Foundation and Mapserver MAP file manage tool

[Steve Lime]

I agree totally with Frank's assessment of the role of a foundation. If this is to happen I think it needs to be driven internally from within the MapServer community.

I too think it necessary, but I'm not envisioning a web-based tool. I'd love to see a map portfolio management tool developed. Something to manage common sets of configuration elements. At the DNR we have 20+ applications of various levels of complexity and in each one of them we have a lakes layer, always drawn the same. It would be cool if you could define a lakes layer "template" that would contain base info like color, datasource and such and then could develop "instances" of that template for specific applications. Each instance might have be a bit different but would draw upon the same template. Change the template and all the instances change, change an instance and the template (and other apps) are untouched. The management application would allow you to drag instances of a template into a new configuration (or create new ones). Perhaps this could be done via the web. I was also thinking about the possibilty of using Eclipse to build a MapServer IDE. Just some thoughts...

Steve

>>> Frank Warmerdam <warmerdam at POBOX.COM> 12/14/05 8:43 AM >>>
On 12/14/05, Eijnden, B. van den (Bart) <b.vdeijnden at agi.rws.minvenw.nl> wrote:
> Hi list,
>
> still one of the things really missing around Mapserver is a good universal
> web-based visual management tool for MAP files, which can export/deploy MAP
> files as well as import existing MAP files.
>
> Are there plans within the Foundation to address this?

Bart,

There aren't any specific plans for the foundation to pursue
technical developments like this.  In fact, there is some question
to what extent the foundation itself out to be driving or sponsoring
software development.  So in that realm things are "to be determined".

In any event, there are several web based interfaces to mapfiles
already in existance, such as the MapLab from maptools.org.
I'm not convinced that any of them are "universal" or even all
that great but then I haven't done any in depth investigation.

I'm not really sure how practical and useful such a tool would
be. And to some extent building such a thing would be stepping
on the toes of a number of existing projects - something that
should not be done lightly by the foundation.

Best regards,
--
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I set the clouds in motion - turn up   | Frank Warmerdam, warmerdam at pobox.com
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and watch the world go round - Rush    | Geospatial Programmer for Rent