Follow up reading to the lecture on data types:

• Although Bolstad's chapter is a nice generic review, it is actually more helpful to talk specifically about the data formats that ESRI uses. Read through the following pages:
• How a GIS represents and models geographic information
• Three fundamental representations of geographic information layers
• About Geographic Data Formats
• If you want more background, skim very briefly the following from Chapter Two (Data Models) of Bolstad (2005) 
  
• pp 25-30 in detail (especially part on coordinate data)
• skim page 31 on Attribute Data
• skim pp 32-42 on Vector Data
• skim pp 42-46 on Raster Data
• skip pp 47-60 (or very quickly flip through)
• pp 61-62 in detail starting with 'Common File Formats'

All of the following nine tasks are considered your homework and should be completed by Thursday, January 9, 2014: 

1. Skim Chapter One of Bolstad (2005) textbook
2. Browse & become familiar with organization of  Course Website 
3. Confirm that you have Canvas access - You'll need this for submitting assignments 
   
4. Register as a user for the Class Forum - You'll need this for posting and answering questions
5. If you do not already have an ESRI Global Account, go to ESRI Support and follow the Create New ESRI Account link. ALSO, log into ArcGIS.com and register your global ESRI account for access to ArcGIS Online (see here if confused) - You'll need this for posting to ESRI's discussion forums, subscribing to alerts, and making online maps with ArcGIS Online.
   
6. Install ArcGIS on your own machine (if you have one)
   
7. If you do not already have a Google Gmail account (not your Aggiemail account), create one. - You'll need this for creating your Google Sites website and making Google Maps. 
   
8. Make sure you have a secure means of remembering all these different usernames and passwords (e.g. LastPass). For this class alone, you will have need to regularly use the following credentials:

• USU Banner strong ID & Password for Canvas
• Quinney Lab - (uses your A number and password)
• Class Forum
• Gmail
• Esri Support and ArcGIS.com

Read Chapter 11 on Terrain Analysis from Bolstad (2008).

Finish reading the following by Thursday, February 7th, 2013 (before lecture):

• Read Chapter 9 of Bolstad (2008) on 'Basic Spatial Analysis'
  
• Read the whole thing.... pp 321-378.
  

On Thursday we'll start talking about Geoprocessing. Please read the following ESRI help topics:

• What is Geoprocessing?
• A Quick Tour of Geoprocessing in Arc
• Essential Geoprocessing Vocabulary
• Using the Results Window
  

Finish reading the following by Thursday, January 17, 2012 (before lecture):

• Although Bolstad's chapter is a nice generic review, it is actually more helpful to talk specifically about the data formats that ESRI uses. Read through the following pages:
• How a GIS represents and models geographic information
• Three fundamental representations of geographic information layers
• About Geographic Data Formats
• Skim very briefly the following from Chapter Two (Data Models) of Bolstad (2005) 
  
• pp 25-30 in detail (especially part on coordinate data)
• skim page 31 on Attribute Data
• skim pp 32-42 on Vector Data
• skim pp 42-46 on Raster Data
• skip pp 47-60 (or very quickly flip through)
• pp 61-62 in detail starting with 'Common File Formats'

Finish reading the following by Tuesdsay, January 15, 2013 (before lecture):

• Read the following from Chapter Three (Map Projections & Coordinate Systems) of Bolstad (2005) 
• skim pp 70-72 (early measurements)
• Read rest of chapter in detail pp 72-119
• Can you answer the study questions 3.2-3.9 on p 119?
  
• You may also have a look at the following useful ESRI Help Topics:
• Georeferencing and Coordinate Systems
• What are map projections?
• Projection Basics for the GIS Professional
• Identifying an unknown coordinate systems

All of the following nine tasks are considered your homework and should be completed by Thursday, January 10, 2013 (no lecture on Thursday):

1. Skim Chapter One of Bolstad (2005) 
   
2. Browse & become familiar with organization of  Course Website 
3. Confirm that you have Canvas access - You'll need this for submitting assignments 
   
4. Register as a user for the Class Forum - You'll need this for posting and answering questions
5. If you do not already have an ESRI Global Account, go to ESRI Support and follow the Create New ESRI Account link. ALSO, log into ArcGIS.com and register your global ESRI account for access to ArcGIS Online (see here if confused) - You'll need this for posting to ESRI's discussion forums, subscribing to alerts, and making online maps with ArcGIS Online.
   
6. Install ArcGIS on your own machine (if you have one)
   
7. If you do not already have a Google Gmail account (not your Aggiemail account), create one. - You'll need this for creating your Google Sites website and making Google Maps. 
   
8. Make sure you have a secure means of remembering all these different usernames and passwords (e.g. LastPass). For this class alone, you will have need to regularly use the following credentials:

• USU Banner strong ID & Password for Canvas
• Quinney Lab - (uses your A number and password)
• Class Forum
• Gmail
• Esri Support and ArcGIS.com