Foundation and Mapserver MAP file manag e tool

[Jody Garnett]

Doyon, Jean-Francois wrote:
> 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 ...).
>   
We do have uDig based on Eclipse, and there is already talk of an 
"Export to Geosever" plugin.
I will also point people in the direction of the OpenSDI mailing list 
where several projects, including
Mapserver are looking at supporting a common configuration system. If 
someone is interested and "Export
To Mapserver" plugin could be written.
> Such a project could eventually find itself in the foundation, but yes, it's
> inception should be community driven.
>   
And the community is already driving, tricky part is knowing the right 
lists/people.
-<http://lists.eogeo.org/mailman/listinfo/opensdi>

EOGEO is hosting this link and is worth looking into if you are not 
already familiar with them.
-<http://www.eogeo.org/>

I would also encourage people to check out a recent seminar where a lot 
of open source projects
were represented.
-<http://www.miles.geo.ar.tum.de/virtualseminar/>

Later,
Jody
> 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,
> --
> ---------------------------------------+--------------------------------
> ---------------------------------------+------
> 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
>