ARC/INFO: The Total Geographic Information System
[11 minutes, ESRI]

The Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), producer of the commercial ARC/INFO geographic information system, has produced a number of videotapes which explain what a GIS is and how their ARC/INFO system can be used to solve a variety of problems. These videos provide a reasonable good overview of the application of geographic information systems although, not surprisingly, they are heavily biased toward ARC/INFO. A variety of "real-world" examples are highlighted in this particular video to show how automated mapping and the analysis of geographic data can be used for problem-solving in different disciplines. It also includes a brief discussion of the ARC/INFO product and the components that make up a GIS.

Five Parts of a GIS
[10 minutes, ESRI]

Another introduction to geographic informations systems with a particular emphasis on the various components that made up a GIS. The concept that a GIS is a tool that can access, integrate, and distribution layers of map information is first discussed followed by an explanation of the five components of a GIS. These components include: procedures, database, hardware, software, and people. The ARC/INFO system is used to demonstate each of these concepts.

Integration with ARC/INFO
[8 minutes, ESRI]

Problem-solving using GIS is again the theme in this ERSI video. In fact, this video is subtitled "GIS: A Technology for Human Problem-Solving". The point is made that problem-solving require an integrated view which can only come from the use of information technologies and that in turn many such problems involve information in a geographic context. Examples of problem-solving using their ARC/INFO system to handle a variety of different spatial data sets are provided.