Compares more favorably with ArcInfo with each new version. ArcExplorer- a free GIS available at ESRI s web site that offers the very basics. Good for fieldwork. It is important to find qualified individuals who not only know how to operate the software but understand the theory behind spatial analysis. These skilled professionals should be bowed to daily since they are the most important element of a successful GIS and should be paid accordingly.
Data is widely available from a variety of different sources and in a variety of different formats.
Federal agencies such as the BLM, the Forest Service and the Park Service as well as state agencies such as AGRC and DNR are all valuable sources of data. The costs for implementing a GIS include all of the above- hardware, software, warmware, data acquisition as well as keeping the data maintained. This process involved converting the initial road data from UTM format to SP83. It was necessary to go out and drive the roads for information not available. The original number of roads was around 3500 and since then has more than doubled.