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