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
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