----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Claire asks about displaying electronic maps in the classroom. I think you should really consider the more generic question of classroom projection systems for computers. The reason is that the same issues apply to projecting nearly everything but straight text (and if your faculty are doing only that, you might want to rethink altogether ;-) Anyway, I have been doing projection of computer screens for something like 8 years now and have used practically every kind of alternative projection system from GE PJ light valves ($100Kbucks and up) to the new CCD projectors to Barcos to color and wimpy monochrome LCD pads. There are basically three issues: 1. The amount of detail and number of colors you need to project 2. Whether there is movement on your computer display, i.e., animation 3. The size of room you need to project into, i.e., the size of the audience With respect to item 1, if the detail is basically a single pixel wide in your computer graphic, you won't be able to see it except with a Barco. If you have more than 8-bits of color (256 colors) you need a Barco or better. If you will be showing multimedia or video through window, you need a Barco or better. If you have movement on your computer screen as with animation, it gets very smeary on nearly every LCD pad I've used (one exception; I can't remember the brand now, but it was in Europe). In one of my presentations, I have video which plays back on an NTSC screen or on a 24-bit color computer screen just fine but looks really crummy on anything but a Barco or a CCD projector. If you will be projecting into a room of less than about 100 people and are not otherwise constrained as above, a color LCD panel will probably do for you. If it's more than 100 and less than about 275, look for a Barco or equivalent projection system. If it's more than about 275 or 300 people, try to get a CCD projector (these have basically replaced the GD PJ light valves and give absolutely excellent quality projection in rooms up to at least 4000 people -- that's the biggest crowd we've ever had). The one remaining issue is that you'll have to have a REAAALLLLY big screen if you have to go to the CCD projector (like 16' by 20' or bigger). HTH. virginia(I have a bazillion parts but none of them are spare)h