Timestamped Map

[Brent Fraser]

Charlie,

 I'm not sure if this is the best way but we did something similar a couple
of years ago using the following layer definition:

LAYER
  NAME "TimeStamp"
  TYPE ANNOTATION
  STATUS DEFAULT
  TRANSFORM FALSE
  FEATURE
    POINTS 20 20 END # Text in Upper-left
    TEXT "Terra MODIS [imagedate] [imagetime] UT"
  END
  CLASS
        LABEL
          COLOR 255 255 255
          OUTLINECOLOR 0 0 0
          TYPE TRUETYPE
          FONT comic
          SIZE 16
          POSITION AUTO
          FORCE TRUE
          OFFSET 10 10
          PARTIALS FALSE
          WRAP ","
        END # Label
     END  # CLASS
END


In our case we pre-processed the map file to substitute the "[imagedate]
[imagetime]" with the date the data was aquired (not the date the map
graphic was generated) by using some purpose-built software on the server.

I think you would be able to use a CGI variable to change the text, but I
haven't tried it.  I think the CGI syntax would be something like:

...&map_TimeStamp_feature_text=Terra+Modis+20041025&...

and you'll likely need URL encoding for characters other than alphanumerics.

Brent Fraser
GeoAnalytic Inc.



----- Original Message -----
From: "IMD Listuser" <imd_listuser at COMCAST.NET>
To: <MAPSERVER-USERS at LISTS.UMN.EDU>
Sent: Monday, October 25, 2004 7:38 AM
Subject: [UMN_MAPSERVER-USERS] Timestamped Map


Greetings,

Id like to place a timestamp on each map that is created.

What is the bext way to do this? Im using mapserver cgi version 4.2 and
Id prefer to not change this configuration. If possible Id like to do so
using the map file or dhtml.

TIA

Charlie