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<font face="Arial">Hello Everyone,<br>
<br>
Since this is my first post on this list, here is a bit about me.
My name is Joseph Elfelt and I live near Redmond, WA. No, I am
not a GIS professional. Instead, I am a software developer
working with the <b>Google map API</b>. Anything I might know
about GIS is self-taught and related mostly to the <b>ArcGIS REST
API</b>.<br>
<br>
There are plenty of example maps where someone has used the Google
map API to display an ArcGIS MapServer layer. But those maps only
display whatever MapServer layer the software developer hardcoded
into their javascript. Now let’s take this idea a step further
and think about a Google map that is a generic viewer for multiple
user-specified ArcGIS MapServer layers.<br>
<br>
<b>Gmap4</b> is an enhanced Google map viewer I developed that can
(1) display user-specified ArcGIS MapServer layers and (2) display
all the attribute data when the user clicks on MapServer
geometry. This project is a public service and part of my way to
“pay it forward”. Anyone is welcome to display GIS data with
Gmap4 for non-commercial purposes. <br>
<br>
One Gmap4 map can have a combined maximum of 25 ArcGIS overlays
and basemaps. <b>Any public-facing ArcGIS MapServer layer, along
with its attributes, can be displayed using the familiar Google
map interface and a common feature set.</b> All the standard
Gmap4 features are available when MapServer data is being
displayed. This includes an automatic touch-friendly interface on
mobile devices (mouse interface on laptop/desktop), geolocation,
Google aerials, highest resolution USGS topographic maps (basemap
"t4 Topo High"), search, UTM grid, USNG grid, current declination,
coordinate conversion, link to the map on your screen, GPX file
creation and more.<br>
<br>
To demonstrate this generic GIS display feature I have an ongoing
project to (1) locate ArcGIS REST services and (2) make Gmap4
links to display <b>recreation-related MapServer data</b>. This
project also includes map links that display <b>weather and
wildfire GIS data</b>. Some maps cover the USA and some focus
on specific states. So far, <b>Oregon</b> plus 9 other states
are done and more are in the works. In particular I am always on
the lookout for layers that display publicly owned land. I have
posted about these map links in various outdoor forums and got
great feedback since this kind of GIS data is something people
want and can immediately use. Below is the homepage for this
project. <br>
<br>
Please click <b>"About this map"</b> in the upper left corner of
any map to:<br>
* View the map legend<br>
* Learn how to turn GIS layers on/off and restack layers<br>
* Get other tips for using the map<br>
<br>
<b>Recreation maps:</b> <a
href="http://www.propertylinemaps.com/p/public_land_map.html">http://www.propertylinemaps.com/p/public_land_map.html<br>
</a><br>
Yes, user-specified <b>WMS layers</b> are also supported.
Sometime in 2015 I plan to add support for <b>ArcGIS ImageServer</b>
data.<br>
<br>
The Gmap4 documentation shows the <b>simple syntax</b> that
specifies GIS data for the map. Newbies to GIS can learn how to
locate GIS servers and identify MapServer layers.<br>
<b>GIS Viewer:</b> <a
href="http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4_gis-viewer.html">http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4_gis-viewer.html</a><br>
<b>GIS Help:</b> <a
href="http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/help_files/gmap4_gis_help.html">http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/help_files/gmap4_gis_help.html</a><br>
<b>GIS More Help:</b> <a
href="http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4_gis_more_help.html">http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4_gis_more_help.html<br>
</a><br>
The “GIS More Help” page includes <b>numerous links to federal
and state ArcGIS REST services</b> that have many hundreds of
data layers that Gmap4 can display. These links were all in
working order as of mid-March 2015.<br>
<br>
The Gmap4 homepage has a FAQ, examples, quick start info (on the
Help page) and more to quickly get you up to speed.<br>
<br>
<b>Gmap4 default map:</b> <a
href="http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.php">http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.php</a><br>
<br>
<b>Gmap4 homepage:</b> <a
href="http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.html">http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.html</a><br>
<br>
I am always happy to answer questions and talk maps.<br>
<br>
Joseph Elfelt<br>
<a href="http://www.mappingsupport.com/">http://www.mappingsupport.com/</a></font>
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