[Openstreetmap] Re: [Mapbender-users] My City Map

[Arnulf Christl]

Sorry, cross post.

Anirban Biswas wrote:
> Hi
> 
>        I am very new to GIS and just few hours ago I downloaded
> MapBender and able to install it. Currently I fighing with it to learn
> the whole thing.

:-)

Hello,
sorry for not answering earlier but I was busy elsewhere and your 
question is rather broad... I'll try to give you a few first hints. 
Please let us know whether the documentation in the Wiki is any good for 
you.

>        Acctually my plan is to develop a electronic map of my City (
> Kolkata). My plan is like this , need a good paper map and scan it ,
> then use GRASS to digitize it then use MapServer or some Web Mapping
> tools to query the vector map generated by GRASS

This is a good plan, though you must know that this is a rather large 
task you set out on! Additionally make sure that you do not breach any 
copyrights of the paper maps doing this *before* starting!

It would probably be best to use a relational database for storage right 
from the start. At least make sure to create vector data that conforms 
to the OGC specs to get them managed easily later. Use the PostgreSQL 
database with the PostGIS spatial extension. Store the spatial data 
using the geometry datatype implemented with PostGIS (it is OGC). That 
way you will immedately be able to access it using GeoServer as WFS-T 
and render maps using MapServer as WMS. Once you have done this - and 
only then - you can start using Mapbender to show and navigate the maps. 
So this list might be of higher interest to you at a later stage only. 
But as you are here already you can come up with more questions as they 
arise, we will try to guide you to the corresponding sepcialists.

>        Since I have very little knowledge about GIS I wan to know is
> it possible to query the vector map I generated with GRASS. If
> possible then is there any good documentation from where I can learn
> MapBender.

Either use GRASS directly to edit the vectors or try qGIS to get started 
(mind me, I am neither GRASS nor qGIS user, so I cannot give you much 
practical advice). Mapbender currently implements basic digitizing 
functionality but it will take a few more weeks until it is available in 
a stable version. We are glad if you would start to test it as soon as 
we have something usable in the CVS. We will announce this on this list.

For higher level / power user editing it will be more comfortable to use 
GRASS, qGIS or uDig.

>         I also get very attracted to MapBender cause its wiki style.
> My plan is also develop my City map in a Wiki style cause it is almost
> impossible for a single mortal to digitize a City map by himself. So a
> web interface which can accept digital map of my city from other ppl
> will be helpful.

This is exactly what we are planning to use Mapbender for. But it is a 
rather extensive task and the Mediawiki software is cool but for some 
strange reason they do not have it running on PostgreSQL yet. That would 
make things a lot easier for us as we could store the geometries 
directly using Wiki tech for history and indexing.

>        Hope that I able to make you guys clear what I want ?? :-)

Yes you did and you are welcome to share more of your thoughts. 
Additionally you might want to get into contact with the Mumbai Free map 
project and openstreetmap.

http://freemap.in/
http://www.openstreetmap.org/

Have fun!

Best regards,
Arnulf.

> Anirban Biswas.
> --
> Masjid dha de, mandir dha de, dha de jo kucch dainda
> Par kisi da dil na dhain, Rab dilan vich rehnda..
> 
> English
> Tear down the mosque and the temple; break everything in sight
> But do not break a person's heart, it is there that God resides
> 
> 
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