[OKGIS] Streaming map data services for Arkansas. Oklahoma?

[David W. Wheelock]

Hi David,
 
I'm all about free data, maintained by others, provided in real-time so
that I don't have to download and maintain it.
 
That being said, bandwidth can be an issue.  If it's too large it makes
sense to download it.  However, bandwidth can also be managed with scale
dependent layers, so that you don't pull down too much at once.  It can
also be managed with the ArcGIS map cache (Tools>Options>Data
Interopability) and letting ArcMap cache the downloaded data on your
computer.
 
I use aerial imagery from streaming servers every chance I get.
 
This Arkansas data is the first useful data services I've found.
 
There's also a useful nationwide image service from the US Forest
Service called GeoMAC, www.geomac.gov.  It provides lots of base layers.
The symbology is not the best, but for providing base layers for
adjoining states, it works well.
 
Cheers,
David

________________________________

From: okgis-bounces at gis.gis.ou.edu [mailto:okgis-bounces at gis.gis.ou.edu]
On Behalf Of David Lowther
Sent: Monday, March 17, 2008 12:22 PM
To: 'Oklahoma GIS Community'
Subject: RE: [OKGIS] Streaming map data services for Arkansas. Oklahoma?



David,

Shelby, Learon, and crew in Arkansas are rocking these days. But, I have
to point out that (as you mention) the OK Data Warehouse Mapper has been
providing WMS (image service) for over 5 years, and enabling WFS (data
service) would be a minor enhancement.  Back in the day, the decision
was made not to provide data services via the OK Data Warehouse Mapper
because of bandwidth and server horsepower constraints. Additionally,
the people using the OK Data Warehouse preferred (no, we didn't ask them
ALL) to download and lay hands on the data they were using. 

Of course, times have changed.

One of the main issues that I brought up (and I believe you chimed in!)
during the statewide "needs assessment" performed via the NSDI grant to
the GIS Council was that of data services. Are they a good idea? Would
they be used? Are they a priority? Statistics in Arkansas clearly show
they are used. The good idea is debatable, but I say if the bandwidth
and horsepower are there then there is not a lot to lose. Another issue
is: what flavor of data service should be provided? Obviously the
primary client to these services is an ArcGIS desktop product. While
ArcGIS does provide support for WMS and WFS (the OGC standards) it is
clear that ESRI map services are better supported within ESRI products.

I'd love to hear from others on what they think. 

Do you currently use any image or data services? (On your desktop? In
your web GIS?)

Do you desire data services over image services?

Is the notion of service over download at all appealing?

If you are / would be a data provider, do you have issues with sharing
your data as a data service (where you have no say over symbology) over
an image service (where you have complete control)?

Interesting topic, David. Thanks for bringing it up!

David Lowther

________________________________

From: okgis-bounces at gis.gis.ou.edu [mailto:okgis-bounces at gis.gis.ou.edu]
On Behalf Of David W. Wheelock
Sent: Monday, March 17, 2008 12:29 PM
To: Oklahoma GIS Community
Subject: [OKGIS] Streaming map data services for Arkansas. Oklahoma?

Hi folks, 

I've discovered that Arkansas appears to be setting the standard for
data access in this region.  In addition to their data download that
they've had for a few years, like Oklahoma,
http://www.geostor.arkansas.gov/Portal/index.jsp
<http://www.geostor.arkansas.gov/Portal/index.jsp> , they're now
streaming data in ArcIMS as a Data Service, not just as an Image
Service.  This means you can load individual layers of Arkansas data
directly into your map and symbolize it however you'd like without
having to download it to your computer.

See here for instructions: 
http://www.geostor.arkansas.gov/Portal/htm/map_services_help/map_service
_access.html
<http://www.geostor.arkansas.gov/Portal/htm/map_services_help/map_servic
e_access.html>  

I thought OU CSA had an image service as a WMS service, but I haven't
been able to find it.  Does CSA currently have an image or data service
for its data?

Thanks, 
David 

David Wheelock     Application Specialist     david at oda.state.ok.us 

Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry
2800 North Lincoln Boulevard
Oklahoma City, OK 73105-4298
Phone: (405) 522-5477 FAX: (405) 522-3590
http://www.oda.state.ok.us <http://www.oda.state.ok.us>  

"We are usually convinced more easily by reasons we have found
ourselves, 
than by those which have occurred to others." 
Pascal <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blaise_Pascal>  

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