[postgis-users] Client/Web based GIS using PostGIS

[Shaun Kolomeitz]

I wonder if I could pose some questions please for some collective advice/directions?

I'd like to set-up a situation where remote sites (over 50 on a poor 512/128 satellite connection, many more on ADSL or WAN) can add and view spatial/non-spatial data using some form of web-client or a relatively "low-fat" / customisable  (desktop) client. The user will need to see some background (raster and vector) data and be able to digitise on-screen as well as import shapefiles (usually converted from Garmin GPS data). In terms of getting over the crappy upload/download is there a way I could use a "cache" concept where locally used data can be downloaded to the client and new data uploaded (overnight or on the weekend ?) when the connection is not being used for other purposes ??? I'd like to bring in handheld (PocketPC) clients as well, but I suspect this may be more difficult.

The requirements are pretty straightforward (?) - allow users to add spatial data (points, lines and polygons), pop-up some standard forms based on the type of feature they are adding (a fire boundary, a pest or weed location or distribution, a monitoring site etc), allow users to upload photo point (and other) images to the server, provide hot-links to non-spatial data (Word docs, HTML pages etc). Typically we try to walk before we can run and like to start with something simple and easy to use and build on it from there (taking the users with us, rather than dumping them into the deep end of a complicated and intricate process). Can I use PostGres/PostGIS to store, retrieve and display georectified and non-spatial images ?

I've set-up PostGRES/PostGIS and have tested uDIG (which looks fantastic BTW) as well as Quantam GIS (which allows me to update PostGIS), but I'm also keen on "thin" (web-ish?) approaches like perhaps having an SVG window (what is better/best ?) for update purposes. I assume I can get away with a WMS (image) for "displaying" data, but would need a more "intelligent" window to permit updating. I'd also like to be able to distribute some data out via a WFS/WMS to other related (but not necessarily internal clients) who may be using MapInfo or ArcGIS products. There is an in-house ESRI standard so I really need to funnel data to/from ArcSDE / shapefile for broader Dept consumption on ArcGIS products.

Sorry to raise so many questions. However I get the feeling from what I am seeing that the Open and Free-er GIS products have really matured to a point where they are real contenders (and in some ways better) than their proprietary commercial cousins.

The first question is - Is it possible ? The second question is - How might I go about it ? I'll deal with the co$ts/resources later.
I'm happy to go off-line to discuss this and send a summary back to the list if appropriate.

Thanks in advance,
Shaun Kolomeitz
Senior Technical Officer
Systems & Support Branch
Parks Division
Environmental Protection Agency



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