Getting to Know Arcgis Desktop: The Basics of Arcview, Arceditor, and Arcinfo Updated for Arcgis 9 [With CDROM]

I'm giving this five stars, because I think it does a simple job well. It does NOT give you any real conceptual basis for GIS (aside from a one-page introduction to each chapter). It is basically a step-by-step guide to accomplishing some predefined tasks in ArcGIS, and it does that really well. I'm using it in a GIS class right now. The book is divided into sections of a few chapters each. Sections have a common theme running through them, in terms of the subject matter they work with. In Chapters 3 and 4, you're trying to find where Amelia Earheart and her pilot went down; in Ch. 5 & 6, you're making a collection of maps of Africa, showing population density, location of different kinds of wildlife, symbologising rivers according to whether they're perennial or seasonal. Having interesting data to work with helps you work through the tedium of "Right click on the Countries layer (NOT the Countries data frame", now "Select 'Open Table'", etc. Going back and forth between book and screen is tedious, but interesting data makes it easier. Furthermore, little comments like the parenthetical NOT above, help to make sure that you're doing what you're supposed to be. You do get the impression that the authors are really experienced in writing computer manuals. Other chapters work with different kinds of data, as you learn your way around what is a rather complicated software product. I tend to learn best through a combination of conceptual and hands-on thinking (I need the 'why' and the 'how'), and this is a little too much of the latter for me, so I'll be getting something else to cover that. But as computer manuals go, this one is really complete.

I also bought this book as a supplement to an Intro to ArcGIS course at university, and it's been a real lifesaver. The instructions are clear, concise and well-indexed. I use it as my main source now. The current version works for Windows XP. I did have some trouble registering the extensions (after having having registered ArcView a few weeks previous), but was able to get new authorization numbers from ESRI and it worked out no problem.

A great step by step guide for those unfimliar with GIS. The book starts at the beginning and works its way from there. It does not assume anything. Also it comes with a fully functional 180 day trial cd of ArcGIS 9.0 and accompanying data, which allows you complete the lessions included in this book. Overall a wonderful guide. I am so glad I purchased it!

I purchased this book as a compliment to the text for an intro to ArcHydro course I am taking at university and find it to be a very useful tool. The software runs on 2000 or NT, however, I called ESRI and they immediately sent me a 60 day full license for version 8.3 for XP. It's a great tool for the beginner starting out in geodatabse design and the exercises are easy to follow and gratifying when completed. If you're new to ArcView this is a good buy.

This textbook is a great, easy to understand and to follow tutorial. It is packed with step-by-step instructions and color pictures of the computer screen. The steps on the computer screen are even marked with arrows. I am taking my first GIS course and this book has been an excellent textbook and reference book. I highly recommend it.