Can I build my own online mapping site?
Yes!
- Option 1 - Use one of our cutomized templates.
- Option 2 - If you are interested in building a more advanced site, contact RDMS staff to arrange a consultation.
Building an online mapping site.
Online mapping sites can be created using a myriad of programming languages and
software. In general, serving an online mapping site only requires a web
server that is accessible from the Internet and some knowledge of a development
environment. To create an online mapping site, one can use a number of wizard-based
tools that easily build a site with little or no programming knowledge. In addition, some
software have easy to use APIs for minimal scripting development. All in all, it can
be fairly easy to develop an online mapping site.
In some cases, however, those that are working closely with data do not have even the minimum knowledge to create the mapping site they wish to serve or the web server needed to serve the mapping site to the public. It can be very daunting to learn web programming languages (HTML, PHP, Javascript, etc.), database software (ORACLE, MySQL, Access, etc.), and server administration. This is where RDMS can help!
We can do that!
RDMS staff has the required knowledge to quickly get a mapping site on the web for you.
Building a site can be fairly simple. The diagram to the right should help you understand the
workflow of creating an online mapping site using RDMS staff assistance.
We are calling these sites: GeoViewer Sites.
About the GeoViewer Templates
RDMS offers two site starter templates that you can use to build your GeoViewer site quickly. One is based on ArcGIS Server and the other is based on Google Maps. Simply, tell us which of these templates you wish to use, what changes or additions you would like to have in the site, and what data you are intending to map?
To help the flow of discussion at our first consultation, we have created a series of pages where you can specify some of the functions and tools you wish to use in your site. Visit the GeoViewer pages to get started.
The Workflow
To begin building a site, we ask that you visit the GeoViewer pages, select the options that you wish to see incorporated into your mapping site, and submit the summary of options. This summary will be sent to RDMS staff, and someone will contact you to set up a consultation appointment. You will be asked to bring your digital data and images that you wish to have included on your mapping site to this consultation. At the meeting, RDMS staff will review your selections with you and discuss the customization of your site. RDMS staff will then build your site. Multiple consultations with RDMS staff may be required to get the mapping site in final form. Once the site is completed, RDMS will continue to maintain the site on RDMS web servers and will entertain requests for updates. (Please note that some updates can require "down time" for the mapping site, and RDMS reserves the right to deny update requests based on staffing time involved.)
If you are interested in building a more complex site, we recommend that you contact RDMS directly to arrange a meeting. We will work with you to build a site that meets your needs. Call us at 831-DATA or email at rdms-info@udel.edu.