The computer system you need to run the typical graphical software and
data in a Map Collection is changable as is all computer technology.  You
need to cut down the bottle-necks that large graphic files create in computer
systems.  What I think you need, and remember I am NOT a specialist in this
tech but just a very interested lurker, includes:
 
1.  A fast CPU:  486-33 is slow but workable; 486-50 is probably the best buy
                 for your money; 486-66 is better if the other system factors
                 support the chip.
     DX or SX:   You should get a DX chip for the added power you get crunching
                 numbers.
 
     double speed ( a 486DX2-66 for example):  Costs more but may be worth the
                 added speed if the rest of your(expensive) system supports it.
 
2.  RAM:  16MB will work ok right now for most systems.  8 MB is lowest level
          you should accept.
 
3.  Bus:  If you want those large files to move with any speed through your PC
          you need an EISA machine at least, but I would prefer a VESA Local
          Bus.  What you want depends on the other components of the system.
          You need the local bus and a good video card.
 
4.  Hard Drive:  Get as much space as you can afford.  It will still not be
          enought.You need to pay attention to the retrieval time on the hard
           drive.  SCSI drives and a local bus can give you high speeds but at
          some added cost and components.  You will probably want to hook the
          cpu to several drives (CD-ROM, Hard Disk, soft disks), a printer(s),
          a scanner, and etc., which will probably force you to use SCSI.
 
5.  Other components:  The machine needs 256K cache at least,    a very good
          video card (1 MB),  expansion room - something from 6 16-Bit ISA
          slots and 2 32-bit VESA local bus slots, or 8 32-bit EISA slots.
 
 
6.  Monitor:  15 to 17 inch SVGA,  non-interlaced, high refresh rate, and tiny
          dot pitch, high resolution are important.  A 17" monitor that you
          will run at 1,024 x 768 resolution should have a dot pitch of about
          0.28 and a refresh rate of about 70 Hz.  That is for you moderate
          cost monitor.  A flat-screen , high resolution monitor for GIS work
          is another animal, especially in cost.
 
7.  CD-ROM:  You will need double-speed drives to speed up the data flow.
 
8.  LAN:  If the workstation is to be connected to you University's broadband,
          that is the rest of campus and the world, your machine will need a
          NIC card (Network Interface Card).  Get what your local techies tell
          you.  If you set up your own LAN you will need a server (a computer
          designed to run the LAN system).  You will also need LAN software,
          software to manage peripherals, hardware adapters, and mass storage
          (a very large hard disk), with a CD-ROM stack being a strong option.
          You will also have to learn to be a LAN administrator, which pays a
          lot more than a map librarian gets in today's market.
 
8.  Modem:  The system should have a 14.4 fax-modem so that you can connect to
            sites not on the broadband and so you can call-in to monitor and
            maintain (or use) the system.
 
     I would be interested in what the people out in the GIS land think of
this outline.
 
Johnnie Sutherland
Curator of Maps
University of Georgia
Athens, GA