GeoNode for creating an online geographic atlas

With the onset of the digital age, printed hardcopy maps have lost their relevance. Instead, the more versatile, digital maps have arrived, which are served through the internet.  

Suppose you have geospatial datasets to combine and create thematic maps and then serve them through the web. GeoNode may assist you in executing your desired task. Web maps can be shared in one of the many raster or vector formats (GDAL supported formats). 

WebGIS

When the users (or clients) access these web maps, it follows some standards defined by Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC). GeoNode supports standard OGC services such as WMSWFSWCS and CSW. It is a fully open-source platform officially recognized by Open Source Geospatial Foundation (OSGeo). 

It is used by organizations to build:

– geospatial content management systems

– nodes of spatial data infrastructure (SDI)

– open geospatial data catalogues 

The SDI thus created interactively connects spatial data, metadata and tools with the users. The ultimate product is an intuitive web-based graphical user interface that can become a valuable collaborative platform for multiple stakeholders.

From Passive Map Reader to Active Map User: The Rise of Interactive Maps and Visualization

Maps are no longer a by-experts-for-experts kind of entity. With the advent of web-based and interactive mapping technologies, the type of audience has kind of generalized to the level of a common man. A map reader is no longer a map reader but has become a map user. From a map designer’s perspective, it is another step ahead to be able to reach that level. Here, I outline my viewpoint and the future directions for the field of interactive maps and visualization.