All of our GIS data are stored on the network and anyone can easily access them.  To get started:

  • Open Windows Explorer and right-click on This PC and then Map Network Drive:

  • In the Drive window, pick J:
  • In the folder window, type \\V-FS-LU1\gis2
  • If you’re always going to using the same computer, tick the “Reconnect at logon” box.  This way you’ll be remapped every time you log on.  If you log onto a different computer you’ll need to remap to the J: drive.
  • The window should look like this:

Once you click Finish, you’ll see the J: drive mapped in Windows Explorer.

From inside Pro you’ll be able to add data directly from the J: drive using the Add Data button:

You can also set up a Folder connection to J: from the Catalog pane by right-clicking on Folders and choosing Add Folder Connection:

This works similarly in the Catalog View.

At the top level you’ll see several folders:

  • Courses – where data for specific courses live
  • Current Projects – data for individual projects
  • Data – the location of our main national datasets
  • Support – license files, backups, mainly behind the scenes stuff

Most data of interest will be in the Data Folder though we will put data for specific projects in the Current Projects folders.  Data for courses are held in the Courses folder.

By the way, there’s nothing special about J:.  It’s been the drive of choice as long as I’ve been here and we continue to use for sentimental reasons.  Plus it’s easier to refer to the “J: drive” than \\V-FS-LU1\gis2.

Crile