----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Just a followup to my complaint of late last fall about how much _work_ GIS was proving to be. Since that time, the Systems folks here have installed something called Direct Access, a program that allows users to get directly to each of our several kinds of mapping software--without having to know the right DOS command or Windows icon, much less how to use DOS or Windows. It's the same software that's used upstairs on the social science and humanities work stations, so it looks familiar, at least to local users. Direct Access even comes with help screens that can be used to provide instructions on what to do _after_ logging in. Mostly though it's been useful in eliminating "how to get started"-type questions. In fact it's worked wonderfully well at just about eliminating these. This is not an advertisement! I'm sure there must be analogous (or better) arrangements--in fact, I'd be grateful to hear about them. Chris Winters U. of Chicago Library Bitnet: uclwint@uchimvs1 Internet: [log in to unmask]