A total beginner's question

[Tyler Mitchell]

> Having absolutely no experience with GIS, I was encouraged to read about
> mapserver's connectivity with MySQL and Perl, and have just installed the
> latest source code, and look forward to testing the server.

Welcome aboard.  I'm not a MySQL user and have barely used Perl MapScript, but
this would be a more advanced solution for a beginner.

> Is there a simple guide available that does not assume any GIS background?
> I still need some basic questions answered, such as:
>
> 1) Is map data (i.e. maps of countries) freely available? Is that a
> separate download?

You will probably find a lot of options.  You should probably start with
trying to find some "shape files" - that is a common GIS file format.

> 2) Is the impression that Mapserver uses MySQL to store data correct? What
> type of information is stored on MySQL, and why was there no reference to
> MySQL accounts during compilation?

MySQL is only one option, and you will have to do some special compile/set up
steps to get it working.  I can't speak to the specifics myself though.

> 3) MapScript: is there documentation for it? Has it been downloaded with
> the server source package?

Yes it is part of the source package in mapserverxxx/mapscript/perl has the
perl stuff in it.

> Any pointers as to how to get up to speed with Mapserver would be most
> appreciated.

I'm writing a book - hope it will help :)  Otherwise, keep in touch with the
list and we'll get you running.  If you can use IRC/chat go to
irc.freenode.net and join #mapserver.  Usually some helpful folks there.

Tyler