Geoff Carver forwarded a message from  Dr Detlef Gronenborn:
 
> > Two programs seem to be at hand: ArcInfo and MapInfo.
> >
> > My question therefore: what are the experiences with MapInfo and how well
> > does the datalink with ArcInfo work ?
 
Lester Ross is right, ArcView is the ESRI equivalent of MapInfo, both are
relatively easy to learn and use. ArcInfo, on the other hand, is an extremely
powerful top end GIS and is fiendishly difficult - especially for first time
users. If you do not have access to ArcView you do not have a problem, MapInfo
will do all the things you require within a fairly straightforward windows
interface. I have used it in all the situations you describe.
 
Communication between GIS programs is becoming a lot easier and more reliable an
d
even if direct export/import capability is not available there are lots of
work-arounds. We use MapInfo in many archaeological applications as well as a
means of teaching GIS at undergraduate and post-graduate level. I am writing thi
s
at the end of teaching the first day of a 10 day intensive course for 16 people.
 
Guidance and resources are available (in English) at the VISTA web site hosted b
y
the University of Sydney at:
 
http://www.archaeology.usyd.edu.au/resources/index.html
 
--
cheers,
Andrew
===============================================================
 
Andrew Wilson
Archaeology A14
University of Sydney 2006
Australia
 
[log in to unmask]
http://www.archaeology.usyd.edu.au/
tel +61 2 9351 3142
fax +61 2 9351 6392