MapGuide or GIS Viewer?

[Anonymous]

I am wanting to create an In-House map of our state that incorporates
published maps and our own data for use by our staff. I recently learned
that Mapguide is available via Open Source. I am wondering if I should
invest the time in learning and setting up Mapguide or would it be easier to
have users run a free GIS viewer such as TatukGIS or ArcExplorer and set up
maps for them?

The users will need to be able to toggle layers, theme their maps, perform
queries and print their maps. They may need to add their own data on
occasion. They will probably want to import their data into Autocad somehow
if it can be done fairly easily.

So far I am not impressed with ArcExplorer as it slow and doesn't seem to
allow theming of data. TatukGIS looks quite capable but also requires more
effort for users to learn how to use it.

I'm open for other suggestions. This is an experiment at this point so I
don't have the option to buy software.

[tjmapper]

My background with Mapguide has been brief.

My company recently purchased it around July and we have been able to setup a fully functional mapping system with tens of thousands entities.

I say purchase because we went with MapGuide Enterprise. I needed the support from autodesk to swing my employer to go to this system. You can get a 60 day trial of mapguide enterprise from the autodesk website.

The only limits on mapguide are the information you have and your ability to code it to do what you want.

I Highly recommend the 60 day trial.

[Anonymous]

What you are asking can be done in MGOS providing on your programming
skills. Do you know php or java? Toggling layers on/off is OOTB the themeing
and querying is not so simple yet can be done and there are samples on the
MGOS sites and the folks on the mailing list over there can guide you as
long as you treat them well to start off with. ; )

--

Murph
http://map3d.wordpress.com/


"neilw" wrote in message
news:6293838@discussion.autodesk.com...
I am wanting to create an In-House map of our state that incorporates
published maps and our own data for use by our staff. I recently learned
that Mapguide is available via Open Source. I am wondering if I should
invest the time in learning and setting up Mapguide or would it be easier to
have users run a free GIS viewer such as TatukGIS or ArcExplorer and set up
maps for them?

The users will need to be able to toggle layers, theme their maps, perform
queries and print their maps. They may need to add their own data on
occasion. They will probably want to import their data into Autocad somehow
if it can be done fairly easily.

So far I am not impressed with ArcExplorer as it slow and doesn't seem to
allow theming of data. TatukGIS looks quite capable but also requires more
effort for users to learn how to use it.

I'm open for other suggestions. This is an experiment at this point so I
don't have the option to buy software.

[Anonymous]

My programming skills are nada. I want a client interface that is simple for
the users and yet does not require programming on my part. In the Mapguide
Demo I saw, it looked pretty simple to add content and publish a map. The
client interface looked adequate as well. I just don't know what would be
involved in getting the server set up or in administering it. I have Domain
Admin priveleges but I have no training in network administration. If we
have to call in the IT consultant I'd have to talk to management about it.
Before going that far I want to have other options to present. Are there any
white papers you would recommend on this Murph?

[Anonymous]

If I can do it you can do it. I have set it up on my laptop since 2007
versions with out any trouble. If you go with either version there's some
white papers (PDF) or follow me instructions on it. Pretty simple setting it
up. Just follow the documentations and don't over think it. As for the
programming you may not need to do much depending on how much you want the
user to have control and query objects.

--

Murph
http://map3d.wordpress.com/


"neilw" wrote in message
news:6293925@discussion.autodesk.com...
My programming skills are nada. I want a client interface that is simple for
the users and yet does not require programming on my part. In the Mapguide
Demo I saw, it looked pretty simple to add content and publish a map. The
client interface looked adequate as well. I just don't know what would be
involved in getting the server set up or in administering it. I have Domain
Admin priveleges but I have no training in network administration. If we
have to call in the IT consultant I'd have to talk to management about it.
Before going that far I want to have other options to present. Are there any
white papers you would recommend on this Murph?

[gslim]

The users will need to be able to toggle layers,
theme their maps,
perform
queries and
print their maps.
They may need to add their own data on
occasion.
They will probably want to import their data into Autocad somehow
if it can be done fairly easily.

Based on your requirements you need a stand alone GIS program rather than a webmap. If not all your requirements are acutally required you can get by with simpler systems. If you are looking at ArcExplorer I am assuming you have ArcDesktop. You can get a publisher extenstion pretty reasonable and push out maps to ArcReader wich is free, can toggle the layers on and off, identify and print maps. However you can't add data, and the queries are limited and the maps will look the way you publish them. For all the items you are looking at I would look at QGIS. I However there will be more training involved. I have found that 80 percent of my users can get by with ArcReader.

[Anonymous]

ArcPublisher is an option I hadn't considered. I am going forward with
MapGuide mainly because I can easily push out maps to any user without their
having to install and learn software. Obviously we can't meet all the
desired functionality without customizing it, but I am hoping it serves the
bulk of their needs.

I haven't heard of QGIS. I'll have to check it out.

Thanks



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[JohnPM]

What would be nice it to see design review push out more functionality for GIS users and use DWF alongside with SHP.. I create all my maps and layers in Autocad Map but have my users view them in ArcExplorer only becuase of the theming and query tools. Design review and ArcExplorer are both free programs which fits into their budget.



John