Mapserver virtualspatialdata

It's a long time ago since i posted something here... (got married in the meantime). These days we are working on an application in which users can insert point-data in an mysql-table. The data is displayed in the map afterwards.

The application is based on chameleon/mapserver. To present the data virtualspatialdata is used. The mapserver Wiki gives a clear description on how to implement is. However i'd like to point you on a single issue.

When i first tested my virtual ogr file using ogrinfo (on a windows 2000 sp3 server), I recieved messages that the file gcs.csv could not be opened, containing the projection information.

ERROR 4: Unable to open EPSG support file gcs.csv. Try setting the GDAL_DATA environment variable to point to the directory containing EPSG csv files.
ERROR 1: Failed to import LayerSRS `EPSG:28992'.

The reason was that i hadn't run setenv.bat.

Later when i tried to view the virtualdatalayer in mapserver i got the same messages. Apparently mapserver/apache/ogr also didn't know where to look for the projection-files. After introducing the parameter gdal_data in apache config the layer was displayed properly.

SetEnv gdal_data "/ms4w/tools/ogr-utils/data"

Good luck trying out yourself.

Msn virtual earth

So it seams MSN copied google's ideas to create a world-mapping-application... Unfortunately they lack speed and functionality. Test it at http://virtualearth.msn.com. It seems they virtually destroyed Apple's headquarters (1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA 95014) and reinserted old farm houses (= in that specific situation they used old photographic material).

*fun* Do you know what material the moon is made of primarily? Find out by zooming in at any position at http://moon.google.com

chameleon-shirts

I recently noticed you can buy t-shirts with the chameleon logo, so from now, you can show all you're friends, what you're working on (and hope they understand).

http://www.cafepress.com/maptools

satellite imagery of europe in Google maps

Google recently added satellite imagery of the whole world to its fast mapping service. Until now only the united states could enjoy their fast mapping service. But we're very pleased to see the whole world getting visible in google maps

Very interesting is the imagery of Africa. A part of the world where not much internet-mapping is available (in most cases, no maps are available). Maybe the google service can aid scientists and development workers there by providing easy-to-use, fast imagery of the region. Personally i visited Cameroon, Kenya and Guinee and could easily point out the various trips i made to maintains and cities.

Variables in CF

Try this out...

<cfoutput>
<cfset x["y.z"] = "a">
#x.y.z#
<cfset x.y.z = "b">
#x.y.z#
#x["y.z"]#
<cfdump var="#x#">
</cfoutput>


the amazing world of CF