MapServer_for_Dummies.pdf

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MapServer for Dummies
A Business Opportunity
called
Version:
1.0
Date:
30. June 2004
Classification:
open
Author:
Flavio Hendry
Distribution:
MUM 2004 Participants
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Table of Content
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The most complete City Guide ......................................................................10
MapServer for Dummies - A Business Opportunity
Version 1.0 / 30. June 2004
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MapServer for Dummies - A Business Opportunity
Version 1.0 / 30. June 2004
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1 Abstract
There are basically two ways to look at web mapping: from the server side as a programmer
and from the client side as a user. Both, Map-Servers as well as applications, lack in over
90% of the cases dramatically of usability. Setting up UMN MapServer (and as well other
Map-Server packages) reminds one of good old assembler times …
Set the case you manage that, the way to create applications turns out to be lengthy and
tough. Finally, if one achieves to put "something" online, it usually lacks severely of usability.
And shouldn't a web-mapping application also be eye-catching?
We at TYDAC felt challenged by that, which turned out to be a great business opportunity!
2
Who is TYDAC?
TYDAC, founded 1991 and based in Bern, Switzerland, has gone on to become a leading
GIS company with over 450 clients across Europe who are using TYDAC’s solutions in many
application areas including forestry, planning, geomarketing, environment, telecommunica-
tions and so on. Today TYDAC builds its own solutions as well as it integrates leading
technology such as from MapInfo, ESRI and Safe Software.
TYDAC has up to date carried out over 40 intranet / internet mapping projects throughout
Europe using as base its own product Neapoljs.
More about TYDAC: www.tydac.ch .
3 Neapoljs Background
"Neapolis" is Greek and stands for new city (nea= new, polis=city). We changed it to "New
Technology Greek" and created "Neapoljs". The "js" stands for JavaScript, the technology
used to develop Neapoljs. Putting your city maps in the Internet is creative like designing a
new city (at least a virtual one) and as the world is anyway becoming a village the term might
be used for any internet application using maps.
Neapoljs is a Web Mapping Content Management System as well as a Web Mapping
Application Development Environment. Using Neapoljs you can create sophisticated
applications within a few hours and, once the application is running, you can add new maps
and functionality to it at any time within seconds!
Neapoljs is currently available for:
UMN MapServer
ESRI ArcIMS
MapInfo MapXtreme
In addition, Neapoljs can be combined with the powerful data translation capabilities of FME
SpatialDirect to create an easy to use and effective data shop or data distribution system.
MapServer for Dummies - A Business Opportunity
Version 1.0 / 30. June 2004
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4
MapServer for Dummies - End User View
4.1 "Quick, Dirty and Ugly" …
A provocative title, but surfing the web and looking at Web Mapping Applications (the
MapServer Gallery is a good start …) you often experience the following:
Most applications are developed by people suffering from the "ArcView Layer
Syndrome"
Standard response when you search for something is "not found"
Most maps are not really "speaking" and are simply ugly
The developers didn't see a Web-Designer ever
Odd and unfriendly navigation functionality
Online Help is an unknown feature
If you run on low resolution such as 800x600 (still over 30% of the users) you don't
surf - you scroll yourself to death
And so on …
4.2 A better way to do it
A few hints on how to do it better:
Use Maps, not Layers … and avoid any GIS acronyms (such as "Layers" …)
Help the User searching, i.e. giving suggestions, lists and so on if something, such as
a street is not found …
Spend some time on Map Creation …
Use a Web Designer …
Help, help and more help …
Ditch everything that is not needed and avoid any resizing and scrolling wherever
possible, remember: more than 30% are still on 800x600 …
In the examples below we'll try to show what has been done right and what has gone wrong.
MapServer for Dummies - A Business Opportunity
Version 1.0 / 30. June 2004
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