THE LAND OF LANS: MAPPING IN THE INFORMATION AGE

Established in 1879, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) still stands as the national mapmaking authority. A number of steps in the mapmaking procedure still require a manual process but, increasingly, USGS is relying on computer-aided design to create and maintain its maps. Creating a new map takes a minimum of two years, by which time it's almost certain there will be changes to the map. USGS cartographers update maps by taking new aerial photos and revising them where changes have occurred. If there are extensive changes, then a new map is created. To speed up this process, USGS is now installing LAN (local area network) systems that will link its workstations with the agency's mainframe and minicomputers. Once tied together, the LAN system will also link cartographers' workstations with the color electrostatic plotting systems. The CalComp plotters are among the first devices to be hooked up with the LAN.

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    Public Works Journal Corporation

    200 South Broad Street
    Ridgewood, NJ  United States  07451
  • Publication Date: 1990-4

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  • Accession Number: 00493645
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Apr 30 1990 12:00AM