very complex maps

[Arnulf Christl]

Douglass Davis wrote:
> Hello All,
> 
> I have quickly learned that putting together a map such as the one that
> mapquest has, with all highways, cities, parks, bodies of water, and
> appropriate symbology etc. can be very difficult.  Is there a company
> that sells pre-made mapfiles and the all the appropriate and timely data
> to go with them?
> 
> Thank you!
> -d
> 
> -- 
> http://www.douglassdavis.com

Actually we'd like to share MAP-files (we put them under GNU/FDL) via 
web but there is no central place to put them for download.
It seems that every cartographic problem requires its own MAP files and 
classes and definitions. For the German ALK we have put together a set 
of thirteen MAP files plus creating several hundred symbol fonts to 
achieve the cartographic output. The result renders the official 
cadastral base map. Done using WMS standards only and way cool but 
probably not of the slightest use to you. It just shows that you might 
have to be quite creative in overlaying different geometries with 
different layouts to obtain a reasonable result.

We have some definitions for a road map using this concept, might be 
more interesting to you. This is an example WMS request using them:

http://wms1.ccgis.de/cgi-bin/mapserv?map=/data/umn/wesseling/wesseling_stadtkarte.map&&VERSION=1.1.0&REQUEST=GetMap&LAYERS=Nutzung%2CStrassen%2CStadtgrenze%2CStrassennamen%2Cwes_dsk_patch&STYLES=&SRS=EPSG%3A31466&BBOX=2568843.75,5631525.988,2570052.75,5632734.988&WIDTH=1000&HEIGHT=1000&FORMAT=PNG&BGCOLOR=0xffffff&TRANSPARENT=TRUE&EXCEPTIONS=INIMAGE

Where to put the corresponding MAP files? This question has been raised 
on and off in this list but never with any clear result (or did I miss 
it?). Any sugggestions anyone?

Best, Arnulf.