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Equipment And Texts

Computer | GPS | Software | Texts

What computer hardware will I need for this program?

Face-to-face program:

Students in the face-to-face program will be required to have their own laptop computer capable of running ArcGIS 10 Desktop and storing large geo-referenced databases. Under an agreement with ESRI Canada, Vancouver Island University’s IT department will make the software available to students and will have the software available on an appropriate server. Students, however, will be responsible for maintaining and backing up their own laptop computers.

Students are required to purchase their own laptop computers. The system has to meet ESRI requirements.

Some other notes regarding computer recommendations:

  • We would recommend at least a 15" display. The new wide-format screens are particularly nice, since you will want to display your lab assignment on one side, and have ArcMap running on the other.
  • If you can afford it, buy a name brand computer. We recommend Dell (web/phone sales only), Toshiba, HP, Compaq, or Lenovo. For this program, you will want a machine that you can really work hard on. You are much less likely to have a problem with a name brand machine.
  • Regarding Mac computers: Whether or not your Mac computer will be able to run the ArcGIS software depends on how new it is. ArcGIS needs a Windows Operating System in order to run. Most newer Macs (with Intel chips) should be above to run a Windows Operating System in a virtual environment using software such as Mac Boot Camp.
  • Building 180, where the lab is, now offers wireless web access, so if you wish to use this, you will want an 802.11g compatible card. The room also has jacks for regular network access.
  • You will want to choose a computer that has good battery life, for those times when you will want to work on your computer without access to a powered connect.
  • Keep your eyes open for sales. Most mid to high-end laptops now meet the requirements for the program. Be sure to double check against the ESRI requirements, though.
  • Buy your laptop from a reputable dealer who will service their product, or online from Dell. We have had an average of one broken laptop per semester, so make sure that you can get your computer repaired promptly if the worst happens.

Online program:

Students entering the online program require a Pentium 4+ desktop or laptop computer (less than 5 years old).

An OpenGL 1.3 or above compliant video card is required, with at least 32 mb of video memory (64 mb video memory recommended). Note: The Windows Vista Aero interface requires a minimum of 64 mb video memory (256 mb recommended for best appearance). A Windows XP-like interface is available for machines that do not meet these requirements.

Online students need a broadband Internet connection (ADSL, Cable Modem, or Fibre Optic connection) so that they can rapidly transfer data to and from the VIU server computers on which most of their lab work will be done. Please note: A cabled connection between your router and computer is required for proper operation of the Remote Desktop connection software. Wireless connections (802.11a/b/g or n) cause frequent disconnections which will significantly interrupt your work.

Regarding Mac computers: Whether or not your Mac computer will be able to run the ArcGIS software depends on how new it is. ArcGIS needs a Windows Operating System in order to run. Most newer Macs (with Intel chips) should be above to run a Windows Operating System in a virtual environment using software such as Mac Boot Camp.

What software will I need for this program?

Under an agreement with ESRI Canada, Vancouver Island University's IT department makes the full suite of ESRI ArcGIS software available to students while they are enrolled in the ADGISA program (including the off-campus GIS project work), and for 4 months following their completion of the program. Students may also take additional online courses with ESRI at no extra charge. Supplementary GIS and web mapping software will also be used in the delivery of the program. Software supplied by the ADGISA program is for academic use only, both during and after completion of the program.

Students are required to have Microsoft Windows Vista Business or Ultimate Editions, Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate, or Windows XP Professional as an operating system and MS Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint on their computers. You may be able to obtain a discount on Office Professional as a Vancouver Island University student. Click here for information on how to obtain 'the Ultimate Steal' (a potential savings of over $400) on Microsoft Office 2010 as a Vancouver Island University student.

In the online program, you log onto one of our servers in Nanaimo and do most of your work there. Students will need to have a PC running Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 that can run Remote Desktop. You will need a broadband connection and a web browser (Internet Explorer or Firefox). Some form of Office suite, such as Microsoft Office or OpenOffice.org is necessary for writing assignments and performing spreadsheet calculations.

What additional equipment will I need for this program?

For the Online ADGISA Program ONLY:

For Geography 525 - Global Positioning Systems, students will need to have access to a quality, recreational-grade GPS receiver. We recommend that students have access to a Garmin eTrex Vista GPS receiver or equivalent (about $250) for the duration of the course.

Garmin eTrex Vista receivers are available from many suppliers of GPS equipment. A list of Garmin resellers can be found at http://www8.garmin.com/cgi-bin/dealers.pl?country=Canada&dealer_type=R&SUBMIT2=Show+Dealers+for+this+Country

Other GPS receivers may be used in the program, provided that they meet the following requirements:

The GPS receiver should have the following characteristics:

  • External cable or Bluetooth interface to your PC
  • > 8 Mb internal memory
  • Barometric Altimeter
  • WAAS (Wide-Area Augmentation System) or EGNOS (European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service) Capable*

*WAAS provides wide-area differential correction of GPS signals for students in British Columbia, Southern Ontario, the United States, and Northern Mexico. Students in the remainder of Canada and elsewhere in North and South America cannot use WAAS signals, so this feature is not required. European students may wish to find a receiver that can use European EGNOS correction signals.

VIU staff will provide full support for students with eTrex Vista GPS Receivers and partial support for other Garmin GPS receivers. Students using non-Garmin units may have to solve specific technical issues on their own related to uploading and downloading data from their GPS receiver.

Note: GPS units are provided for student use while they are enrolled in the ADGISA in-class face-to-face program.

What texts will I need for this program?

For the Online ADGISA Program ONLY:

Required Text:

Chang, Kang-Tsung (2009). Introduction to Geographic Information Systems, 5th Ed. New York: McGraw-Hill. ISBN-10: 0071267581; ISBN-13: 978-0071267588. Search www.amazon.ca, www.chapters.indigo.ca, or www.amazon.com for current pricing - just be sure that the ISBN # matches the listed ISBN #s below to ensure that you are looking at the correct textbook.

Recommended Text:

O'Sullivan, D and Unwin, D. (2002) Geographic Information Analysis. Wiley. ISBN-10: 0471211761; ISBN-13: 978-0471211761. Search www.amazon.ca, www.chapters.indigo.ca, or www.amazon.com for current pricing - just be sure that the ISBN # matches the listed ISBN #s above to ensure that you are looking at the correct textbook.

Note: No texts are required for the in-class face-to-face program.