Foundation and Mapserver MAP file manag e tool

[Doyon, Jean-Francois]

I agree for the need for such a tool ... We've been dying for one here.  I
also don't think it should be web based, but something that
geographers/cartographers could easily use, so a desktop application, a la
"Workbench"/ArcMap/etc ...

I actually started writing one using Python/wxPython!  But quickly ran into
issues with some of the design of MapServer, and problems integrating it
into a desktop app (vs. the web).  If anyone is curious, I could share my
experiences in this department.

I've since discovered and learned to love Eclipse though, so there's
definite potential there!  That'd imply a well supported Java MapScript
though ... Is it mature? (And even then, as I suggested, some changes to
mapserver would be necessary, bringing a C program into a purre OO world
presents interesting challenges ...).

Such a project could eventually find itself in the foundation, but yes, it's
inception should be community driven.

J.F.

-----Original Message-----
From: UMN MapServer Users List [mailto:MAPSERVER-USERS at LISTS.UMN.EDU] On
Behalf Of Steve Lime
Sent: December 14, 2005 10:38 AM
To: MAPSERVER-USERS at LISTS.UMN.EDU
Subject: Re: [UMN_MAPSERVER-USERS] Foundation and Mapserver MAP file manage
tool

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
light and sound - activate the windows | http://pobox.com/~warmerdam
and watch the world go round - Rush    | Geospatial Programmer for Rent