gis-l: SHRUG Workshop FDEP Users Meeting Summary

[Clay, Linc]

GIS Users,

The 2nd Annual SHRUG GIS Workshop was a great success.  The Workshop =
offered
five certified GIS/CAD software training courses as well as a host of =
papers,
sessions, posters and the doctor's shop.  One of the sessions was the =
FDEP
GIS Users' Special Interest Group meeting.  This GIS-L presents a =
summary of
what was presented and discussed at the FDEP Users Group meeting.

> BIS/GIS with help from Richard Butgereit (WRM) and Mercily Toledo =
(SWD)
> presented the following topics.
>=20
> *	ArcView 3.x to ArcGIS Migration Plans
>=20
> In consultation with Divisions and Districts GIS coordination staff,
> BIS/GIS proposes to migrating away from ArcView 3.x, with a support =
cutoff
> date of 12/2004.  BIS/GIS will try to determine which of the FDEP and =
ERA
> extensions features and functions are critical so we can try to =
provide
> them in the ArcGIS environment (see the GIS Use Reassessment topic =
below).
> The issue of training will need to be sorted out. =20
>=20
	* One issue raised in regard to migrating to ArcGIS is that not all
GIS users have desktop machines sufficiently powerful to run ArcGIS.
	* Another issue raised was the lack of information on ArcIMS internet
mapping alternatives to ArcView 3.x for data browsing.  There are a =
number of
such sites available from several different intranet web pages, but they =
are
not widely known.  It was suggested that we use GIS-L to remind users of
these ArcIMS alternatives.=20
	* It was also suggested that we advertise which layers are available
from which ArcIMS sites.
	* Lastly, it was suggested  that we better publicize the benefits of
using ArcGIS.

> *	Training
>=20
	While BIS/GIS is no longer capable of providing free training (free
to the student, not free to BIS), we will continue to ensure that =
training
opportunities are available.  Please remember to consult the BIS/GIS web
pages for training information.  Please remember as well the ESRI =
virtual
campus, the on-line tutorials available via the intranet, and local =
providers
such as colleges and universities.

> *	GIS Needs Assessment Update
>=20
	As requested by the users in the GIS Needs Assessment, FREAC is
creating a 2002/2003 imagery layer that should be completed shortly =
after the
new year.  Additionally, a contract is being developed to hire FREAC (in
cooperation with SWFWMD and others) to create a cadastral layer.  These =
two
layers were the first and second most important data needs identified by =
the
assessment.  Also on the progress front, BIS has purchased 2TB of =
storage
into which all the imagery will stored in ArcSDE format.  This should =
make
for easier and faster imagery access in ArcGIS.  (Neither ArcView 3.2a =
nor
3.3 can read imagery from ArcSDE.)

> *	GIS Use Re-Assessment
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	In order to help provide alternatives to ArcView 3.x, BIS/GIS would
like to create a quick and easy survey to characterize GIS use in the =
agency
(data browsing vs. data creation vs. map production), GIS platform (size =
and
OS of machine), better estimate the volume of use, and prioritize the
extensions required for efficiency.  The SIG agreed to complete the =
survey if
we promise to make it short and sweet.

*	IMS Update

	The progress of the IMS and its relation to GIS was discussed.  For
GIS users, the IMS is resulting in better data creation/verification =
tools,
upgrades to ArcSDE 8.3, and ultimately better data structures that will
provide an integrated view of information.  BIS/GIS is currently working =
on
mapping components that will live inside Oracle forms, providing =
one-stop
data entry/update capabilities.

There was also a discussion of data updates.  Who is responsible for =
finding
data?  Who will identify data needs?  What format is best?  The =
consensus was
that the data users will need to be responsible for identifying =
available
data and needed data.  When available data is found, if it can be sent =
to
BIS/GIS with the metadata (projection, source, lineage, etc) in an ESRI
format, it can be added to ArcSDE fairly easily. =20

Thanks to all those who attended.

-Linc

Linc Clay
FDEP/DRAM/BIS/GIS
2600 Blair Stone Rd, MS 6520
Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400
Voice: 850-245-8295, SC 205-8295
Fax: 850-245-8263, SC 205-8263
Email: linc.clay@dep.state.fl.us