Standard Classes/Styles for GNIS data?

[Bill Binko]

Hi everyone

I just added the GNIS "names" data to many of my maps here.  I was
wondering if anyone had any classes/style setup for them, or perhaps any
guidelines.

The dataset is kindof a mismash of items (Schools, Islands, Streams,
'PPL's), and just figuring out what's in there will be a challenge, let
alone setting up classes/styles/symbols for all of them.

They do a great job of "grounding" the maps: users can tell where they are
by the well known names.  However, it's a bit daunting since the dataset
only describes the "DESIG" as "Designation of the feature (PPL = Populated
Place)".  Also, since the data comes at the county level, I can't just do
a select distinct DESIG from it to see what they are (at least not until I
setup a virtual dataset that merges them-- a new attempt for me).

Anyway, the data seems so standard that I thought I might get some advice
from the list.

Thanks
Bill