Spatial Information Systems which you can Make
Databases
Text, table, image, map, and multimedia files can be built into
the databases. All of them have to convert into web pages readable format. Then FrontPage 98 will hyperlink them on a homepage or web page. For an institution consists of several topographic maps at a scale of 1:50000, even more than 100 sheets, an index map for these topographic maps can serves as the base web page. Every kind of information can be extracted sheet by sheet using Internet Explorer or Netscape Communicator. Every single sheet of topographic map is stored as a web page and hyperlink all relevant information to it such as attribute, image, statistical chart, other maps.
For Internet database application, we need commercial relational database management software and a little bit of programming say, Visual Basic (McManus. 1998).
System Functions
System functions provided by the spatial information system can produce composite information products because the spatial references match. You can extract spatial information layer by layer, sheet by sheet, even all map sheets together.
All information can be extracted on a color monitor for further analysis. All functions provided by the information system can be in your own language because Window 95, 98, NT has this kind of capability. You should use Internet browser in you own language as well. System functions provided by the information system are all in your own language. It is easy to use because you only need to move a mouse and click it.
Output implementation is very easy. You can get an output simply click the print button. SQL inquiry is not provided but you can put into your information system using Visual Basic. For SVF map files, you only click the right button of a mouse, a menu will popup on a color monitor for further map manipulation.
Discussions
Analysis and geographic measurements are two types of functions not provided by this spatial information system in a very simple way. It is possible to create analysis and measurement functions into the system with some effort. But usually, a little bit of computer programming is needed.
The spatial information system is very easy to user because you can organize al information in your own way in order to solve your particular problems. The spatial information system can be configured in different style to meet different needs of one person, one department, or one institution.
You can bring all information into your spatial information system whenever they are in your personal computers. But all these information should be in some format that can be HTML readable. Otherwise some Internet plug-ins are required. You can use all computer software on your personal computers to manipulate your geo-coded data as well as attribute.
Conclusions
We have discussed how an you make your own spatial information system to solve your own problems in a more efficient way. This spatial information system takes advantage of Internet World Wide Web. You can put your information in a geo-code format using FrontPage 98 web authoring software. It is quite similar that you put composite overlay in a spatial reference system. A little bit of knowledge on HTML language is helpful but not necessary. Computer programming is required when you need more fancy functions to solve more problems. This information system is not trying to replace some commercial geographic information system software but is trying to make it as a companion tool to solve your own problems in a spatial context. This spatial information
system can be in a variety of types depends on your own imagination
References
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Chrisman, N. 1997. Exploring Geographic Information Systems. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 298 pages.
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McManus, J. P. 1998. Database Access with Visual Basic, SAMS publishing Inc. 706 pages.
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Morrison, Mike. Et. al. 1997. Using Microsoft Visual InterDev. Que Corporation. 888 pages.
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Pardi, W. J., E. M. Schurman. 1998. Dynamic HTML. in Action. Microsoft Press. 377 pages.
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Softsource Inc. 1998. AutoCad User's Guide to Vdraft. Softsource Inc. 66 pages.
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Sankar, K. et al. 1997. Internet Explorer Plug-In and Active X Companion. Que Corporation. 500 pages.
