Map/Graphing utility?

[bug_girl]

I know this exists somewhere, but I can't seem to find the right search terms.

I'm looking for a low-cost program (or plug in) that will take an Excel or SPSS file of frequencies by state, and turn it into a map of the US with the values, or a color to indicate scale.

Anyone have suggestions?
Thanks!

[Wudang]

Microsoft Map?

[kevin]

These types of products are called Graphical Information Systems (GIS). There is an open source product called GRASS that is supposed to be very good.

http://grass.itc.it/

The most popular commericial product is the ESRI products, ArcGIS. ArcExplorer, one of their free products, might be able to do what you want too.

http://www.esri.com/software/arcexplorer/index.html

[bug_girl]

I looked at several of the GIS programs, and found them to be way, way more complex than I needed.

I just need:
Plain US map with state boundaries
Ability to plop values into the states.

I didn't know about MS Map before--thanks Wudang!
There is also an SPSS map function too--I think it might be cheaper.

looks like money spending is inevitable.....

[chipotle]

Look at the R mapproj project. If you are going to be doing stats you want to learn R anyway.

Also look at matplotlib. Everyone ought to learn Python anyway, even if they aren't in stats.

[bug_girl]

those look nice, but I need something I can pick up and walk away from in about 3 minutes.

Stat crunching is only about 10% of my job, although it wants to take over a higher percentage.
(and since I like numbers, that would be fine with me--however, the dean has other ideas about what I should do with my time :) )

[GregC]

bg,

Although I never used it, this might be something along the lines of what you're looking for:

http://www.microsoft.com/mappoint/products/2006/default.mspx

It's probably not as extensive as the commercial GIS products.

If there is any way I can help you let me know. GIS is my day job.

[Hagrok]

You could probably do it pretty fast manually using photoshop; is it just states that you're separating via frequency? (e.g. 1:20 Arkansas residants has a blue hat)

[Jimbo07]

http://www.microsoft.com/mappoint/products/2006/default.mspx

It's probably not as extensive as the commercial GIS products.



I've used MapPoint and quite like it. Our company uses ArcGIS, AnGIS, etc. However, they haven't purchased packs of data, so it's convenient to plunk a bunch of stuff from an Excel spreadsheet right into MapPoint.

[bug_girl]

I think mappoint will be what we probably go with--with educational pricing, it's not too bad.

In the mean time, the undergraduate worker I have is doing it by photoshop.
Who wants to claim the $million for predicting all this? :D