Last Modified: 16 November 1997

Products available from the Institute

This page provides more detailed information about the various products which are available from us and how you might go about obtaining them.

Contents

The Institute Electronic Publishing Group specialises in the development of multimedia training and awareness materials and interactive information systems. Available products include the Generic Quiz Application.

The GIS Survival Guide

An introduction for first-time GIS users and buyers who need more than a trade leaflet but less than a textbook.
The Guide has been produced as part of the UK Information Technology Training Initiative (ITTI). It was written by Professor Michael J Clark of the GeoData Institute and University of Southampton.

The 40 page Guide aims to support those who need to decide on an investment or implementation strategy for Geographical Information Systems (GIS). It assumes a basic knowledge of computer systems, but none of GIS. The approach will suit the potential user, IT system specialist or general manager about to become involved in GIS development.

From a review in the International Journal of Remote Sensing, 1994, vol 15, no 9, pp1949-1950:

The GIS Survival Guide marks an alternative to more substantial texts. ...Applied IT courses with a broader base may find it useful as supplementary reading. It provides a `taster' of the technology and the issues surrounding GIS implementation as part of an integrated IT strategy. Decision makers who read the advice and follow up the range of issues covered in the book will be in a better position to decide whether or not to proceed with GIS. It is only a starting point but I know of no better place to start.
The publication gives a solid grounding in the concepts of GIS and is a good buy for anyone about to purchase or start using a geographical information systems.

As part of the ITTI project, these materials are available at cost to the UK academic community. They are already in regular use at more than 200 educational institutions. They are also available commercially and to organisations outside the UK, please contact us for details.

Here is a snippet from the GIS Survival Guide
Here's a picture of the front cover!

Obtaining the materials

The GIS Awareness Package

Another ITTI product from the Institute, The GIS Awareness Package is a booklet covering the basics of GIS, plus four PC based tutorials each lasting approximately 30 minutes. The tutorials will run on any IBM compatible PC and may be copied within your organisation. No licence is required to run these materials on a network.

The Awareness tutorial defines GIS, its components and illustrates how points, lines, areas, surfaces and networks are used to represent the real world. Functionality is explored with the provision of a number of applications.
Here are some sample screens from the tutorial: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

The second tutorial offers an in-depth introduction to Overlay Analysis and Modelling. A number of topics are covered including feature extraction and predictive modelling together with practical examples. (Sample screens: 1, 2).

A Digital Elevation Modelling covers the steps involved in their production, the use of datasets derived from such models, and a number of applications. These include their use with soil erosion modelling, bathymetric change, precipitation and archaeological sites. (Sample screens: 1, 2).

The fourth tutorial, Data Entry into GIS offers an overview of types and sources of data and how such data are entered into GIS. Coverage is made of digital data, paper records, aerial photographs, video and remotely sensed data, digital elevation models and multimedia. (Sample screens: 1, 2).

From a review in Mapping Awareness, October 1993, vol 7, no 8, p48:
...the package represents exceedingly good value for money and will have broad appeal as an educational tool in the academic and commercial sectors, as well as in the GIS user community.
From the Computers in Teaching Initiative (CTI) Newsletter, August 1993, no 9, p3:
Had this been my first exposure to GIS I would have come away feeling confident that I had understood the basic principals involved and that I could manipulate spatial data by computer.
Here is the GIS Awareness booklet which accompanies the package.
Here's a picture of the front cover!

Obtaining the materials

Southampton City Greenways
GIS Awareness Data Set

Boundaries of 65 ecological units and attribute data for each are provided in addition to enumeration district boundaries of Southampton City and their population Statisitics. Analysis suggestions are provided. The data is available in DXF format and comma-delimited ASCII files.

The Greenways data set has been produced by the GeoData Institute as part of the Information Technology Training Initiative (ITTI) in England. It would be useful for anyone using a new GIS and wanting to experiment with some real spatial data.

Here are some sample screens showing the data set in use: 1, 2, 3, 4.

Obtaining the materials

Interactive 1991 Census Tutorials

As part of the ESRC/UFC-ISC 1991 Census of Population Initiative of England and Wales, a team at the GeoData Institute produced a series of five PC based interactive training materials for all users of the 1991 census.

Each tutorial takes the user through a census topic with explanatory text, diagrams and tables illustrating a particular aspect of the census. The tutorials allow the user to learn about the census at their own pace, and may be used for individual study or as part of a census training programme.

The user moves around the tutorials by using a mouse of cursor keys to select topics, display explanations or view examples. Each contains full on-screen help, topic index and reference list, and comes with instructions and topic notes.

Each tutorial pack contains two 3.5" disks, with tutorial files, installation instructions and a 12 page guide with topic notes and a tutorial overview. The tutorials will run on any IBM compatible PC.

Here's a sample screen from the tutorials.

Obtaining the materials

Environmental Assessment - the Isle of Wight

We have a small number of surplus copies of the following publication:

The Environment of The Western Isle of Wight and West Solent
M.J. Clark and C.T. Hill
GeoData Institute, University of Southampton
1991

Comprising a 130 page A4 soft bound book with numerous diagrams and tables, this publication would be suitable as an environmental assessment teaching aid for undergraduates. We are making them available for £10 (UK pounds) inclusive of postage and packaging in the UK.

The chapter headings are:

  1. Introduction to the study
  2. The Physical Environment
  3. Ecology and Nature Conservation Status
  4. Land and Water Use
  5. Landscape and Resource Conservation Policies
  6. Cultural Heritage and Archaeology
  7. Problems associated with the West Wight Coast and Offshore Zone
  8. Environmental Sensitivities
  9. References

If you are interested in obtaining the publication, see our ordering information, or e-mail us at geodata@soton.ac.uk.

Obtaining materials from the GeoData Institute

The following list show prices in UK Pounds for the UK academic community (please see the order form or contact us if you are not part of this group):

GIS Survival Guide - £3

GIS Awareness Package (4 Tutorials included) - £20

(above Tutorials available separately - see order form)

Southampton City Greenways GIS Awareness Data Set - £10

Interactive 1991 Census Tutorials (5 Tutorials included) - £60

(above Tutorials available separately - see order form)

Please use the ORDER FORM if you would like to purchase any of the above materials.

GeoData Institute, Products
jds@geodata.soton.ac.uk