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<DIV dir=ltr align=left>Abhinav<SPAN class=855332914-31102006>,</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=855332914-31102006></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=855332914-31102006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>Welcome to the woderfull and exciting world of open source
GIS, Linux and all the related brain activity.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=855332914-31102006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=855332914-31102006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>First I'd like to say congratulations for your attempt to
explore GRASS and linux (or Cygwin if you're going the windows route). The
learning curve is steep but rewarding. And if you are a small of medium sized
company then you'll notice some unique benifits of open source
technology.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=855332914-31102006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=855332914-31102006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>As was previously noted in one of the responses, you have
found some GREAT groups for users. Your challenge, as also previously noted is
learning how to use it. If you are new the user list type community support then
here are some tips, and maybe a quasi process..</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=855332914-31102006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=855332914-31102006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>The GRASS resources are stored in a sort of library. Lots
of good resources in bite sized books. No one source will provide ALL the
answers. So lets take a little tour.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=855332914-31102006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=855332914-31102006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>1. get the software (<A
href="http://grass.itc.it/download/index.php">http://grass.itc.it/download/index.php</A>)</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=855332914-31102006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>2. Learn the install process. This link is an old one and
for a past version, but hopefully it will bee a good intro.... <A
href="http://grass.itc.it//gdp/tutorial/abs_beginners.pdf">http://grass.itc.it//gdp/tutorial/abs_beginners.pdf</A></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=855332914-31102006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=855332914-31102006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>note there is a difference between a MANUAL, a TUTORIAL,
and MAILING list... In our world a manual holds content and information. A
tutorial is our source of process, and finaly the mailing list covers special
issues or undocumented processes.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=855332914-31102006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=855332914-31102006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>3. Refer to the manual <A
href="http://grass.itc.it/grass63/manuals/html63_user/index.html">http://grass.itc.it/grass63/manuals/html63_user/index.html</A></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=855332914-31102006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=855332914-31102006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>4. grab a link to a tutorial and follow the process. HINT:
KEEP IT SIMPLE, the learning curve is steep and deep <A
href="http://grass.itc.it/gdp/tutorials.php">http://grass.itc.it/gdp/tutorials.php</A></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=855332914-31102006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=855332914-31102006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>5. Now you will inevitably have a question. So you start
your search</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=855332914-31102006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=855332914-31102006> <FONT
face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>A. Search the manual by keywords or key command
<A
href="http://grass.itc.it/gdp/manuals.php">http://grass.itc.it/gdp/manuals.php</A></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=855332914-31102006> <FONT
face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>B. Search the archived mailing lists. Note that
there are some specialty lists. <A
href="http://grass.itc.it/community/support.php">http://grass.itc.it/community/support.php</A></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=855332914-31102006> <FONT
face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>C. GOOGLE is your friend... eg <A
href="http://www.google.ca/search?q=GRASS+GIS+first+time&start=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official">http://www.google.ca/search?q=GRASS+GIS+first+time&start=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official</A></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=855332914-31102006> <FONT
face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>D. Read the Tabe of Contents (TOC) of the "How
to ask a smart question" <A
href="http://catb.org/esr/faqs/smart-questions.html">http://catb.org/esr/faqs/smart-questions.html</A> (not
to belittle, just to bring you up to speed)</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=855332914-31102006> <FONT
face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>E. Pick your forum and ask your question and
wait for the onslaught of answers. The better the question, the more response,
and broader response you'll get</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=855332914-31102006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=855332914-31102006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>6. Next build a self guided tutorial.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=855332914-31102006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=855332914-31102006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>You have choosen GIS as a tool to answer a question. GRASS
is great tool. So take your question and break it down to it's simplest term
(generic GIS workflow). Find the comman to do each small task. Build them in
order and voila you have your own Tutorial. Now share that information
back to the community and the process continues.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=855332914-31102006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=855332914-31102006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>Did you find something that you wanted more info on as a
new user. Then help future new users get up to speed even
quicker.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=855332914-31102006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=855332914-31102006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>Hope this helped,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=855332914-31102006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=855332914-31102006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>keep your head up and have fun</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=855332914-31102006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=855332914-31102006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>Cheers</FONT></SPAN></DIV><BR>
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader lang=en-us dir=ltr align=left>
<HR tabIndex=-1>
<FONT face=Tahoma size=2><B>From:</B> grassuser-bounces@grass.itc.it
[mailto:grassuser-bounces@grass.itc.it] <B>On Behalf Of </B>gotnidea! Business
Development Centre<BR><B>Sent:</B> October 31, 2006 05:04<BR><B>To:</B>
grassuser@grass.itc.it; wingrass@grass.itc.it<BR><B>Subject:</B> [GRASS-user]
Which is the best forum/resource for GRASS starters?<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>Dear All,</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I think I have gotten into group of developers rather than mere users. Or
may be my questions are a bit trivial or out of context for most of you.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Well, while I certainly thank you all for your patience and quick response,
I think I am really a novice in an area for experts.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>So, my first question is which is the forum of GRASS users particularly for
the starters and persons with little knowledge about GIS but do have a desire to
learn it. May be one could even guide me to a book? My problem is that I am new
to both GRASS as well as Linux world, and as I happened to notice that GRASS can
run on Windows, I went ahead to work on it. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Secondly I reiterate what I had asked in my last email:</DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>I want to have a display like:
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><A onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.eicinformation.org/data/sampledata.asp?id=2"
target=_blank>http://www.eicinformation.org/data/sampledata.asp?id=2</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Is it possible on GRASS?? If at all it is not possible on a web page, can I
reproduce a similar map on my desktop, linking the data with SQL or even by
using the existing postgreSQL?</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Thanks for all your help and patience once again.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>regards</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Abhinav</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>