Infrastructural Issues

1
Infrastructural Issues

• Things you need to think about which might affect
  your and your students use of OS MasterMap

2
System Requirements

• For MasterMap Download
• fast network connection
• up-to-date web browser
• Javascript enabled
• access to email
• For GIS
• this will differ between applications
• Example ArcGIS (preferred configuration)
• Windows XP
• 2.4 GHz processor
• 512 Mb memory
• 160Gb disk space
• 17 flat screen/19 CRT monitor

3
Software - GIS

• OS MasterMap requires the use of a GIS
  application
• Most common in academia are ArcGIS (from ESRI)
  and MapInfo
• Both available under CHEST licences
• Other examples
• Landserf
• CadCorp SIS
• Autodesk Map 3D 2007
• Free software is also available (see handout)

4
Software translation/conversion

• Many applications will not accept GML (compressed
  or uncompressed) directly
• Translation or conversion software required
• ArcGIS needs MapManager 9.1
• MapInfo v.6.x or 7.x needs OSM2MIF
• MapInfo v.8 takes GML directly
• Translators can be free
• OSM2MIF (written by Nigel James, Oxford
  University)
• MapManager free with ArcGIS
• More information on GIS and translation software
  at http//www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/prod
  ucts/osmastermap/information/technical/software.ht
  ml

5
Hardware

• MasterMap data are 3-5 times larger
  (uncompressed) than Land-Line
• how much disk space is available for staff and
  students?
• is it enough?
• do they need more?
• how much data are they likely to store locally?
• can storage problems be overcome by pre-preparing
  data and storing it in a VLE?
• not ideal if you want to teach data management

6
Data volumes

• Notes
• Converted to Shape using MapManager Geodatabase
  Filter
• Converted to Shape using ArcToolbox Shapefile
  Export
• The GML data covers a slightly larger area since
  it is hairy i.e. objects continue outside
  rectangular tile boundary.
• This is the equivalent of 4 x 110,000 tiles plus
  2 x 12,500 tiles of rural area.
• This is equivalent to 4 x 11,250 urban tiles

7
Printers

• OS MasterMap Topographic has coloured polygons!
• A colour printer will give more satisfactory
  results
• Are there implications for ink usage?
• Do students know where the colour printers are?

8
Email

• MasterMap Download uses email to notify users
  that their data is ready for collection
• Spam filters are they blocking email from
  edina_at_ed.ac.uk?
• Are the correct email addresses recorded in the
  EDINA database?
• Standard email addresses site reps can check
  the list of registered users

9
User Support

• Who are your local experts?
• Where are your local experts?
• To what extent are they prepared to help those
  outwith their department?
• Do you run standard training courses within which
  MasterMap might be included?
• You need to tell EDINA where there are
  significant gaps in local user support