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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=640313612-04012013>Hi
everybody,</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=640313612-04012013></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=640313612-04012013>I am starting a new
project that will use mapping software and consist of various components, I have
been doing research about the best programme to use, but some advice from
someone who has an overview of all of these programmes would be great. I'm
new to mapping, so if explainations could be pretty straightforward that would
be great. </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=640313612-04012013></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=640313612-04012013>The project will
basically involve mapping economic data from a variety of UK sources in the area
that I'm concerned with (the Highlands and Islands of Scotland). The goal
of this project is to have the maps (with various layers that can be available
to all within the organisation and user friendly) that they automatically
update, or are easy to update. So I was thinking of a
web-based application as the end product, such as Open Layers or Map
Server? For the making of the maps QGIS and getting the data through GRASS
GIS. Am I correct in my thinking that GRASS GIS is the best for getting
the data in, and can access external files? I want to draw together data
from various external sources and from the agency's own external COGNOS system,
any advice with that?</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=640313612-04012013></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=640313612-04012013>Also, is there
any existing data hub that draw together economic, population data etc for the
UK? I know where to go to download the various bits and pieces I need but
if there is any way to automatically extract the data without
manually downloading that would be great. </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=640313612-04012013></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=640313612-04012013>The organisation has
MapInfo on one computer, I would prefer to use open source software as skills
gained will be more transferable, plus the only computer is based in another
office and is a bit of a pain to get to.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=640313612-04012013></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=640313612-04012013>For me this all
seems quite daunting and it doesn't help that I haven't had any experience with
programming languages or mapping about from quick dabbles. I have a
training budget with my placement and have already been approved to do QGIS
training but if anyone can offer training relating to all the problems and
things I have to tie together for my specific project that would be great and
I'm sure we could get something arranged. </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Rachel Forrest</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Economics Intelligence
Officer</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Highlands and Islands
Enterprise</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Cowan House </FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Inverness Retail and Business
Park</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Inverness IV2 7GF</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>+44(0) 1463 244 433</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Email: <A
href="mailto:rachel.forrest@hient.co.uk">rachel.forrest@hient.co.uk</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><A
href="http://www.hie.co.uk/">www.hie.co.uk</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left> </DIV>
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