[OKGIS] Getting Started

Tue Feb 5 15:59:53 CST 2008

Hi Heathe,
If you are a linux/unix guru, you might want to look at
Mapserver. Although, technically not a GIS, it is robust and
well-maintained internet mapping software. It is Open source, freely
available, and runs on most versions of unix as well as windows. It
also has a wide following:

http://ms.gis.umn.edu/

Also, check out http://www.freegis.org/. You will find large
collection of software.  Some standalone GIS type applications, some
toolkits, many of which interact with ESRI shape files and other file
formats.

Also, ESRI has published a book: "Getting to know ArcGIS desktop"
which is a tutorial and includes an evaluation copy of ArcGIS
software.
Regards,
Rob

For some free gis software you can try epimap from the centers for diseas=
e control.  It is based on esri software but really low grade. It does ha=
ve tutorials but about 1/8th the capabilities of arcview.

Message sent from my blackberry.

----- Original Message -----
From: okgis-bounces at gis.gis.ou.edu <okgis-bounces at gis.gis.ou.edu>
To: Oklahoma GIS Community <okgis at gis.gis.ou.edu>
Sent: Mon Feb 04 16:03:27 2008
Subject: RE: [OKGIS] Getting Started

To unsubscribe go here:

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http://gis.ou.edu/mailman/listinfo/okgis

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Thanks!

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Leah

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From: okgis-bounces at gis.gis.ou.edu [mailto:okgis-bounces at gis.gis.ou.edu] =
On Behalf Of Julie Jorgensen
Sent: Monday, February 04, 2008 3:52 PM
To: Oklahoma GIS Community
Subject: RE: [OKGIS] Getting Started

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unsubscribe

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Julie Jorgensen

Evaluations Dept.

1 South Main Street, 5th Floor

Salt Lake City, Utah 84111

Phone: 801-844-7323

Fax: 801-524-2109

evaluations at zionsbank.com

________________________________

From: okgis-bounces at gis.gis.ou.edu [mailto:okgis-bounces at gis.gis.ou.edu] =
On Behalf Of Todd Fagin
Sent: Monday, February 04, 2008 2:27 PM
To: 'Oklahoma GIS Community'
Subject: RE: [OKGIS] Getting Started

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Hi Heathe,=20

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The Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) is in the process of putting t=
ogether an Associates degree in GIS.  They are offering their first GIS c=
lass this semester and hope to have the program in place by the fall seme=
ster (if I understand things correctly).

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Also, if you are just interested in GIS training, but not an actual degre=
e, the Moore-Norman Technology Center offers GIS training, as do a number=
 of private companies.  Additionally, organizations like the South-Centra=
l Arc Users Group (SCAUG) and Mid-America GIS Consortium (MAGIC) offer tr=
aining/seminars with some of their conferences.

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I would also highly recommend you try to make it out to GIS Day at the Ca=
pitol <http://okmaps.onenet.net/GIS_day.htm>  on March 12.  There, you ca=
n meet many individuals in the Oklahoma GIS community. =20

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I know this doesn=E2=80=99t answer all of your questions, but hopefully t=
his will put you on the right track. =20

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Todd Fagin

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Coordinate Solutions, Inc.

501 N.E. 15th St.

Oklahoma City, OK 73104

405.740.4324 (voice)

904.471.5548 (fax)

www.coordinatesolutions.com

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-----Original Message-----
From: okgis-bounces at gis.gis.ou.edu [mailto:okgis-bounces at gis.gis.ou.edu] =
On Behalf Of Heathe Kyle Yeakley
Sent: Monday, February 04, 2008 2:53 PM
To: okgis at gis.gis.ou.edu
Subject: [OKGIS] Getting Started

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Hello, my name is Heathe and I am interested in changing careers into=20

GIS. I currently work as a Unix/Linux Systems Administrator for the US=20

Government. I have an Associates degree in Telecommunications from=20

OSU-OKC and haven't yet finished a 4 year degree. I heard about GIS a=20

few years back and thought it sounded interesting at the time, but I=20

didn't give it much thought. Recently, however, I've started thinking=20

about changing careers and GIS is the field I'd like to pursue.

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My question is, where do I start? I've looked for GIS degree programs at=20

the local 4 year schools and haven't found anything. Yes, UCO and OU=20

have classes on GIS that are part of the curriculum for a Geography (or=20

related) degree, but I haven't found a course of study specifically on GI=
S.

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What type of skills and education do prospective employers want in a GIS=20

Analyst? Geography, Engineering, Physics? From what I've read the field=20

sounds extremely diverse. I'd be happy to finish a 4-year degree if I=20

knew what to major in.

=20

What about local resources? If I wanted to just volunteer somewhere to=20

get some hands on experience so that I'm not completely green to the=20

field, whom should I contact. If I'm not cut out for this line of work=20

I'd really like to find out now and save myself and any prospective=20

future employers any headaches.

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Thanks in advance for your responses.

=20

- Heathe

-- 
-------------------
Robert G. Piepul
PO Box 52405
Tulsa OK 74152-0405
918-749-8454
918-813-6995 (C)