[mapserver-users] National basemap data - WMS service

[percy]

You might be able to get what you need from the USGS' National Map
http://nationalmap.gov/
Depends on what scale you need...
Cheers,
Percy

Bruce Cheney wrote:
> I have been trying to hunt down a good US national basemap to use
> through mapserver, preferably a WMS service (unless there is a better
> option).  Alternatively I am also looking to put together our own
> national basemap to use.  I assume some of you have already been down
> this road so maybe can help.  
> 
> Here is where I have made it so far but I am struggling to find the good
> solution. Google, Yahoo, etc would require an annual fee (not cheap) to
> connect to their data (because parts of our site would make money even
> if it is not the maps). I am still trying to find out if they will give
> permission to connect as a WMS service.  From this user group I get the
> impression that that might not happen.  If we couldn't use WMS then we
> would have to connect through something like openlayers (still requiring
> the annual fee from the provider).
> 
> If we try to create our own basemap, so far TIGER looks like it has the
> most accurate roads, water features, etc.  But the data all is chunked
> out by the county.  That could get hairy to put together in one and
> troublesome to load the proper layers if left separate.  Not to mention
> the size might require a small server farm.
> 
> Is there a better WMS connection we could use?  
> Is there a better basemap option?
> Is there a way to connect to OpenStreetMap (I couldn't find one)?
> Will I have hair left when I solve this problem?
> 
> Thanks all for any help you can give.
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> 

-- 
David Percy
Geospatial Data Manager
Geology Department
Portland State University
http://gisgeek.pdx.edu
503-725-3373