follows:

     1.  Horizontal Accuracy.  For maps on publication scales larger
     than 1:20,000, not more than 10 percent of the points tested shall
     be in error by more than 1/30 inch, measured on the publication
     scale; for maps on publication scales of 1:20,000 or smaller, 1/50
     inch.  These limits of accuracy shall apply in all cases to
     positions of well-defined points only.  Well-defined points are
     those that are easily visible or recoverable on the ground, such
     as the following:  monuments or markers, such as bench marks,
     property boundary monuments, intersections of roads, railroads,
     etc.; corners of large buildings or structures (or center points
     of small buildings); etc.  In general what is well defined will
     also be determined by what is plottable on the scale of the map
     with 1/100 inch.  Thus while the intersection of two road or
     property lines meeting at right angles would come within a
     sensible interpretation, identification of the intersection of
     such lines meeting at an acute angle would obviously not be
     practicable within 1/100 inch.  Similarly, features not
     identifiable upon the ground within close limits are not to be
     considered as test points within the limits quoted, even though
     their positions may be scaled closely upon the map.  In this class
     would come timber lines, soil boundaries, etc.

     2.  Vertical Accuracy, as applied to contour maps on all
     publication scales, shall be such that not more than 10 percent of
     the elevations tested shall be in error more than one-half the
     contour interval.  In checking elevations taken from the map, the
     apparent vertical error may be decreased by assuming a horizontal
     displacement within the permissible horizontal error for a map of
     that scale.  

     3.  The accuracy of any map may be tested by comparing the
     positions of points whose locations or elevations are shown upon
     it with corresponding positions as determined by surveys of a
     higher accuracy.  Tests shall be made by the producing agency,
     which shall also determine which of its maps are to be tested, and
     the extent of such testing.

     4.  Published maps meeting these accuracy requirements shall note
     this fact on their legends, as follows:  "This map complies with
     National Map Accuracy Standards."

     5. Published maps whose errors exceed those aforestated shall omit
     from their legends all mention of standard accuracy.

     6.  When a published map is a considerable enlargement of a map
     drawing (manuscript) or of a published map, that fact shall be
     stated in the legend.  For example, "This map is an enlargement of
     a 1:20,000-scale map drawing," or "This map is an enlargement of a
     1:24,000-scale published map."

     7. To facilitate ready interchange and use of basic information
     for map construction among all federal map making agencies,
     manuscript maps and published maps, wherever economically feasible
     and consistent with the uses to which the map is to be put, shall
     conform to latitude and longitude boundaries, being 15 minutes of
     latitude and longitude, or 7.5 minutes or 3-3/4 minutes in size.

     US Bureau of the Budget

     Issued June 10, 1941
     Revised April 26, 1943
     Revised June 17, 1947

----------------------------------------------------------------------

  8: What is the Vector Product Format and where can I get information?

     >From: tjmisek@hou.amoco.com (Thomas Misek)

     The document that lists the format & form of the Vector Product
     Format is:

        Military Standard
        Vector Product Format
        MIL-STD-600006
        13 April 1992

     This 200+ page document has a complete description of the
     format.

|    [old address deleted - new address from newcomb@navo.navy.mil
|    (Donald R.  Newcomb)]

|    The correct address for the public to request any MIL-STD is:

|      Naval Publications & Forms Center
|      Code 3051
|      5801 Tabot Ave.
|      Philadelphia, PA 19120

|    This is DoD's central supply house for MIL-STDs. They are, by the way,
|    all free to US addresses.


|    [original article continues]

     Since the VPF has been created as a means for transmitting digital
     geographic databases, I, for one, would be interested in any
     programs that make use of the format.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

  9: What is this SDTS thing?

     > from: esri!marlow!peter@UUNET.UU.NET (Peter Aronson)

     SDTS is a large complex standard, including many elements not
     contained in most other transfer standards: a feature coding
     system with thousands of codes; 

     [RFEGEAS@USGS.GOV (ROBIN FEGEAS) adds:]
       The "feature coding system" (Part 2 of the SDTS) is actually a
       model for defining feature and attribute data.  A list of
       terms--not codes as such (of course, a term, e.g. "AIRPORT," can
       be considered a code)--with definitions is included as an
       annex.  But the list is incomplete (with only topographic and
       hydrographic terms) and consists of about 200 feature terms and
       250 attribute terms (not thousands--although some 1,200
       "included" terms are listed and equated to the standard terms).

     [original article continues]
                                     data quality information (although
     DIGEST and VPF both also can carry this); a complete attribute
     data dictionary (required for attributes that are not part of the
     built-in feature coding system).

     Where most standards will specify a standard way of representing a
     spatial object, SDTS usually species half a dozen.  For example,
     lines:

        Lines can be represented using X,Y coordinates, X,Y,Z
        coordinates or as sequences of other linear features, including
        curves.  They may be specified as planar or nonplanar.  They
        may have left/right polygon information and they may have start
        and end node information, both, or neither.  (And
        unfortunately, since SDTS node objects are allowed (but not
        required) to have a coordinate, it is unclear whether the first
        and last coordinate of a line with node information is stored
        on the node only, or is redundantly stored on the line as
        well).

     [RFEGEAS@USGS.GOV (ROBIN FEGEAS) adds:]

       SDTS is clear in requiring node coordinates to be redundantly
       stored: "...  even if the line ... record includes foreign
       identifiers of the nodes ..., the [coordinates] of the nodes,
       although redundant, shall be included [in the line]." (from SDTS
       Part 1, Section 5.6.2, Table 33.)

     [original article continues]

     SDTS was at one time clearly intended to be a US-only standard: an
     earlier version of the standard only allowed Lat/Long, UTM and
     State Plane coordinate systems.  However, it now allows additional
     transformations to be defined using projection information (either
     by storing projection parameters as attribute, with their meaning
     stored in the data dictionary (not to be confused with graphic
     codes which also can have their meaning stored in the data
     dictionary)), or by using sets of transformation points (rubber-
     sheeting is left as an exercise for the reader).

     > From: RFEGEAS@USGS.GOV (ROBIN FEGEAS)

     On July 29, 1992, the SDTS (Spatial Data Transfer Standard) was
     approved as a Federal Information Procession Standard (FIPS
     Publication 173).  As announced in the August 28, 1992 edition of
     the Federal Register, FIPS SDTS is effective February 15, 1993 and
     its use is mandatory for Federal agencies one year from that
     date.

     A number of SDTS related documents, including the standard itself,
     is available (in WordPerfect and ASCII formats--although the ASCII
     versions leave something to be desired) via anonymous ftp site
     isdres.er.usgs.gov (cd usgs.sdts).

     Further queries can be directed via email to:
        stds@usgs.gov.

     or surface mail at:
        SDTS Task Force
        U.S. Geological Survey
        526 National Center
        Reston, VA 22092
        USA

     For more information on SDTS:

     An upcoming issue (probably Dec 92) of CAGIS will be devoted to
     articles about SDTS.  These articles should be posted at the
     anonymous ftp listed above.

     For an excellent layman's overview of the actual SDTS:  
       Tosta, N., "SDTS: Setting the Standard," in Geo Info Systems,
       July/August 1991 (Vol 1, No 7), pp 57-59.

     For an introduction to the standard and the international picture:

       Moellering, H. (ed), Spatial Database Transfer Standards:
       Current International Status, 1991, 247 pages; published on
       behalf of the International Cartographic Association (ICA) by
       Elsevier Applied Science; 

     and

       Rossmeissl, H.J. and Rugg, R.D., "The United States Spatial Data
       Transfer Standard" in [above], pp. 204-216.


     To summarize SDTS:

     Culminating a 10-year development effort, the Spatial Data
     Transfer Standard, is being implemented as a Federal Information
     Processing Standard (FIPS 173).  It will serve as the national
     spatial data transfer mechanism for all U.S. Federal agencies, and
     be available for use by state and local government entities, the
     private sector, and research organizations.  Plans to pursue ANSI
     and ISO approvals are being made.  SDTS specifies exchange format
     constructs, addressing structure and content, for
     spatially-referenced vector and raster (including gridded) data in
     order to facilitate data transfer between dissimilar spatial
     database systems.

     The Part of SDTS:

     PART 1 - specifies:

     (a) a conceptual model of spatial data which, from the "bottom"
	 up, consists of a defined set of simple 0, 1, and
	 2-dimensional spatial objects (a total of 13 with some
	 sub-types types); spatial objects represent, either directly
	 or through aggregations called composite objects, "real-world"
	 spatial phenomena modeled as entities; 

     (b) components of a data quality report using the "truth in
	 labeling" principle to allow a data user to evaluate "fitness"
	 for use (as in a given application); five components are
	 specified--lineage, positional accuracy, attribute accuracy,
	 logical consistency, and completeness; and 

     (c) detailed logical transfer format constructs and
	 specifications-- a SDTS transfer logically consists of modules
	 with records, fields and sub-fields; 34 module types are
	 specified in terms of detailed field and subfield record
	 layout specification tables; the SDTS modules carry global,
	 data quality, feature/attribute data dictionary, coordinate
	 reference, spatial object, and associated attribute and
	 graphic symbology information.  

     PART 2 - addresses data content by providing a model for the
	 definition of spatial features (entities), attributes and
	 attribute values; and includes a standard, but dynamic and
	 expandable, list with definitions, of some 200 topographic and
	 hydrographic features and their attributes (about 250), plus
	 over 1200 "included" terms (equated to the standard terms).

     PART 3 - specifies the format implementation of the logical
	 specifications in SDTS Part 1 using a general data exchange
	 media/system independent formatting standard (ISO/ANSI 8211
	 and FIPS 123) entitled "Specification for a Data Descriptive
	 File for Information Interchange."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

 10: How do I order USGS maps?

     It's easy.  Just call (in the US) 1-800-USA-MAPS


----------------------------------------------------------------------------

 11: What are some other related mailing lists, ftp sites and internet
     addresses for useful resources?

     Internet Resources [and bitnet lists] for GIS/CARTO/Earth Science
     by Bill Thoen

     [FAQ editor's note: This list has been shortened *a lot* in the
                         interest of space.  A full version is available
                         by anonymous FTP to csn.org in the COGS
                         directory.  Much climatology and geology has
                         been deleted.  Disclaimer deleted but still
                         implied. LN 8-26-92]

     Usenet News Groups (excluding c.i.gis)
     ------------------------------------
     1. comp.graphics              Graphics, image processing
     2. sci.geo.fluids             Oceanography
     3. sci.geo.geology            Geology
     4. sci.geo.meteorology        Meteorology

     Bitnet Discussion Lists
     ------------------------------------
     ACDGIS-LWIIMC12.BITNET 
       Regional GIS discussions for German-speaking countries.
       Topics include GIS, CACartography, Remote Sensing and Image
       Processing as related to GIS, Geo-Statistics.  
       list owner:  Zoltan Daroczy
       Dept. of Geography
       University of Economics and Business Adminstration
       Vienna:  WIGEOARN@AWIWUW11.BITNET

     ASTRA-UG@ICNUCEVM.BITNET
       ASTRA is a joint database project of the IBM Europe and the
       Italian Council of Research, located in Pisa (italy). It is
       accessible from an EARN (or BITNET (?)) node, you have to
       install the ASTRA client software.  The services are free, the
       questions and the answers are interactive messages or can be
       sent via the EARN mail function.

            **To get information about the service:
           VM/CMS Users:  TELL ASTRADB AT ICNUCEVM GET ASTRA INFO
           VAX/VMS Users: SEND ASTRADB@ICNUCEVM GET ASTRA INFO
            **To get help about using the server:
           VM/CMS Users:  TELL ASTRADB AT ICNUCEVM HELP
           VAX/VMS Users: SEND ASTRADB@ICNUCEVM HELP
            **To get the user interface:
           VM/CMS Users:  TELL ASTRADB AT ICNUCEVM GET ASTRA EXEC
           VAX/VMS Users: SEND ASTRADB@ICNUCEVM ASTRAVAX
 
       To share ideas and experiences, a news group is established
       on LISTSERV@ICNUCEVM. To subscribe to the group send the message
       SUB ASTRA-UG  your full name to LISTSERV@ICNUEVM
 
     COASTGIS@IRLEARN.BITNET    Coatsal GIS discussion list 
       (note:  not everybody can get this one it seems, but it has been
       confirmed as of March 14, 1992)

     GEOCAL@UK.AC.LEICESTER     Geography, Geology, Town and Regional
                                Planning, Meteorology
       This moderated list will discuss all aspects of
       CAL/CBT/CAI/CML within the Centre's 'community' of Geography, Geology,
       Town and Regional Planning and Meteorology.
                        SUBSCRIBE GEOCAL Firstname Surname
       You should send this message to VMSSERV@UK.AC.LEICESTER.

     GEOGRAPH@FINHUTC.BITNET    Geography
       GEOGRAPHy is an experimental BULLETIN BOARD and DISCUSSION FORUM
       for academic geography - faculty, students and other persons
       having interests in the field of modern geographic research.

     GIS-L@UBVM.BITNET          Geographic Information Systems
     GIS-L@ubvm.cc.buffalo.edu

     UIGIS-L@UBVM.BITNET        GIS User Interface issues

     IDRISI-L@TOWNSONYX.BITNET  IDIRISI Discussion list
       IDRISI-L is supported by the Department of Geography and
       Environmental Planning at Towson State University (Baltimore).
       To subscribe, send a one line message (SUBSCRIBE IDRISI-L) to
       MAILSERV@TOWSONVX.BITNET or MAILSERV@TOE.TOWSON.EDU
       Contact the department: Jay Morgan  E7G4MOR@TOWSONVX
       Towson State Univ.  Baltimore, MD 21204-7097   ph: 410-830-2864

     IMAGRS-L@CSEARN.BITNET     Image Processing of Remotely Sensed data

     MAPS-L@UGA.BITNET          Maps and Air Photos (mostly concerns map
     MAPS-L@uga.cc.uga.edu      catalogger's and map librarian's issues)

     RRL@UK.AC.LEICESTER        GIS
       The GIS Mailing List is maintained by the ESRC Midlands Regional
       Research Laboratory at the University of Leicester.  If you would
       like to be added to this list, please send an e-mail to
       RRL@UK.AC.LEICESTER. You will then be kept up to date with
       current "goings on" in GIS. Each month, a revised list is also
       sent out.

     Anonymous FTP Sites
     ----------------------------------------------
     csn.org                       [128.138.213.21]
       directory: COGS
       Contains COGS diskettes and other software collected from
       COGSnet BBS including geologic, gis, mapping, earth science
       software for the PC and Macintosh.  
       Contact: Bill Thoen  bbthoen@csn.org  (internet)

     charon.er.usgs.gov            [130.118.120.30]
       pub/proj-3.1.tar.Z      - cartographic projection package (Unix C)
       pub/mapgen-4.2.tar.Z    - MAPGEN digital cartographic software system 
                                 (Unix)
       pub/graphics-4.6.tar.Z  - PLOTGEN plotting package for use with MAPGEN
       pub/xzoom-2.01.tar.Z    - interactive vector graphics display program 
                                 for use with MAPGEN and PLOTGEN (Unix/X11)
       pub/GCTP-II.tar.Z       - most recent version of the GCTP map projection
                                 software (FORTRAN)

     ftp.cs.toronto.edu            [128.100.1.105]
       doc/geography/US.lat-long   - lat/long coordinates of major US cities
       doc/geography/CIA_World_Map - directory of CIA world map database

     ftp.uu.net
       graphics/USmap.Z         - digitized outline of the U.S.
       pub/Census/slc.part1.Z   - 1980 U.S. Census county boundaries

     gatekeeper.dec.com
       pub/graphics/data/cia-wdb/*  - CIA World Data Bank

     isdres.er.usgs.gov            [130.11.48.2]
       directory: [.USGS.GCTP]
       Source code the USGS General Cartographic Transformation Package
       (GCTP).

       directory: [.USGS.SDTS]   <- VAX Systen, take note
       Text to Spatial Data Transfer Standard (SDTS)

     kiawe.soest.hawaii.edu        [128.171.151.16]
       directory: pub/gmt
       Contains the Generic Mapping Tools, software for map projections,
       spatial interpolation, contouring, 3D persective, raster
       processing (C code for workstations)


     moon.cecer.army.mil           [129.229.1.16]
       In addition to the GRASS GIS source code, there is an extensive
       database for the Spearfish (South Dakota) area to be used with
       grass.  Although intended for GRASS, some of the data could easily
       be used for other purposes and systems.

     pprg.eece.unm.edu             [129.24.24.10]
       directory: /pub/khoros/release
       Khoros is an integrated software development environment for
       information processing and visualization, based on X11R4.  Khoros
       components include a visual programming language, code generators
       for extending the visual language and adding new application
       packages to the system, an interactive user interface editor, an
       interactive image display package, an extensive library of image
       processing, numerical analysis and signal processing routines, and
       2D/3D plotting packages.

     spectrum.xerox.com            [192.70.225.78]
       directory: pub/map
       USGS DLG (all scales), DEM, DTM, TIGER
       Data exchange site for all kinds of public domain map data.
       **Probably the best site for finding map data in this list.

     vab02.larc.nasa.gov           [128.155.23.47]
       directory: pub/gifs/misc/landsat
       Landsat photos in GIF and JPEG format.  Great views of Boston,
       Washington DC, Cape Cod, NYC, Western Europe and other places.

     Telnet addresses
     -----------------------------
     epaibm.rtpnc.epa.gov 
       EPA National Library on-line database can be accessed for bibliographic
       searches.

     martini.eecs.umich.edu 3000   [141.212.99.9] [141.212.100.9]
       Geographic Name Server
       Zipcode, population, lat/long other stats from 1980 census for US
       cities.  Enter name of city at the (non-existant) prompt and
       press Enter.  Include state (as in Ipswich, MA) or you'll get
       that city's info in every state it is found.
         Contact: Tom Libert (GNS author) Univ of Michigan
                  libert@eecs.umich.edu

     nssdca.gsfc.nasa.gov
       NSSDC On-Line Data and Information Service.  Includes *NASA Master
       Directory* -- an online search system providing brief overview
       information about NASA and many important non-NASA space and earth
       science data, and data information systems.  
       login: nodis

     stis.nsf.gov                  [128.150.195.40]
       Science & technolgy Information Service STIS is maintained
       by the National Science Foundation.

     tycho.usno.navy.mil           [192.5.41.239]
       U.S. Naval Observatory Automated Data Service
       login: ads

     ------------------------------- 
     Bulletin Board: GISnet BBS [FAQ editor's note: subliminal msgs deleted :)]

       This is a PC Bulletin Board System  dedicated to GIS, digital
       cartography, desktop mapping, remote sensing interests Mapping
       software, data trasnlation, image processing, world-wide
       databases, 3D color GIF maps and landsat photos, daily weather
       maps and satellite photos, etc.

       To reach GISnet, fire up your modem and telecommications
       software, and dial (303) 447-0927.  Set your protocol to 8 data
       bits, no parity, 1 stop bit, and you can connect at speeds up to
       9600 baud (V.32), The system is open 24 hours a day, seven days a
       week.  Some files are free, but for the "real good stuff" there
       is a small fee for full access.

       GISnet BBS
       1401 Walnut St., suite C
       Boulder, CO  80302
       (303) 786-9961 (voice)


=========================================================================
 12: How do I order the Digital Chart of the World (DCW)

     >From: karl@grebyn.com (Karl A. Nyberg)

     To order the DCW package by mail, send to:

     USGS Open File Section
     Box 25286
     Denver, CO 80225
     303-236-7476

     Payment (check, money order, purchase order, or Government account)
     must accompany order.  Make all drafts payable to the Department of
     the Interior -- U. S. Geological Survey.

     The DCW package can also be purchased over-the-counter from any
     Earth Science Information Center by check, money order, purchase
     order, Government account, credit card, or cash.  Missing or
     defective material will be replaced free if reported to the office
     that took the order, by telephone or in writing, within 90 days of
     purchase.

     Cost $200 per package.

     Includes 4 CD ROMs, 3 5.25 and 3.5 floppies containing various
     source and executable files for VPFVIEW, a program for displaying
     the data on the PC.

     You need DOS 3.1 or higher, CD-ROM Extensions 2.0 or higher.
     80[23]86 with 80[23]87, VGA or EGA and arrow key, mouse, 30MB hard
     drive with at least 20 percent free 1MB RAM, CD ROM drive.

     I was told that the FASTEST way was to order it from Denver.  I
     sent in my check on 8/21 and received the package today from UPS.

     I believe that DoD components can order directly from DMA,
     although I don't know how.  That information is probably
     classified, and I don't have either a clearance OR a need to know.
     :-)

     There's apparently also a version of VPFVIEW in process for the
     Sun SPARC, with public availability estimated to be within the
     next couple months.  (That's what I'm looking forward to!)

     -- Karl --

=========================================================================
 13: How do I subscribe to GIS-L, MAPS-L, etc.

     1. To subscribe do the following:

        Send a mail to:   

            listserv@ubvm.cc.buffalo.edu

	with *no* subject and *only* one line of command in the body of
	message:

            subscribe gis-l Your_name

     2. To get off from a list, send a mail to:

            listserv@ubvm.cc.buffalo.edu

	with *no* subject, and *only* one line in the body of the msg:

            signoff gis-l

=========================================================================
 14: Will GRASS run under LINUX OS on my PC?

     [Eds. note:  We have not baked this in our test kitchens.  Write
     the contributor for more info.]

     From: asmall2@mach1.wlu.ca (alastair small 9209 G)

     It was a month or so ago, but I managed to get GRASS v4.0 running
     (with some hitches) on Linux ( a public domain unix for the PC).
     Some details are below:

     1: Hardware.  

	I was using a 486/33 with 8Meg RAM, 200Meg HD, Logitech BUS
	mouse, Super VGA card (ET4000 compatible). If you are serious
	about using a setup such as this I would recommend more RAM and
	definately a larger HardDrive.  As far as the video card, the
	version of Linux I was using would only support ET3000/4000 and
	a couple more that I can't recall (actually it's not Linux that
	has a problem with the cards, its X-Windows). I know there was
	a definate push to support more cards (ATI etc), but I'm not
	sure of the status.

     2: Software.

	Linux 0.96c with X11R5. I think the latest release is somewhere
	around 0.98+ (check comp.os.linux for details). Some ftp sites
	have pre-packaged versions of Linux that come with relatively
	easy to install instructions and a host of programs/utilities
	(i.e. Linux source and binaries, Gnu C compiler, Manual pages,
	editors, grep, etc,etc). They also have TCP/IP support now.
	There is also a growing list of programs that have been
	ported.

     3: Comments.

	There are quite a few changes that have to be made to get it to
	compile, which I could dig out if anyone is interested. There
	were also some problems that I never got round to fixing, but
	which could be overcome I'm sure. On the whole it was a nice
	system to use and was relatively fast (I compared the speed of
	displaying raster maps with a DEC 5000 station running Ultrix
	and it was significantly faster, bearing in mind that it is a
	multi-user system). If you have the hardware and some spare
	time on your hands, I would recommend trying it out.

     The following changes were made to get GRASS running:

     1: Run src/CMD/utils/setup

	Specify where to compile binaries, respond to various questions
	(in most cases, hit return for defaults.

     2: Edit src/CMD/lists/local

	Specify digitizer, paint, and graphics drivers. If this info is
	not available, comment out "none" for digitizer, "preview" for
	paint driver. You must change graphics driver from "CELL" to
	"XDRIVER"

     3: Edit src/CMD/lists/GRASS

	comment out raster/r.binfer (needs lex and yacc I think)
		    raster/r.mapcal (      "          "        )
		    raster/r.weight (      "          "        )

	I never got around to getting LEX for Linux. I think it's
	version is called FLEX and may be part of the installation
	package now. I know that BISON is the Linux version of yacc,
	and it works with a -y option to make it emulate yacc.

     4: Edit src/CMD/generic/GISGEN.sh

	Even though it says not to edit this file, you must change line
	#71 from:

            /etc/mknod $GISBASE/dev/fifo.$fifo$i p
        to:
            /bin/mkfifo $GISBASE/dev/fifo.$fifo$i p

	Alternatively, and probably easier, is to make a symbolic link
	from /bin/mkfifo to /etc/mknod.

     5: Edit src/libes/gis/Gmakefile

	Comment out line #106 - popen.o \
	This is standard library routine of GCC that does not have to be
        compiled.

     6: Edit src/display/devices/monitorcap

	Comment out lines #11,12,13 (other X terminals may be uncommented
        also):
		X0:driver/XDRIVER:X-windows graphics display: \
			BASEDIR/dev/fifo.1a BASEDIR/dev/fifo.1b  \ 
			::any terminal

     7: Edit src/display/devices/XDRIVER/XDRIVER/Gmakefile

	Change line #36 from:
 	          $(CC) $(LDFLAGS) $(OFILES) $(LIB) -lX11 $(MATHLIB)
	to:
		  $(CC) $(LDFLAGS) $(OFILES) $(LIB) -L/libs -lX11 $(MATHLIB)

     8: Edit src/display/devices/XDRIVER/XDRIVER/SWITCHER.c

	Change line #139 from:
			setpgrp(0,getpid());
	to:
			setpgrp(0);

     "setpgrp() is used to change the process group to be distinct from
     the process group of the keyboard. This prevents keyboard
     interrupts from unintentionally killing the monitor (ie if you
     comment this line out, run and interrupt any program, the monitor
     will also die).

     The problem is that some version of Unix have only one argument to
     setpgrp() and others have two. It is a hack, but the two argument
     call works even when only one is expected. However, GCC compiler
     notices and won't compile.  Replace this call with setpgrp(0) and
     see (1) if it compiles and (2) if it protected from interrupts."
     (Michael Shapiro)


     9: Edit src/fonts/for_grass/Gmakefile

	Change line #12 from: splitfont $(FONT) to: ./splitfont $(FONT)
	Change line #24 from: font.bin: font_2_bin $(RAWFONT) 
			  to: font.bin: ./font_2_bin $(RAWFONT)

     10: Edit src/display/d.profile/main.c

	Change line #352 from: cfree(profile.ptr); to: free(profile.ptr);

     11: Edit src/imagery/i.class/zoom_box.c and
	 src/imagery/i.points/zoom_box.c

	Declare the following statements before the zoom_box() function:

	static int cancel();
	static int zoom1();
	static int zoom2();

	and remove int cancel(); and int zoom1(); from within the zoom_box()
        function. It should look like the following:

        ----------------------------------------------------------------------
        #include "globals.h"


        static int x1, y1, x2, y2;
        static View *pick_view, *zoom_view, *main_view;
        
        static int cancel();
        static int zoom1();
        static int zoom2();
        
        zoom_box()
        {
            static int use = 1;
            static Objects objects[]=
            {
	        MENU("Cancel",cancel,&use),
	        INFO(" Mark first corner of window ",&use),
	        OTHER(zoom1,&use),
        -------------------------------------------------------------
        
     12: Edit src/imagery/i.target/ask_target.c
       
         Change line #11 from: strcpy(cur_location, location, cur_location);
                           to:   strcpy(cur_location, location);

=========================================================================
                        End of the GIS FAQ
Virgil Q. Sealy     | Internet: sealy@dg-rtp.dg.com
Data General Corp.  | Phone: (919) 549-8421 x6203
62 TW Alexander Dr. | Quote: I know that this is a frequently asked
RTP, NC 27709       |        question but what is an FAQ?
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU