----------------------------Original message---------------------------- The following message, posted to GOVDOC-L, contains recommended minimum specifications for libraries wishing to utilize federally produced spatial data from the United States government. John Stevenson University of Delaware Library ---------- Forwarded message ---------- >Date: Tue, 11 Jun 1996 09:56:10 -0400 >From: Shipment <[log in to unmask]> >To: Multiple recipients of list GOVDOC-L <GOVDOC-L@PSUVM> >Subject: ADNOTES: SPATIAL DATA SUPPLEMENT TO RECOMMENDED MINIMUM >SPECIFICATIONS THE MESSAGE BELOW IS FROM ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES, VOL. 17, #08 (June 15, 1996) SPATIAL DATA SUPPLEMENT TO RECOMMENDED MINIMUM SPECIFICATIONS FOR PUBLIC ACCESS WORK STATIONS IN FEDERAL DEPOSITORY LIBRARIES In the May 15, 1996 issue of Administrative Notes the Library Programs Service (LPS) published the "Recommended Minimum Specifications for Public Access Work Stations in Federal Depository Libraries." Those specifications are intended to assist depository librarians who are planning purchases of new personal computers (PCs) for public use in Federal depository libraries, and should be adequate for most general FDLP electronic products. However, as noted in that article, we were advised that work stations which conform to those minimum specifications may not be adequate for electronic spatial data, to run geographic information system (GIS) software, or to print maps from electronic sources. The Cartographic Users Advisory Council (CUAC) has assisted LPS in the development of this supplemental set of specifications which support spatial data applications. All of the caveats concerning work stations and software expressed in the May 15, 1996 article also apply to depository libraries which elect to serve the public with electronic spatial data. Minimum Work Station Configuration for Spatial Data Computer IBM-compatible Pentium chip computer operating at 100 mhz or higher Memory 32 megabytes (Mb) of RAM Hard Disk Drive 2 gigabytes (Gb) capacity with access to additional storage; 12 ms or less access time; IDE or SCSI interface Floppy Disk 3.5" high density drive. Consider a 5.25" drive if you have a collection of 5.25" diskettes that have not yet been converted to 3.5". Expansion Three free expansion bus board slots; 1 or more additional hard drive bay(s) desirable; 2 serial ports and 1 parallel port. Consider Enhanced Parallel Port or other high speed printing connection. Monitor 21" monitor. Super VGA (SVGA) compatible, with at least 70Mhz vertical refresh rate at 1024x768 resolution non-interlaced, 0.28 or smaller dot pitch; display card which supports 1024x768 resolution at 70Mhz or faster. 4 Mb video RAM. CD-ROM Drive For stand-alone use, single or multiple platter drive (ISO 9660 standard). 300 K/byte per second transfer rate, quadruple (4X) speed support. CD-ROM XA support. Printer Color ink jet plotter, 36", 300 dpi, 68 Mb or more memory, or access to a comparable networked printer. Pointing Device Microsoft-compatible mouse or similar pointing device to support programs and Microsoft Windows. Network Connection Direct Internet or SLIP/PPP connection. Or Modem 28.8 kbps data transfer rate, meeting V.32, V.42, V.42bis or MNP 5 standards and compatible with Hayes "AT" command set. Operating System Microsoft Windows 3.1 or later (requires MS-DOS 3.3 or higher). Device driver for CD-ROM drive and MS-DOS CD-ROM extensions. Communications Package which supports multiple file transfer protocols; several terminal emulations such as ANSI-BBS, TTY, VT-100. Data transfer rates up to 28.8 kbps. Supports Hayes "AT" compatible modems; manages telnet sessions. Consider ability to "script" log-on files. Client Software World Wide Web graphical browser with forms support. ANSI Z39.50 compatible, GILS-aware WAIS client. Consider EINet WinWais customized for GPO Access. Viewers PDF file viewer. GIF, GEOTIFF, TIFF, and JPEG graphics viewers. Applications Software Options Database dBASE file format compatible or dBASE and ASCII comma delimited file importing database management software; useful to have fixed field format (SDF) import ability. Spreadsheet Lotus .WK1 file format compatible software; support for other formats such as Excel and Quattro Pro. Word Processing Software capable of importing major text file formats (Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, Multimate, etc.) and ASCII text files. Viewing Software Viewing software for raster data, such as Photo Shop or Print Shop. Mapping Software Data manipulation package, such as ArcView 2.1 or higher, Landview, MapInfo, or other similar packages.