Introduction to ArcGIS 10:00 - 11:30 Sept. 29, 2009 O'Neill 245

Introduction to ArcGIS

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are used today to analyze and represent data with geographical reference on maps. Such applications are widely used in academia, private industry and government agencies and the number of applications is increasing. ArcGIS Desktop software products from the Environmental Research Systems Institute (ESRI).
ArcGIS Desktop is an integrated suite of advanced GIS applications and interfaces, including ArcMap, ArcCatalog, ArcGlobe, ArcScene, ArcToolbox, and ModelBuilder. Using these applications and interfaces, you can perform any GIS task, from simple to advanced, including mapping; geographic analysis; data editing, compilation, and management; visualization; and geoprocessing. ArcGIS Desktop is scalable to meet the needs of many types of users.

This session will introduce users to:

• GIS software, data and technical support at Boston College
• License options
• Main ArcGIS features and capabilities (ArcMap, ArcCatalog, ArcTool, ArcGlobe)
• Present available extensions and capabilities (Spatial Analyst, Geostatistical Analyst, etc)
• Demos using Census data; Demos using Environmental data.

Options to get data and training will be also discussed. No prior knowledge of ArcGIS is required.

September 29, 2009 : 10:00 am – 11:30 am O’Neill 245

Registration

To sign up for a tutorial, please send email to researchservices@bc.edu with the name of the tutorial that you are interested in attending.

ICPSR 2009: Real Data in a Virtual World

Please note this unique opportunity to learn more about ICPSR data and how to use it!

Welcome!

The 2009 ICPSR Biennial Official Representatives Meeting invites participation from researchers, librarians, teaching faculty, students, and policymakers from around the world who are interested in the use of social sciences data!

This FREE conference is hosted by ICPSR and due to its virtual nature in 2009, is open to everyone.

The theme of the 2009 meeting is "Real Data in a Virtual World" -- appropriate for the content discussed and its delivery! Starting on Monday, October 5 and running through Friday, October 9, ICPSR will deliver 20 sessions related to social science content, tools, quantitative training/literacy, and other resources associated with ICPSR and its partners. ICPSR staff will also host several live chats. The preliminary 2009 OR Meeting program has been posted.

Live sessions will be broadcast using GoToWebinar technology. This webinar technology requires no downloads to your computer and provides up to 1,000 "seats" per session. All sessions will be recorded and posted should you desire to view the presentations at a later date. And, still more pre-recorded tutorials and talks will be posted for clicking and viewing at your leisure. For more information on the virtual conference and how it will work, view our short, pre-recorded webinar "Orientation to the ICPSR Virtual Meeting." (WMV 8.1MB)

We look forward to meeting you online in October!

Regards,

Linda Detterman
Marketing & Membership Director
2009 OR Meeting Chair
ICPSR

Important WRDS Alert- WRDS Scheduled Downtime for Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Notice from WRDS:
The WRDS server will be undergoing scheduled maintenance from 12:00pm-8:00pm ET on Tuesday, September 29, 2009. We apologize for any inconvenience.

During this period, the WRDS website will be unavailable. However, access will remain for those users accessing WRDS through UNIX and PC SAS Connect. Interactive queries during this period should continue to run unaffected.

WRDS will be adding additional network hardware to expand capacity.

As a result of this upgrade to the new WRDS website (http://wrds-web.wharton.upenn.edu), users will experience the following:
• Improved execution time for queries when WRDS is under heavy load.
• New users will have the ability to apply for WRDS accounts from the new website home page:
http://wrds-web.wharton.upenn.edu/wrds/index.cfm
• WRDS Reps will be able to review and approve new account requests through the enhanced Rep Tools under MyWRDS>Rep Tools>Pending Approval.

Thank you for your patience as we continue to enhance your WRDS service and performance.
We will post information once this downtime has been completed.

New MassGIS Acute Care Hospitals Layer

MassGIS distributes a selection of free GIS Layers. The latest datalayer, Acute Care Hospitals shows the location of 82 acute care hospitals in Massachusetts. The datalayers are formatted to be compatible with ArcGIS and are freely downloadable.

Other health related layers include Long Term Care Residences and Community Health Centers


Additional datalayer topics:
Crime Statistics By Municipality
Crime Statistics By Colleges and Universities
Police Employment By Municipality
Police Employment By Colleges and Universities
Schools
School type: Public, Private, Collaborative Program, Charter, Approved Special Education
Colleges and Universities

For more information or GIS training contact: Barbara Mento, Data/GIS Manager

The Future Of Work - It’s Data, Baby - NYTimes.com

This August 12th NYTimes.com article talks about value of data skills for future jobs:


The Future Of Work - It’s Data, Baby - NYTimes.com

MBA 's and WRDS accounts Policies

A change in Wharton policy now allows MBA's to directly set up a WRDS account.

Go directly to: http://wrds.wharton.upenn.edu

Click the "request a user account" link
For Account type select Masters.
Fill in the remainder of the form and click on "submit request"

Generally accounts require 24-48 for confirmation.

Questions? Contact: wrdsreps@bc.edu

OECD Health Data 2009 Released

OECD Health Data 2009, released on 1st July 2009, offers the most comprehensive source of comparable statistics on health and health systems across OECD countries. It is an essential tool for health researchers and policy advisors in governments, the private sector and the academic community, to carry out comparative analyses and draw lessons from international comparisons of diverse health care systems.

Available via SourceOECD! See New Statistics and Databases.