Getting to Know ArcGIS Desktop

by Tim Ormsby, Eileen J. Napoleon, Robert Burke

Getting to Know ArcGIS Desktop introduces principles of GIS as it teaches the mechanics of using ESRI’s leading technology. Key concepts are combined with detailed illustrations and step-by-step exercises to acquaint readers with the building blocks of ArcGIS® Desktop including ArcMap™, for displaying and querying maps, ArcCatalog™, for organizing geographic data, and ModelBuilder™, for diagramming and processing solutions to complex spatial analysis problems. Its broad scope, simple style, and practical orientation make this book an ideal classroom text and an excellent resource for those learning GIS on their own. A data CD for working through the exercises and a fully functioning 180-day trial ArcGIS® Desktop 10 software is included.

Genres: Geography, Textbooks, Reference, Nonfiction, Academic, School

592 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2001

Reviews

[Karina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This spoon feeds ArcGis to you but is great if you're teaching yourself or need a refresher. I feel like with this book, I really didn't need the professor around.

[Granite]

good

[CTEP]

I used the knowledge about GIS mapping gained from these books to make maps to support some of the programming that we are doing. Namely, I mapped out demographic characteristics that tend to indicate the possible presence of a digital divide in Minneapolis and St. Paul

Why should other corps members read or not read this book?

No, unless you plan on using ArcGIS (the specific program). If you do plan on using the ridiculously complex program, then I would recommend reading them as they help clarify some things and are useful exercises.

[Judi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great way to learn the basics.

[Andrew Dalgleish · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was required reading for an introduction to GIS. While the quality of the publishing was good (colour photos, crisp text), the content would have been better condensed and distributed as a PDF. Most of the content is step by step with screen-shots to guide you, but its totally dumbed down.
For example: 1. Turn on computer. 2. Open this file. 3. Click here, click there. This book has zero re-usability, as once you've walked through the tutorials, so you will get rid of it as i did.

[Krischelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's so basic you don't even really need a class to go with it, as it tells you how to do things step by step. With screenshots.

I give it a 5 because it comes with a trial version of ArcGIS (the one I have is 9.2, which is the latest version) and a 90-day license so you can play around with it. ArcGIS license are not cheap so this is a great value for what it is.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very easy to follow, with fun examples - and the 180-days of free ArcGIS software that comes with the book helps immensely. Really, really well laid out and helpful examples. Wish it didn't weigh so much though - it's a heck of a book to lug around.

[Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book for anyone wanting to get a start in ArcGIS. It also has many basic tips for those who already know ArcGIS fairly well. I first opened this book after two years of GIS classes at a major university and I still picked up on new things.

[Sumya]

i like this

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good basic intro. Doesn't get into editing or anything really complex. It doesn't take that long to master the basics if you're a quick learner, and this book doesn't cover much beyond that.

[Frederick · Rating 4 out of 5]

ESRI is the microsoft of GIS! the book is the best way I know of to learn ESRI's software.

[millimiles · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty good intro for dummies

[Erik Stieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be my future career

[Sarah]

A very useful book for beginners in GIS.

[Amaraa · Rating 2 out of 5]

gdfgs

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I cracked this book open once... I used the custom lab manual much more. If I had known that I would not have rented this book. Live and learn.

Used for GEOG 3500 Intro to GIS