{
  "id": "1996-february-mapping-out-the-web",
  "slug": "1996-february-mapping-out-the-web",
  "url": "https://dwillis.github.io/uplink/article/1996-february-mapping-out-the-web.html",
  "year": 1996,
  "month": "February",
  "monthNum": 2,
  "headline": "Mapping out the Web",
  "kicker": "On the Internet",
  "author_name": "David Herzog",
  "author_title": "",
  "affiliation": "The Morning Call",
  "summary": "A guide to useful websites for learning about and working with geographic information systems (GIS), ranging from beginner resources to professional tools and data sources.",
  "keywords": [
    "GIS",
    "mapping",
    "data"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Technology",
    "Data & Databases"
  ],
  "technologies": [
    "ArcView",
    "MapInfo",
    "Atlas GIS",
    "Maptitude",
    "World Wide Web",
    "FTP",
    "CD-ROM"
  ],
  "full_text": "Whether you're a novice who wants to learn more about geographic information systems or a power user looking for files, you'll find a number of useful sites on the Internet's World Wide Web. Here are some of the best:\n\nCaliper Corp. This Massachusetts company makes Maptitude, a GIS package that comes with a load of useful data and maps. Cost is $395. www.caliper.com\n\nU.S. Census Bureau. This official Census site has all kinds of economic and demographic data on-line. In addition, you can get information about the Census' data products on CD-ROM and tape. www.census.gov\n\nConsortium for International Earth Sciences Information Network U.S. Demography page. CIESIN has 4 GB of compressed data and TIGER mapping files available for free download. www.ciesin.org/datasets/us-demog/us-demog-home.html\n\nEnvironmental Systems Research Institute. ESRI's web site has information about its ArcView GIS programs. Also, it has good general information for the beginner, including a glossary and \"Getting to Know Desktop GIS.\" www.esri.com\n\nGeographic Information Systems FAQ. This large (128 KB) file answers frequently asked questions regarding GIS. The subject matter, however, tends to be on the scholarly and arcane side. www.lib.ox.ac.uk/internet/news/faq/archive/geography.infosystems-faq.html\n\nGIS World Magazine. This magazine and its sister publication, Business Geographics (www.gisworld.com/mag/bg/index.html), put their indexes and sample articles on-line. www.gisworld.com/mag/gw/index.html\n\nMapInfo. The official home of MapInfo, maker of widely used GIS programs. Its web site includes product information, tech tips, training guides and user group lists. Also, you can download demo programs. www.mapinfo.com\n\nStrategic Mapping Inc. The home of Strategic Mapping, maker of the popular GIS package, AtlasGIS. Get product information and technical support files. You can download program demos. www.stratmap.com\n\nXerox Map download archive. You can find some TIGER and Census demographic files in this free download site maintained by Xerox Corp. ftp://spectrum.xerox.com\n\nDavid Herzog can be reached at (610) 820-6584, or send e-mail to herzog@pulitzer.mcall.com",
  "provenance": {
    "extracted_by": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-6",
    "extracted_at": "2026-07-05",
    "verified": true
  },
  "similar": [
    {
      "slug": "2000-september-for-more-information",
      "score": 0.407
    },
    {
      "slug": "1991-july-mapping-a-new-future-for-reporting",
      "score": 0.334
    },
    {
      "slug": "1998-september-discovering-intersections",
      "score": 0.33
    },
    {
      "slug": "1996-february-pick-a-mapping-program",
      "score": 0.328
    },
    {
      "slug": "2004-january-february-finding-files-for-mapping",
      "score": 0.323
    }
  ],
  "html_url": "https://dwillis.github.io/uplink/article/1996-february-mapping-out-the-web.html",
  "json_url": "https://dwillis.github.io/uplink/article/1996-february-mapping-out-the-web.json"
}