Geog 417

Lab #6: Geodatabases

Ok - the latest and greatest file type for storing ESRI GIS data is the 'geodatabase'. For all the fancy words, it's really just an access database (and yes, you can open them in Access, though I don't recommend it, as you might, somehow, mess it up).

ESRI is doing their best to get everyone to migrate off shapefiles and coverages and onto this format. Because ESRI desires it, we must follow, as they are writing all their new code to only work on geodatabases. In particular, many of the fancy editing tools only work on geodatabase files.

From a user perspective, they are just another spatial data format, albeit one which larger and larger percentages of ESRI code can work with.

However, when building and organizing them, they are a bit different than shapefiles and coverages. As such, we have to spend a little time messing with them.

Let's start by bashing through Chapter 14 in the Green Book (remember it from intro GIS?). It's a quick chapter. Work through it. Save a screenshot of the final step (16 on page 381). [shift-print screen, then paste it into a word document].

Next, I have codes for an ESRI online course: Basics of the Geodatabase Data Model. See me for the specific code.

Easiest way to get to it is 1) goto http://training.esri.com/campus/myoffice/mycourses/index.cfm (create a username/passwd if you haven't done one of these before, otherwise log in using whatever you old username is). Start a new course. Enter your access code. Go. And then you should be off and running.

Go through the entire class. Be sure to WATCH THE PRESENTATION. It will take an hour, so settle in with your headphones and a good cuppa joe (or poison of choice). When you are done, take the test. Give me another screenshot of your test score.

Also, in a page or so, give me an evaluation of this course. It's my first use of an ESRI online course and I would like your feedback. Relate it to other online courses you have taken in the past (if you have).

So: hand in the two screenshots and the one page writeup.

2 points. Due Friday, 22 May..