Robert/ donna et al,
We use ArcInfo, ArcView, MapInfo, and occassionaly AutoCAD,
Pamap, and Illustrator. Each progam has their strong points
but the problem of handling multiple datasets which are
identical in content but different in format is a major
pain in the asp. Recently I discovered a misclassified
road. It took me 5 minutes to fix it once in ArcInfo. And
then another 5 to fix it again in MapInfo. And then...
Several times we've contemplated settling down on just one
program, but no single program ever meets all of our needs.
We're also leary of putting all our eggs in one basket.
What if, say, ESRI decides Avenue is no more and development
and support cease? Or MapInfo decides a minumum of 5 clicks
is okay for turning layers on and off forevermore?
My biggest wish is for the development and widespread
adoption of a non-proprietary "GISML" standard so the
mapping community can reap similar benefits to what we've
seen with HTML and the world wide web. I bet I've spent
at least 30% of my GIS time in the last 8 years "merely"
massaging and pummeling data from one program format to
another.
So yes, multiple GISs are common, but be sure you look
before you leap. :)
cheers,
-matt
========================================
Matt Wilkie * GIS Technician * Yukon Renewable Resources GIS
http://renres.gov.yk.ca/pubs/rrgis/
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