The Geospatial Web

Matt KennyRIDOLFI, Inc02/23/2010

E-mail: matt@ridolfi.comWeb: http://www.mkgeomatics.com/apps/sal

Outline

• Defined• Google’s Revolution• Web Mapping vs. Web GIS?• A Typical System• ESRI’s Take• An Open-Source Alternative

Defined

• Web mapping is the process of designing, implementing, generating and delivering maps on the World Wide Web. – Encyclopedia of GIS

• XEROX’s PARC Map Viewer– An Early Web Mapping App– Static, Slow, But Innovative

Defined

“Web GIS harnesses the power and reach of the Web and integrates the rich knowledge resources of GIS—authoritative databases, models, and spatial analysis. Web GIS goes far beyond simple visualization and mapping and provides access to full geographic knowledge to everyone. Over time, Web GIS will become an essential part of the infrastructure of society.” – Jack Dangermond, ESRI Founder and President.

Google Maps

• Feburary, 2005– Google Maps launches– Tiled Map Service– Ease-of-use and speed

fundamentally shift our expectations of web mapping applications

Google Maps

• How does it work?– Basemaps are cut into small tiled-images at

eighteen pre-defined scales– Download only the required

tiles to fill the current mapextent

Google Maps

Web Mapping to Web GIS

• Cached map services are great for display, but lack intelligence.

• Augmented with GIS server technology, cached maps provide a cartographic backdrop to Web GIS applications.– Query– Identify– Geoprocessing

Web GIS

• Web GIS applications extend the GIS analyst’s reach

• Empower non-GIS users with access to spatial data– Policy (Managers /

Decision Makers)– Public (Citizens)– Technical (Biologists /

Cultural Resource Surveyors)

Web GIS

• Potential to free the Lone-GIS-Professional from filling redundant map requests– Allows focus to shift from making cartographic

outputs to producing analysis data• After deployment, a GIS analyst can update

application with updated layers– Update map services via ArcDesktop or ArcGIS

Server web management interface

Web GIS

• Non-GIS users collaborating and manipulating GIS systems. GeoDesign

The General Picture

Web Mapping APIs

ArcGIS Services

An Open-Source Alternative

• FOSS GIS IS:– Highly Developed– Customizable– Supported– FREE

http://www.osgeo.org/

http://opengeo.org/

An Open-Source Alternative

• OSGeo:– 8/21 Projects Related to

Web Mapping• OpenGeo:– OpenGeo Suite

http://www.osgeo.org/

http://opengeo.org/

An Open-Source Alternative

An Open-Source Alternative