Burnett Catchment Web GIS

[Robin.Ellis at dnr.qld.gov.au]

Thanks Steve. I'll try to elaborate a little on what we're trying to achieve
with Mapserver.

Ross Searle (Ross.Searle at dnr.qld.gov.au) and myself work on a project that
is attempting to get some of our existing land resource information out to
the community in a format that is easy to use and understand in a spatial
sense. Most of our historical datasets have been traditionally stored as
codes with accompanying technical documents and references. We've tried to
use Mapserver combined with mSQL as a database management system
(www.hughes.com.au) to deliver interpreted information combined with a real
world feel. We're also combining images and other multi-media, just to
enhance the appeal the system to a broader audience.

We're currently restricted to a small area geographically by reliance on
external funding. We'd like to extend both the geographical region covered
and the datasets incorporated, but we have to firstly prove that information
presented in this manner is useful and effective method.

Ross has done most of the work on the operatin of the interface. I've
decided to keep large operational images at this time (eg zoom in button),
as we are potentially dealing with individual clients who have never used
GIS, and perhaps would not be familiar with traditional operators. Again,
the check boxes and radio buttons for layer and query control are aimed
simply at creating the least amount of confusion possible. I realise we have
restricted ourselves to querying just 1 layer at a time, but am happy to
accept that at this time.

Mapserver was chosen for probably the same reasons everybody else is using
it. It flexible to suit a lot of needs, there's plenty of people around
willing to help out and give advice, and the cost really suits those of us
battling with ever decreasing government budgets! It's also pretty easy to
pick up the basic concepts - I have no Web background, but from a fairly
rudimentary knowledge of GIS I was able to pick up the basics of Mapserver
quickly, and I'm finding more people in my situation starting to do the
same.

That's really about it. I would appreciate any feedback or queries from
anybody. I apologise for any technical difficulties people have encountered
trying to access the site. We're trying to make it a bit easier to find, but
the wheels sometimes turn slowly. Please do have and a look and tell us what
you think.

http://www.dnr.qld.gov.au/resourcenet/land/lris/webgis/burnett/

Thanks.

Rob.

-----Original Message-----
From: Stephen Lime [mailto:steve.lime at dnr.state.mn.us]
Sent: Thursday, 15 June 2000 3:03
To: Robin.Ellis at dnr.qld.gov.au; mapserver-users at lists.gis.umn.edu
Subject: Re: Burnett Catchment Web GIS


Looks pretty nice to me. Mouse images are a bit distracting and seemed to
lag behind the cursor at times. Anyone know if it's possible to change the 
actual cursor using java? Could you ellaborate on the project a bit? What
other types of solutions had you looked at if any? What process did you
go through in designing the interface? 

Steve

Stephen Lime
Internet Applications Analyst

Minnesota DNR
500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155
651-297-2937

>>> <Robin.Ellis at dnr.qld.gov.au> 06/12/00 11:43PM >>>
Ross Searle and myself have finally cut through the redtape and put our demo
on an external server. Please have a look if you're at all interested. We
will add more datasets as time goes by, we just wanted to get it published
for the time being.

Any feedback will also be appreciated.

> http://www.dnr.qld.gov.au/resourcenet/land/lris/webgis/burnett/ 
> 
> It's a bit hard to locate without this link at the moment, as the
> adjoining pages haven't been updated. This will hopefully happen shortly.
> 
> Please take the time to have a look and a play, there's a tutorial
> provided from the intro page to give you some idea of the functionality.
> Any feedback is appreciated - be it alternative datasets that might be
> applicable, or even a new colour scheme. I'm interested in getting all the
> feedback I can.
> 
> I look forward to hearing from you all soon.
> 
> Rob.
> 
> 
> Robin Ellis
> Land Resources Officer
> Department of Natural Resources
> Burnett District
> ph: 07 4153 7843
> fax: 07 4153 7823
> Robin.Ellis at dnr.qld.gov.au 
>