More info

[Stephen Lime]

 Not really. It's such a broad topic one hardly knows where to begin. In cases when
a user is already relying on GIS system (eg. arc/info or mapinfo), there are usually
utilities associated with that particular system for creating shapefiles. In addition, ESRI
themselves (or ESRI product users) distribute a number of programs for exporting to
shapefiles. I know, for instance, that mapinfo (.mif) and Tiger data are supported. Check
the ESRI website for more info.

The shapefile library distributed with the software also contains a couple of utilities for
creating shapefiles and XBase files via the command line. I've used perl to process
text files in batch mode writing shapefiles along the way.

One area I'm working on is mapscript, a perl interface to the mapserver. With it data from 
arbitrary database sources could be added to maps. I've no experience with some of the
spatial extensions to various databases (eg. oracle spatial data cartridge, SDE, etc.)

This is an area of the website that could be developed. Input from other users about 
getting data ready for the ms would be very helpful. If you have specific needs I'd be
glad to discuss strategies.

Steve  

Stephen Lime
Internet Applications Programmer
MIS Bureau - MN DNR

(651) 297-2937
steve.lime at dnr.state.mn.us

>>> <bhroma at emsphone.com> 05/07 2:53 PM >>>

     Is there any more documentation on getting data (maps, sales info) 
     from various formats into the Map server?  Any one working with other 
     databases, such as Oracle or text files?