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How do I use the GeoLytics CensusCDs?
A Guide to Using GeoLytics Census CD-Rom Products
Introduction
Davis Library Reference has a number of Census CD-ROM Products published by GeoLytics. These products allow users to create custom generated tables, maps, and GIS layers of census variables. Although there may be some small differences, the steps required to create tables, maps, and GIS layers are basically the same for all of the Census CD products. This page shall serve as a brief guide for using these products. For more complete documentation, see additional information.
Location
The GeoLytics Census CD-ROMs are located in the Electronic Documents section of the Reference Department in Davis Library. They are organized alphabetically by title in CD-ROM Cabinet 6.
Getting Started
The Census CD products are installed on the E-docs machines 1, 2, and 3, which
are located in the Electronic Documents section of Davis Library Reference.
Select the appropriate product from the CD Cabinet. Keep the CD-ROM inside the
caddy, and insert it in the computer's external CD-ROM drive. Then open the
folder on the computer's desktop entitled "Census of Population Housing
CD-ROMS" Inside that folder, choose the census year of the CD-ROM chosen.
Finally, select the icon for the program and double-click it to begin. It is
important that the icon chosen from the desktop matches the title of the CD-ROM.
The programs have been installed on the machines, but they pull the data from
the CD-ROM.
In addition to the instructions below, you may also find the brief instructions
provided by the program useful when creating files. These instructions walk you
through step-by-step, and are located in the bottom left hand corner of the
program window.
Producing Files and Maps
STEP 1: Select a Geographic Area
The first step to creating a custom-made table or map is to define the geographic
area of interest. The geographic area is the overall area of interest. The geographic area is
then broken into subareas, or geographic units for which census data is provided
(see step 2 and the Example provided below). To select a geographic area, go to
the Area menu. Chose either Geographic Area or Radius from
the menu. Geographic Area provides a list of increasingly smaller areas,
such as Nation, Region, Division, State, County and Tract. Radius allows
for the selection of a geographic area specified by map coordinates.
STEP 2: Select a Subarea
The subarea defines the
census geography level or mapping unit for which census data is provided.
To select a subarea, go to the Subarea menu, and select the preferred mapping
unit.
Example:
To get census information for Orange County, NC by Blockgroup:
STEP 3: Select Counts
Now that you have defined the area of interest (area) and mapping unit
(subarea), it's time to select the variables you would like to include in your
map or table.
First, go to the Counts menu. The Standard option provides a list
of pre-formatted reports. The Tailored option allows you to choose from
a listing of grouped variables. The Display option brings up a screen
that links to variable groups, which are depicted with an icon on the left.
Finally, variables may be searched
for. This option is made available by choosing the Counts option under
the Search menu, and entering text that appears in a variable's name.
For the 2000 CensusDVD, use the American Factfinder website
to search for variables.
The 2000 CensusDVD names the variables with the census table numbers, and the
American Factfinder interface allows for superior searching and better variable documentation.
See How do I navigate the American Factfinder website?
for additional information.
By using one of the above methods, select the variables to be included in the table or map. Make sure all of the variables chosen are listed in the "Selected Counts" box; then click DONE in the upper right corner. Note that the variable names will appear in the final product the same way that they appear in the "Selected Counts" box. Some CensusCD products use table numbers or other codes rather than the (often long) variable name. A data dictionary document file (*.doc) is created with each request. The document file lists the codes and the associated variables. For example, the variable code "Hi4999" stands for "Households income $0-$4,999".
STEP 4: Save the File
Each file is produced using a request file (*.req). All files generated from
the same request will have the same name.
To save the request, select Save As from the File menu, and
provide a file name. If you are using a USB memory stick or your AFS space, save the request there now.
For more information about accessing your AFS space, see
How do I access my campus network space (H:\ drive) using the AFS Client?.
If this step is skipped, the generated files will be named
"Noname", and will be saved to the machine's hard disk. The
location of these files is provided on the blue bar at the top of the program
window.
STEP 5: Run the File
Choose an output option from the Run menu. Output options include: ASCII
file, DBF file, or map. In order to create a GIS layer, first create a map.
Once a map is generated, it can be exported in ESRI Shapefile format by
selecting File, Export, to Arcview's Shape from the map
window. MapInfo format is also available.
Additional Information
Additional information on these products can be found on the company's website http://censuscd.com, or in the products' User Guides. The user guides are available electronically- icons to open them are in the same location as the program's icon. Printed copies are kept in binders titled "User Guides", located on the small bookshelf in Davis Reference Electronic Documents beside the E-Docs printer. The user guides are organized alphabetically by title within the User Guides notebooks.
If difficulties arise while using any of the Census CD-ROM products, close the program and start it again. If difficulties persist, report them to the Reference Desk. For additional problems or questions, ask for help at the Reference Desk.
Return to Frequently Asked Questions | Visit our Main Page, GIS Services
For more GIS assistance,
Please contact Amanda C.
Henley, GIS Librarian
amanda.henley@unc.edu
(919) 962-1151