GIS Data Distribution & Visualization Methods
14 08 2006I am attempting to put together a list of the various methods by which one can distribute GIS data AND the ability to visualize it to non-GIS users. Below is my 1st pass at making such a list. My main focus is the ability to distribute private data in a controlled manner. The end user for this system is typically someone with limited computer skills and no previous GIS use. They would need to search for & identify features, turn layers on/off, and print or export maps. Some users may also want to create their own custom layer by selecting a sub-set of an existing layer and applying different symbolization to it. They do not need a fully featured GIS, nor do they want to need much if any training to use the system.
I will be using this list in a presentation & proposal to help us decide the best method for distributing our multi-county project to outside of the 4 related companies that I developed it for.
I am further expanding on this list to include pros, cons, & costs related to each method along with links to the software & examples of implementations. The expanded list can be found at www.kestrelcomputer.com/GIS-Distribution.htm. I will post the fully expanded list on Friday Aug 18.
Please let me know if you think I have left any important method, software, or technology out.
GIS Data Visualization & Distribution Methods
Physical
Data & Viewer Reside on Client Computer or Removable Storage
- DVD - Tatuk Viewer, ArcView Project, and Data & Imagery Files
- DVD - ArcExplorer, ArcPress Document, and Data & Imagery Files
- CD - Either of Above Options
Web
Data & Viewer Reside on Internet or Intranet
- ArcIMS Viewer
- ArcWeb Services Viewer
- ArcWeb Explorer (ASP.Net or PHP Custom Version)
- Google Maps (ASP.Net or PHP Custom Version)
- SharpMap (ASP.Net Custom Implementation)
- MapServer
- MapBuilder
- MapXtreme 2005 .NET
- GeoServer
- DEMIS WebMap Server
Hybrid
Viewer Resides on Client Computer & Data Is Served From Internet/Intranet
- ArcGIS Explorer
- Google Earth
- WorldWind (with customizations)
- uDig (with customizations)
- SharpMap (Windows App Version)
- WorldWind (with customizations)
- MapDotNet Server 2007
- MapWindow GIS
- Dapple (based on WorldWind)
Matt,
You could probably add QGIS as a “GIS viewer” for your physical DVD data.
It is also important to note that some software will not work on all platforms. ArcGIS Explorer and NASA World Wind both require MS Windows right now… (version 1.5 of WW should change this :-)). ArcExplorer Java (which has nothing to do with ArcGIS Explorer) and QGIS will work on most platforms. Some software are also way easier to install than others…
Cheers!
Alex
So, QGIS runs of a CD/DVD?
I’m currently using a stripped down ArcView on CD as a dataviewer. So far no complaints except connection to Access. I haven’t been able to figure it out and everyone I”ve talked to. At least here at work, says it can’t be done.
KoS
QGIS can be run on CD, DVD, USB key, etc.. It has a pretty small footprint. It is mainly a visualization tool though and can’t (to my knowledge) do any real GIS analysis. It will allow you to draw new points, lines & polygons into existing data sources and attribute them. It also has a few plugins that do stuff like GPS tracking, add map decoration elements & most importantly import to PostGIS DB. The SPIT(Shapefile to PostGIS Import Tool) is one of the best ways I have found to put shapefiles into PostGIS database.
Also, you can TOTALLY link up Access & ArcView. At least you could in AV 3.x without any extra extensions or plug-ins. I would have had to work a lot harder to join USDA’s SSUGRO soils database tables into their soil polygons. I only have 1 computer still running AV 3.x, but I would be happy to fire it up and re-walk through the procedure. Just email me if want some detailed help with it.
Matt
Sweet thanks…….I’m not sure if you have ESP. But soils is the data I’m viewing using AV.
I know you can connect to access with AV on the hard drive itself. But I’ve told by running it off a CD one can’t connect to the access database. Maybe instead of using CD as a hard drive, actually load everything on the machines hard drive itself. Thinking out loud.
I’ll fire off an email later.
Thanks
KoS