GIS info

GIS = 'geographic information system'

It's a type of software that marries maps & spreadsheets. ('I now pronounce you....') As long as the spreadsheet has records that include a spatial reference (e.g., lat-lon coordinates or addresses), the GIS can plot the data. Once plotted, you can analyze the data with built-in tools.

Sounds like fun, right? Well, here is how you can get your hands on these things: 

Client-side options

• Cross-platform
  • My World GIS 5.0: http://www.pasco.com/myworld/ ...this is an evolutionary dead end (the software is no longer supported), so no guarantees. 
    • I also have an install file for My World 4.1 (whose interface I infinitely prefer), but it's PC-only. 
  • QGIS: http://www.qgis.org/ ...is an an open-source project, plus it's not dead. I've only used it once, way back in the day, so I'm not as familiar with it as the others. 
• PC-only: ArcGIS (requires Lehigh log-in, only for install on Lehigh-owned computers): http://software.lehigh.edu/install/ ...Scroll down (or search down) to 'Esri ArcGIS Desktop Suite'. Note that once you install, you'll also need the license from Scott Rutzmoser

Web-based option: ArcGIS Online is pretty much the only game in town. There are two levels of accounts:

• Free Public Account (be sure to choose 'Free Public Account' and not 'Organizational Account'!): http://www.arcgis.com/home/index.html
• Lehigh University organizational account: lu.maps.arcgis.com. Use your Lehigh computing ID to log in. 

List of bookmarks about GIS: https://delicious.com/tchammond/tlt394,GIS

Set of pages intro'ing client-side GIS. It's built with My World GIS in mind.

• What is GIS? 
• Why bother with GIS?
• I'm sold! How do I do this GIS thing? (intro)
• Doing GIS for real, this time (a deep dive)
• And now the training wheels are off! GIS under your own power