2002 Intermountain GIS Conference Workshops

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Workshop Co-Chairs

 

Bob Holliday

Geographic Information Systems Bureau

Montana Department of Administration

Information Technology Services Division

PO Box 200113

Helena, MT 59620-0113

rholliday@state.mt.us

 

 

Stuart Challender

Bridger GeoPlan Inc.

P.O. Box 2019

Bozeman, MT 59771-2019

phone (406) 556-0544 fax (406) 556-0545

schallender@bridgergeoplan.co

 

 

Workshop Schedule

 

Tuesday, April 9, Montana State University, Bozeman
Building Abreviations: SUB = Strand Union Building, and MUS = Musuem of the Rockies

1.Visual Basic Programming Essentials SUB 276   8:30 AM-5:00 PM   Cost $80.00
2.Introduction to Remote Sensing MUS Seminar Room   8:30 AM-5:00 PM   Cost $80.00
3.Hands on Metadata Roberts 109   8:30 AM-5:00 PM   Cost $80.00
4.Tools of the Trade: Beginning GMM Wilson 1154 in AM and Wilson 1139 in PM   8:30 AM-5:00 PM   Cost $80.00
5.Introduction to ArcIMS AJM Johnson 221 (GIAC Lab)   8:30 AM-5:00 PM   Cost $80.00
6.GPS Concepts SUB 272   8:30-Noon   Cost $40.00
7.GPS Hands On SUB 272   8:30-Noon   Cost $40.00
8.The Zen of ArcView 8.1; Tips and Tricks 8:30 AM-Noon   Cost $40.00   MUS Classroom
9.The Zen of ArcView 8.1; Tips and Tricks (2nd offering)   1:00 PM-5:00 PM   Cost $40.00   MUS Classroom


Wednesday, April 10, Big Sky Conference Center
10.GIS and Rural Communities   8:30 AM-Noon   Cost $40.00
11.Management and use of ESRI's Spatial Database
Engine (SDE) in a real-world implementation
  8:30 AM-Noon   Cost $40.00


Saturday, April 13, Big Sky Conference Center
12.Visual Basic Programming Essentials (2nd offering)   8:30 AM-5:00 PM   Cost $80.00
13.Design Strategies for Data Dictionaries   8:30 AM-5:00 PM   Cost $80.00
14.GIS Database Design Principles   8:30 AM-Noon   Cost $40.00
15.Geodatabase Design   1:00-5:00 PM   Cost $40.00


Workshop Abstracts


1. Visual Basic Programming Essentials

Tuesday, 8:30 AM-5:00 PM   Cost $80.00

Location; Montana State University, Bozeman   SUB 276

This one day workshop teaches fundamental Microsoft Visual Basic programming skills. The course is designed for those who need to learn the Visual Basic techniques necessary to successfully create PC applications that incorporate a multitude of the ActiveX components available today. You will learn how to use the Visual Basic interface and its components, how to create simple forms, how to associate code with objects and events, how to apply Visual Basic conventions, how to manage forms in Visual Basic, and how to debug in Visual Basic. Registrants for this course should be computer users and have basic Microsoft operating system skills (copying, deleting, and moving files and directories). This workshop will include hands-on lab exercises.


Instructor; Jeff Barrette, ESRI Olympia     Maximum enrollment: 20

 

2. Introduction to Remote Sensing

Tuesday, 8:30 AM-5:00 PM   Cost $80.00

Location; Montana State University, Bozeman   MUS Seminar Room

This short course will provide participants with a basic knowledge and understanding of remote sensing systems and imagery. GIS users frequently encounter situations where data collection or analysis can be enhanced by the use of remote sensing. The short course provides a complete overview of existing and planned remote sensing systems including the new 1-meter resolution commercial satellites. Issues of spatial, spectral, radiometric, and temporal resolution are addressed along with imagery sources, costs, and logistical concerns of using imagery. These concepts will be presented using real world examples of how image processing of remotely sensed data is conducted and how the resulting maps and information can be incorporated into spatial analyses in a GIS.


Instructor; Timothy L. Haithcoat, Program Director, Sr. Research Specialist, University of Missouri-Columbia

 

3. Hands on Metadata

Tuesday, 8:30 AM-5:00 PM   Cost $80.00

Location; Montana State University, Bozeman   Roberts 109

This workshop includes short presentation and question and answer sessions. The target audience is metadata creators (novice and above) who wish to spend the day familiarizing themselves with FGDC-compliant metadata and creating an FGDC-compliant metadata record. This workshop will include hands-on lab exercises. The objectives of the workshop are to;

1.   Introduce concepts of metadata and its value to the organization.

2.   Introduce the FGDC and NSDI functions and missions.

3.   Introduce basic concepts of the Content Standard for Geospatial Metadata.

4.   Introduce configuration and operation of a FGDC Clearinghouse and clearinghouse nodes.

5.   Introduce the Graphic Representation or Colorized CSGDM.

6.   Create FGDC, or other profile, compliant metadata.

7.   Parse and prepare final metadata record.


Instructor: Jeff Matthews, Associate Professor, Computer Science
Lewis-Clark State College, Lewiston, Idaho

 

4. Tools of the Trade: Beginning GMM

Tuesday, 8:30 AM-5:00 PM   Cost $80.00

Location; Montana State University, Bozeman   Wilson 1154 in AM and Wilson 1139 in PM

The BLM's Geographic Measurement Management program has the tools to implement GLO/BLM measurements and private surveys in a base mapping application. It will not only address boundary discrepancies by readjusting problem areas and identifying error sources, but has functions built into the program that work with the limitations of your data. The RAW utility runs through raw data and shows error closures on the traverse. CSTUF inverses between two known points to calculate the bearings and distance of the line, and a COGO function lists points for longitude and latitude. These utilities can be used to enhance the results of the least squares adjustment that GMM performs. This workshop will include hands-on lab exercises.


Instructor; Rick Breckenridge, GIS Program Manager     Maximum enrollment: 20
Flathead County

 

5. Introduction to ArcIMS

Tuesday, 8:30 AM-5:00 PM   Cost $80.00

Location; Montana State University, Bozeman   AJM Johnson 221 (GIAC Lab)

Essentials of ArcIMS concepts and techniques. This will be anintroductory-level workshop for students who have no ArcIMS experience. Morning session will include an overview of ArcIMS concepts and architecture, and a hands-on survey of existing ArcIMS sites. Afternoon session will continue discussion of ArcIMS applications and hands-on exercises in using ArcIMS map services in ArcGIS and related applications.


Instructor; Chris Wayne, ESRI Olympia     Maximum enrollment: 16

 

6. GPS Concepts

Tuesday, 8:30 AM-Noon   Cost $40.00

Location; Montana State University, Bozeman   SUB 272

This half day workshop will introduce the student to fundamental GPS technology and capabilities including basic operating concepts, geodesy, satellite availability, data collection and adjustment, accuracy issues, differential correction, data conversion, and integration of GPS data with GIS.


Instructor: Jim Lahm, Electronic Data Solutions, Portland OR     Maximum enrollment 20

 

7. GPS Hands On

Tuesday, 1:00 PM-5:00 PM   Cost $40.00

Location; Montana State University, Bozeman   SUB 272

This half day session will take students to the field to apply concepts they learned during the morning session. Using Trimble Geo Explorer GPS and Trimble Pathfinder ProXRS units, students will collect data and return to the lab to process their data and convert for use in a GIS. Prerequisites: attendance at the morning session or equivalent familiarity with GPS concepts.


Instructor: Jim Lahm, Electronic Data Solutions, Portland, OR     Maximum enrollment 14

 

8. The Zen of ArcView 8.1; Tips and Tricks for ArcGIS Users

Tuesday, 8:30 AM-Noon   Cost $40.00

Location; Montana State University, Bozeman   MUS Classroom

The new software architecture of ArcGIS presents a vast and sometimes bewildering number of new tools and techniques for the GIS user. This workshop will help de-mystify the intricacies of ArcGIS and show advanced techniques for speeding up your day-to-day work. Using lectures and live computer demos, the workshop will cover:

  • Techniques for converting ArcView 3.2 projects into ArcGIS mxd map files and overcoming the one AV3.2 layout import limitation.
  • Annotation schemes for speedy feature labeling.
  • Getting the most out of the new legend editor in layer properties.
  • Efficient use of layer files, grouped layers and map templates in map production.
  • Custom color schemes and styles.
  • Writing and loading VBA scripts for custom labeling and custom tools.
  • Editing tips for feature classes and geodatabases, using the new Xtools
  • Much more!

Attendees will receive a copy of the workshop notes, as well as further enlightenment into the Zen of ArcView


Instructors; Ed Madej, Tetra Tech EM, Inc. Helena, MT     Maximum enrollment 40

Velda Welch, Montana State Government

 

9. The Zen of ArcView 8.1; Tips and Tricks for ArcGIS Users (second offering)

Tuesday, 1:00-5:00 PM   Cost $40.00

Location; Montana State University, Bozeman   MUS Classroom

The new software architecture of ArcGIS presents a vast and sometimes bewildering number of new tools and techniques for the GIS user. This workshop will help de-mystify the intricacies of ArcGIS and show advanced techniques for speeding up your day-to-day work. Using lectures and live computer demos, the workshop will cover:

  • Techniques for converting ArcView 3.2 projects into ArcGIS mxd map files and overcoming the one AV3.2 layout import limitation.
  • Annotation schemes for speedy feature labeling.
  • Getting the most out of the new legend editor in layer properties.
  • Efficient use of layer files, grouped layers and map templates in map production.
  • Custom color schemes and styles.
  • Writing and loading VBA scripts for custom labeling and custom tools.
  • Editing tips for feature classes and geodatabases, using the new Xtools
  • Much more!

Attendees will receive a copy of the workshop notes, as well as further enlightenment into the Zen of ArcView


Instructors; Ed Madej, Tetra Tech EM, Inc. Helena, MT     Maximum enrollment 40

Velda Welch, Montana State Government

 

10. GIS and Rural Communities

Wednesday, 8:30 AM-Noon   Cost $40.00

Location; Big Sky Conference Center

Much of the Intermountain West is rural in nature. For a variety of reasons, GIS has traditionally been implemented in more urbanized locations. However, as telecommunication technologies liberate workers in the new economy from traditional urban centers, populations in the rural West are projected to rise (in some cases dramatically). For these and many other reasons the need for effective GIS is as important as ever in rural America. Author Joel Kotkin writes that "The more technology frees us from the tyranny of place and past affiliation, the greater the need for individual places to make themselves more attractive." The fact is that rural places need GIS just as much as urban ones, and as a result, the use of GIS in rural communities is gaining some needed attention.

Successfully putting GIS to work in rural communities does present some unique challenges. This workshop will cover many of these challenges by addressing topics such as: assessing GIS needs, getting started and setting up your GIS, potential application areas, and planning for the growth of your GIS. Additionally, several demonstrations are planned of real-world projects in progress including a demonstration of a powerful GIS-based planning and design tool called CommunityViz.


Instructors; Jim Larson, GIS Manager, Stillwater County, Montana     Maximum enrollment 40

Bryant Ralston, Account Manager, ESRI

Ken Wall, President, GeoData Services.

 

11. Management and use of ESRI Spatial Database Engine (SDE) in a "real-world" implementation

Wednesday, 8:30 AM-Noon   Cost $40.00

Location Big Sky Conference Center

This workshop will cover the basic details of the architecture and fundamental concepts of ArcSDE. Topics included will be installation and configuration, hardware requirements, SDE software and database structures, raster and vector data management (loading, configuration, tuning, etc.), and how SDE integrates with the relational database management system you are using. Also included will be some discussion of application and client connections to SDE. The workshop will not address editing of, or multi-versioned SDE databases, nor the broader topic of geo-databases.

This workshop is intended for participants who may be involved in prototyping, implementing, or managing an ArcSDE installation. Knowledge of fundamental relational database concepts, SQL, and basic GIS concepts would be beneficial.


Instructor; Duane Anderson Montana Natural Resource Information System

 

12. Visual Basic Programming Essentials (second offering)

Saturday, 8:30 AM-5:00 PM   Cost $80.00

Location; Big Sky Conference Center

This one day workshop teaches fundamental Microsoft Visual Basic programming skills. The course is designed for those who need to learn the Visual Basic techniques necessary to successfully create PC applications that incorporate a multitude of the ActiveX components available today. You will learn how to use the Visual Basic interface and its components, how to create simple forms, how to associate code with objects and events, how to apply Visual Basic conventions, how to manage forms in Visual Basic, and how to debug in Visual Basic. Registrants for this course should be computer users and have basic Microsoft operating system skills (copying, deleting, and moving files and directories). This workshop will include hands-on lab exercises.


Instructor; Jeff Barrett, ESRI Olympia     Maximum enrollment: 20

 

13. Design Strategies for Data Dictionaries

Saturday, 8:30 AM-5:00 PM   Cost $80.00

Location; Big Sky Convention Center

This session assists students in building a data dictionary that can be returned to the field for long-term data maintenance. It will include:

  • Building a data dictionary based on local features within Pathfinder Office
  • Export GPS files to a GIS format
  • Return GIS files to GPS for updating in the field

o       Filters

o       Object Relocation

o       Position Verification

o       Updating and Modifying feature position and/or attribute values

  • Re-Introducing data back to the GIS

 

The morning session will be building a maintainable data dictionary within Trimble Pathfinder Office. It will be designed to fit local features near the classroom. Data collected on this data dictionary will constitute the initial information layer. The afternoon session will be focused on updating the initial information layer created in the earlier session. As data becomes out of date, your GIS loses its functionality and value. Using the Trimble Navigation line of GIS/GPS systems, we will demonstrate options to help insure the customer keeps an accurate and up-to-date GIS investment.

 

The following products and software will be used during the session:

  • Trimble Pathfinder Office Software V. 2.8
  • Trimble GeoExplorer 3
  • Trimble Pro XR w/Asset Surveyor V. 5.20
  • Trimble Pocket w/TerraSync on CE Device V. 1.22
  • Media Mapper for geographically referencing photographs

 

*** Please note: Students must bring GPS equipment and laptops with Pathfinder Office.

Firmware/Software must be as current with versions shown above.


Instructor: Dawn Dionne, Inland GPS; Hayden, Idaho     Maximum enrollment: 15

 

14. GIS Database Design Principles

Saturday, 8:30 AM-Noon   Cost $40.00

Location; Big Sky Convention Center

This workshop covers the basics of GIS database design, independent from any specific software or data format. In this workshop, you will learn a needs-based design methodology, which begins with a needs assessment. Design decisions are made using this needs assessment as a litmus test. You will learn methods for inventorying and assessing data sources, and how to evaluate the relationship between needs, data, and required outputs and applications. This information will be abstracted into a logical design. The logical design will be the basis of a physical design. Finally, an implementation plan will be formulated.


Instructor: Chris Buhi, ESRI Olympia

 

15. Geodatabase Design

Saturday, 1:00-5:00 PM   Cost $40.00

Location; Big Sky Convention Center

This session explores a specific ESRI GIS implementation called the geodatabase. You will learn the basic components of a geodatabase and how to use these components to model geography. You will learn how to design a geodatabase that satisfies user needs through appropriate representation of geography in an object-relational model. You will learn how to design and create feature datasets, feature classes, subtypes, domains, relationship classes, and geometric networks. ESRI's ArcCatalog and ArcMap, Spatial Database Engine (SDE), and Microsoft Visio are some of the tools that will be utilized. The morning session covers generic design principles, whereas this afternoon session teaches you how to design and implement a physical geodatabase.


Instructor: Chris Buhi, ESRI