4: Decide How Much GIS Do You Need to Really Know

Am I building a database from scratch, or analyzing existing data?

Or both?

• Building a new database from scratch is more expensive in both time and money. You or someone on your team will need to know ARC/INFO well.
  
• Working with existing data gives you a head start. You and your staff may be able to do most things in ARCView.
  
• Most likely, you'll want to do both -- My Strategy
  • Learn only what I absolutely need to know in ARC/INFO (i.e. digitizing, overlays)
  • Use the ARCTools interface (so I don't have to remember commands)
  • Utilize on-line World Wide Web resources (like the Neophyte's Guide)
  • Try to build a knowledgable project team, with people of different skills and abilities
  • Do what you must in ARC/INFO then immediately export and FTP the file back to PC ARCView

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