GeoExplorer

Introduction

GeoExplorer is a demonstration of GeoExt 1.0's capabilities in the form of a data viewer similar to ArcExplorer. It focuses on the display and management of layers (either from WMS or WFS), the ability to query and search across these layers, and the display of results. GeoExplorer is a tool for enabling people to answer questions or solve problems by exploring the data they already have.

RoadMap

Current Status

To run the application, set up GeoServer at /geoserver, check out the latest code, and run debug.html in a browser. 

    svn co http://svn.geoext.org/apps/opengeo/geoexplorer/trunk

Design

Other proposals

Tools

Map properties: The map properties dialog includes: metadata for the map consistent with the OGC Web Map Context document; a permalink to the saved map with the option to provide a short URL; and the ability to export maps in popular easily-distributable file formats (e.g., KML, Shapefile, and PDF). Note the "Contact" tab for providing contact information as described by OGC WMC.

Save map: As per this example, the Save Map button exposes a dropdown with options to overwrite the existing map or save it as a copy. Saved map instances are shared as permalinks which can be verbose or shortened URLs. To encourage the inclusion of metadata, another option of the Save Map dialog includes an extra step for verifying or adding metadata as well as convenient access to the export functions.

Print: See wiki:Printing Printing] spec.

Get Info / Identify tool: This provides a "drill-down info tool" that exposes features at any given point for every applicable layer. Since each layer has a different attribute table, the field names are displayed as a list paired with values. Note that, as per OpenGeo's GeoExt Interaction Guidelines, selecting a feature name highlights it and displays its values while double-clicking on a feature name selects it. See also: Summit Map

Find tool:This provides the ability to search by keyword (from the Features tab) or place name (from the Addresses tab). Note that, as per OpenGeo's GeoExt Interaction Guidelines, selecting a row highlights it while double-clicking on a row selects it. See also: GetSatisfaction thread

Measure tool: As per this example, the Measure tool button exposes a dropdown with options for measuring distance or area. Results are displayed as an Ext QuickTip with a dropdown to toggle units of measurement (e.g., feet, miles, meters, kilometers or sq. feet, acres, sq. miles, sq. meters, sq. kilometers, hectares, etc).

User Stories

Persistence

Frederick is GIS user in a government agency in the state of Massachusetts. From the vast collection of data available through MassGIS he assembles a map with data needed by Justin, his colleague in a different agency, for a project related to educational outcomes. How does he provide Justin with the required information?

GeoExplorer should enable exchange by generating permalinks, exporting PDFs, and supporting printing.

Exporting data

Once Justin receives the relevant data from Frederick he wants to create a new map for his project on the school board's geospatial server. To do so he first needs to export the data he needs, how can he do that?

GeoExplorer should make it easy for users to get at the data behind a map. Providing the ability to export from the layer or map properties dialogs goes a long way towards enabling that.

Simple analysis

Vicky is a sales manager for an agricultural supply company in southern California. She has data on users of her products and the soil conditions near them and needs to make quick visual comparisons between the two. She needs to look through the information and determine what her sales strategy should be. How can she measure distance or areas, search through her client list, and get information about specific areas?

GeoExplorer should enable people to solve their problems by making use of relationships within their data. Measuring, searching, identifying, and buffering are all tools used by many to explore their data.

Precedents

Attachments