<div dir="ltr">+1 for using QGIS without GRASS- it should do everything you need.<div><br></div><div>Just one thing- you need Mapserver (or Geoserver as an alternative) and something like OpenLayers to form the online mapping component. Mapserver does the work of serving up your geospatial data, then the actual user interface (the map, with the options to switch layers on and off) is done using openlayers.</div>
<div><br></div><div style>Since you're in the UK, can I point you at the OSGeo UK local chapter? <a href="http://www.osgeo.org/uk">http://www.osgeo.org/uk</a> we have our own mailing list, which is where you might have more luck getting information about UK-specific datasets- you will also find a few companies on there who provide training in the various components that you're looking to use. (Disclaimer, the company that I work for- Astun Technology) is one of those.</div>
<div style><br></div><div style>Hope that's useful, again, feel free to shout if you need more help/advice. Also, it's great that you're looking at open source options- I wish more people starting out would do the same!</div>
<div style><br></div><div style>Jo</div></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Fri, Jan 4, 2013 at 1:43 PM, Randal Hale <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:rjhale@northrivergeographic.com" target="_blank">rjhale@northrivergeographic.com</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
<div text="#000000" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
Good Morning/Afternoon<br>
<br>
If it were me - I would do everything in QGIS. It will be much
easier to work with and you won't have any of the oddness of GRASS -
I like GRASS - but it's not the easiest thing in the world to work
with. QGIS also translates data over to mapinfo very well. You
should be able to do everything in QGIS without programming. <br>
<br>
There is a plugin to QGIS for Mapserver - so once the project is set
up You could publish it there. I would try to keep it as simple and
as well documented as possible. <br>
<br>
Hope that helps some - yell if you need help <br>
<br>
Randy<div><div class="h5"><br>
<br>
<br>
<div>On 01/04/2013 08:12 AM, Rachel Forrest
wrote:<br>
</div>
</div></div><blockquote type="cite"><div><div class="h5">
<div><font face="Arial"><span>Hi
everybody,</span></font></div>
<div><font face="Arial"><span></span></font> </div>
<div><font face="Arial"><span>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"><span></span></font> </div>
<div><font face="Arial"><span>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"><span></span></font> </div>
<div><font face="Arial"><span>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"><span></span></font> </div>
<div><font face="Arial"><span>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"><span></span></font> </div>
<div><font face="Arial"><span>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> </div>
<div align="left"><font face="Arial">Rachel Forrest</font></div>
<div align="left"><font face="Arial">Economics
Intelligence Officer</font></div>
<div align="left"><font face="Arial">Highlands and
Islands Enterprise</font></div>
<div align="left"><font face="Arial">Cowan House </font></div>
<div align="left"><font face="Arial">Inverness Retail and
Business Park</font></div>
<div align="left"><font face="Arial">Inverness IV2 7GF</font></div>
<div align="left"> </div>
<div align="left"><font face="Arial"><a href="tel:%2B44%280%29%201463%20244%20433" value="+441463244433" target="_blank">+44(0) 1463 244 433</a></font></div>
<div align="left"><font face="Arial">Email: <a href="mailto:rachel.forrest@hient.co.uk" target="_blank">rachel.forrest@hient.co.uk</a></font></div>
<div align="left"><font face="Arial"><a href="http://www.hie.co.uk/" target="_blank">www.hie.co.uk</a></font></div>
<div align="left"> </div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<hr><font face="Arial"><br>
This document is confidential and intended solely for the use
of the addressee(s). If you are not the intended recipient,
please inform the sender immediately. Any unauthorised use of
this document is strictly prohibited. HIE uses filter software
to protect its staff and will automatically delete any email
that contains offensive or profane content.<br>
<br>
<br>
Tha an teachdaireachd seo diomhair agus 's ann dhan
neach-ainmichte a-mhain a tha i. Ma 's e is gun d'fhuair sibh
le mearachd i, feuchaibh is leigibh fios sa spot dhan neach
bhon tainig i. Tha cleachdadh neo-cheadaichte na
teachdaireachd seo fior-thoirmisgte. Tha HIE a' cleachdadh
bathar-bog gus luchd-obrach na buidhne a dhion is cuiridh i as
do phost-dealain sam bith sa bheil cail oilbheumach no
truailleach.</font></div>
</div></div><font face="Arial">
<br>
<fieldset></fieldset>
<br>
<pre>_______________________________________________
Discuss mailing list
<a href="mailto:Discuss@lists.osgeo.org" target="_blank">Discuss@lists.osgeo.org</a>
<a href="http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss" target="_blank">http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss</a><span class="HOEnZb"><font color="#888888">
</font></span></pre><span class="HOEnZb"><font color="#888888">
</font></span></font></blockquote><span class="HOEnZb"><font color="#888888">
<br>
<pre cols="72">--
Randal Hale, GISP
North River Geographic Systems, Inc
<a href="http://www.northrivergeographic.com" target="_blank">http://www.northrivergeographic.com</a>
<a href="tel:423.653.3611" value="+14236533611" target="_blank">423.653.3611</a> <a href="mailto:rjhale@northrivergeographic.com" target="_blank">rjhale@northrivergeographic.com</a>
twitter:rjhale
<a href="http://about.me/rjhale" target="_blank">http://about.me/rjhale</a></pre>
</font></span></div>
<br>_______________________________________________<br>
Discuss mailing list<br>
<a href="mailto:Discuss@lists.osgeo.org">Discuss@lists.osgeo.org</a><br>
<a href="http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss" target="_blank">http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss</a><br>
<br></blockquote></div><br><br clear="all"><div><br></div>-- <br><div><b></b><b>Jo Cook</b><br>Astun Technology Ltd, The Coach House, 17 West Street, Epsom, Surrey, KT18 7RL, UK <br>
t:+44 750 095 8167<br><div>
<a href="http://www.isharemaps.com/" target="_blank">iShare - Data integration and publishing platform</a><br><br>
***************************************** <font color="#ff0000"><br></font></div></div><div>
<br>
<font size="0.7em">
Company registration no. 5410695. Registered in England and Wales.
Registered office: 120 Manor Green Road, Epsom, Surrey, KT19 8LN
VAT no. 864201149.</font></div>
</div>