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Census CD+Maps Quick Start


The following 5 steps are needed to produce any type of map, list or dbf file with GeoLytics CensusCD products. (NOTE: All the GeoLytics programs, CensusCD 2000, CensusCD Blocks, CensusCD 1980, etc. use the same general procedures as CensusCD+Maps)

1. Save Request

Prior to defining any variables in your search, use the File / Save Request, or / Save Request As option to define the name of your search and the directory to which all of your data will be stored. Redefine a request (.req file) for each search that you want to save. The request file is saved to a disk or the hard drive. This step is important for tracking your data. There will be a .doc file created with the request file name(s) you specify. This .doc file will contain a description of the codes utilized in your queries.

2. Select Area

The Area menu determines the specific area(s) for extracting information. Select from one of three types of areas: Geographic, Neighborhood, or Radius.
Option 1: Customize a report from the entire nation down to individual block groups (16 levels of geography) under Geographic Area.
Option 2: Enter a zip code and street address to find a specific Census Block Group from the Neighborhood command.
Option 3: Input a central point (based on an address, a zip code, a place name, or an exact latitude/longitude) and a number of miles to get data with the Radius command.

3. Select Subarea

The Subareas Menu determines how the values will be listed when more than one area is selected or a large are can be broken down into smaller units. Select Summarize to total the values for all the areas chosen (i.e. to produce one set of numbers.) The Smaller Areas command displays a list of smaller geographic units to itemize the results (i.e. to produce separate sets of numbers for each geographic unit.)

4. Select Variables

The Counts Menu is where demographic variables are chosen. Selecting Standard will display a pre-defined list of commonly requested demographics. The Tailored command lets you choose any of 6,600 variables which are grouped into 270 different tables. CensusCD+Maps groups these tables into 18 general categories from which to choose.

5. Run Report or Map

The Run Menu is the final step in producing a report or map. The options include List, DBF, ASCII (tab or comma delimited), MAP or pre-formatted Snapshot report. Maps may be exported as bitmaps, ArcView shapefiles, or MapInfo files by selecting options under the File Menu of the map window.

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