Base Technology for WMS

[Bernhard Klingseisen]

Hi folks,

I'm new at Mapserver and want to implement a webmapping environment with
database access. I've decided to use mapserver to visualize and query
shapefiles and data stored in Postgis.
First I want to start with a viewer for shapefiles with navigation
functionality (rectangle zoom), measuring tools (line and area), layer
management (set visible) and qery tools (e.g. get waterquality information
for a zip code area).

Now I've found information about using php/mapscript, javascript/dhtml
(itasca example) or java. It would be very thankful for any suggestions hwo
to realize the navigation and measuring in a rubber-band manner.

Cheers

Bernie