Arctic GIS Workshop Poster Abstract22-24
January 2001 |
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Dynamic Internet Mapping and Distributed Geographic Information Services
Geospatial information is very unique and different from other types of information. Current research in distributed Geographic Information Services (GIServices) and Internet mapping facilities mainly focuses on the standardization of data formats and ad-hoc technique-centered solutions without considering the uniqueness of geospatial information. This poster will try to identify the requirements of on-line geospatial information, which include the management of very large spatial databases, the interoperability of heterogeneous geospatial data formats, and the distribution of GIS processes. The goals of this poster are to introduce a dynamic architecture for Internet mapping and distributed GIServices and to facilitate the development of on-line GIS applications from a short-term, technology-centered project to a sustainable development strategy. Currently, the GIS industry is developing several software packages to provide on-line mapping functions, such as ESRI's ArcIMS, INTERGRAPH's GeoMedia Web Map, AutoDesk's MapGuide, and SmallWorld's Internet Application Server. These software packages adopt different network technologies and software platforms. The architecture of web servers and the design of map display engines are also different among these packages. This poster will introduce and compare these software packages and evaluate their performances, implementation procedures, and mapping functions. A prototype Internet map server will be developed and tested in the Department of Geography, San Diego State University (http://map.sdsu.edu). The software used in developing the prototype will be chosen from one of GIS packages mentioned above. The prototype will be customized and re-designed with object-oriented programming tools, including Java and Visual Basic to extend the capability of Internet map engines from basic map display functions to advanced on-line GIS operations. The design of this prototype will focus on dynamic integration of client/server components, interactions between data objects and GIS programs, and design of a high-level communication mechanism.
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