[Freegis-list] GIS Web Mapping - Advice Please

[Quan, Sheila]

Hi everyone

Just returned from the GISRUK conference held in Maynooth, Ireland
recently and my head is buzzing with geovisualisation techniques,
interactive web mapping and how GIS in being used in public
participations.  All very hot topics in the UK.
 
I wonder whether you can give me any advice or pointers at all.  I would
like to be able to develop non-proprietary web applications for our
clients that will enable them to visualise their spatial data on a map
base.  I understand that both Flash and SVG technology will enable this
- so that the map user has full control of what layers can be switched
on/off, map scale and alternative ways of demonstrating data e.g. bar
charts, line graphs etc.  I've said non-proprietary cos I don't want to
go down the route of using proprietary web servers like ArcIMS and
MapExtreme and the "problems" with slow map rendering etc.  However,
added complication for me is that Java is now a big thing with Google,
Windows Live Local and other mapping engines out there ... and I have no
programming experience whatsoever so if we go ahead with this route - it
will entail a steep learning curve.  
 
A spin-off from developing web applications is that the user will also
be able to mark specific points, lines and/or areas - as part of the
public participation process e.g. highlighting traffic congestion
blackspots.  Google Maps allows for this but with these public mapping
engines, there are restrictions as to use i.e. cannot sell, trade or
resell the [Google] Services.  
 
So could you advise me what the difference between Flash vs SVG vs Java
vs open source software?  When I first investigated this area, my choice
was limited to two - Flash or SVG and my original bias was towards SVG -
mainly because of its connectivity to our various GIS platforms like
MapInfo Professional and ArcView - software and data.  However, I am
completely puzzled now with the "introduction" of Java and also open
source software like MapServer.
 
I would appreciate whatever advice you have - appreciate this is an
absolute minefield.
 
Waiting in anticipation!
 
Kind regards


Sheila Quan
Senior GIS Consultant
Steer Davies Gleave
28-32 Upper Ground, London SE1 9PD
d. +44 (0)20 7910 5509
t. +44 (0)20 7919 8500
f. +44 (0)20 7827 9850
e. sheila.quan at sdgworld.net
w. www.steerdaviesgleave.com
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