Hi Amanda: When you say basemap are you referring to the digital
raster graphic (drg) tile? dh
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Dave Hobbins
UMFK, 23 Univ. Dr., Fort Kent, ME. 04743
ph: 207/834-7614
From: Maine GeoLibrary
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Amanda Lessard
Sent: Tuesday, December 16, 2008 11:22 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Open-source GIS Software
Since
I won’t be able to attend the roundtable this week, I thought I’d
throw out a question and hope someone could help me.
Since
we have limited ArcGIS licenses available I’ve been trying to set up other
potential users with ArcExplorer and adding the MEGIS basemap and orthomap
(from megisims.state.me.us). However I’m running into an issue
overlaying the basemap on the orthomap since the basemap appears to have a
background color set to gray. When I use the map service in ArcMap I’m
able to change the background fill color, but ArcExplorer does not have this
functionality – I can change the basemap layer’s transparency, but
it is difficult to see the details. I would prefer to not have to
download contours and hydrography layers when they are available from an
internet map service. Can anyone suggest a work around for this issue? Or
would using another open-source GIS program make a difference?
Thanks
for your help,
Amanda Lessard
Assistant Town Planner
Town of New Gloucester
385 Intervale Rd
New Gloucester, ME 04260
phone: (207) 926-4126 Ext. 4
fax: (207) 926-4136
The Town of
New Gloucester Board of Selectmen considers home email addresses personal
information and asks anyone who sends or receives email with home email
addresses displayed to respect peoples' privacy and consider the addresses as
personal information. Once an email address is displayed on a public document,
however, it may be open to public scrutiny.
From: Maine GeoLibrary
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Andrew M. Land
Sent: Monday, December 08, 2008 11:43 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Open-source GIS Software
I’ve had good luck turning people onto Accuglobe
Best,
Andrew
From: Maine GeoLibrary
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Smith, Michael
Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2008 12:50 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Open-source GIS Software
Probably the biggest open-source GIS usage is MapServer, a
web-mapping platform widely used. GeoServer is also widely-used and a bit
more user-friendly.
For desktop users, I would recommend:
MapWindow (Windows only)
QGIS (multi-platform and includes a GRASS plug-in)
gvSIG is also open-source, but I have found some of the
documentation is still Spanish-only
Keep in mind these tools have limited functionality compared to
ArcGIS or MapInfo, but for a lot of people all they need is this lower level of
functionality. Potentially very useful especially for municipalities with
small budgets.
GDAL/OGR is one of my favorite tools, it is a command-line
interface for converting spatial data from one format to another, reprojecting
data, mosaicking images, etc. It is great for batch-processing image
data.
**********
Michael Smith
State GIS Manager
Maine Office of GIS
From: Maine GeoLibrary
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Kelly Bellis
Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2008 11:07 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Open-source GIS Software
Does anybody use an open-source GIS program?
Or can you recommend one?
Is GRASS the best thing for Windows users?
I started to write and ask the Geolibrary listserv members this question a
month or so ago, but after so many folks freaked out from my last question (Tax
Maps - any format) and subsequently asked to be taken off the listserv, fear
and guilt has - up until now - been able to suppress the query. However, the
pursuit of the best open-source GIS program still lingers and in advance of the
Thursday 12.18.2008 11:30-2:00 Central Maine Roundtable at the Waterville
City Hall in the Council Chambers (see Dan Walters notice below) I thought
it a good time to ask. I've also cc'd this notice to surveyors in the Hancock
and Penobscot area in case they might also be looking for an economic
alternative to ESRI products.
And for any Geolibrary listserv members interested, you're most certainly
welcome to attend the MSLS Hancock-Penobscot Chapter's meeting Thursday
12.11.2008 5:30PM at the Whig
and Courier
Pub upstairs in the meeting room in Bangor where Paul Swett is slated to
give an ArcPad GIS demonstration.
V. Kelly Bellis, PLS 2099
Horizon Surveying Company, Inc.
17 Union Street
Ellsworth, ME 04605
207.667.6912
Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:15:37 Notice from Dan Walters:
The Maine GIS Users group is
hosting a Central Maine Roundtable from 11:30 AM to 2 PM on December 18, 2008
in the City of Waterville Council Chambers. The purpose of the roundtable
is to provide a local forum for GIS users to get to know each other, share
ideas and help each other resolve problems. Mike Smith from the Maine
Office of GIS has agreed to make a presentation on Open-source (free!) GIS
software to get the roundtable started. The remainder of the time will be
an open discussion, so make a list of issues you need help with, ideas you have
to advance the use of GIS in the area and information you would like to
share. You can register
at the MEGUG website (www.megug.org
). We will be ordering sandwiches from a local eatery and will circulate
a menu the week before the meeting. Feel free to bring your own lunch if
you prefer.
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If you no longer wish to receive e-mail from this list, you can remove your
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