Anyone have any experience with GIS/GPS software...?

[achtungbaby]

I'm using a program called MapInfo right now to map out legislative districts -- what a monumental pain in the ass this is.

[teaz0r]

is that the navigation panel thingy in the car?

[bluemonq]

wait if you're mapping out stuff, why are you using gps software? to find coordinates of boundaries? or are you trying to do something else? i just usually look up the coords online and mark'em on a paper map. unless you're plotting some sort of route...

[kitty]

I think usually you have to look up GPS info to do GIS stuff. But I'm no pro. I used to leave that mess to the computer lab techs who had taken courses in that stuff.

[achtungbaby]

is that the navigation panel thingy in the car?

Pretty much. Only for my organization's purposes...we're using it as a tool for health advocacy/planning/etc. Typical GIS software will allow you to input demographic data on a specific region, and then folks can query it for research. My department is using it to track the number of small to large project grantees we have per legislative district in LA.

[achtungbaby]

wait if you're mapping out stuff, why are you using gps software? to find coordinates of boundaries? or are you trying to do something else? i just usually look up the coords online and mark'em on a paper map. unless you're plotting some sort of route...Because redistricting is such a sensitive issue, folks use software for this sort of thing to ensure that nothing's left out, I guess.

Anyway, I was sorta panicking last night but then this morning, after staring at the screen long enough and remaining completely still, it suddenly made sense:) Thanks!

Closing...