Esri International User Conference 2001 Paper # 397 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources LandView -- Map Objects Application Development -- July, 2001

LandView is a WindowsNT/95/98/2000 program designed for the non-GIS user to view GIS data for Minnesota DNR.

In the department we have a very valuable suite of geographic data that otherwise requires learning complex data storage techniques before users can view them. These
basemaps such as Digital Orthophoto Quads (DOQs), Scanned USGS Quadrangle Maps (DRGs), National Wetland Inventory (NWI), Digital Plats Books, and DNR Land
Ownership are all tiled (stored in many pieces) because of their large size. This program makes communicating where the user wants to see data very straight forward while
the program finds the associated data pieces, displaying them as one seamless piece of information. All legends are pre-defined and pre-symbolized.

In the DNR, most employees do not have the luxury to spend the time needed to keep fluent with GIS software and to learn where and how data is stored. LandView takes
advantage of the current database architecture in place in the DNR.

This program will foster GIS knowledge. Users will become familiar with what information is available and will be empowered to use spatial data in their job. Some users
will want more and will move on to more complex software such as ArcView. This software is not a replacement for ArcView, but is designed to fill a gap in our information
access technologies.
 

It is important to understand that LandView can be run in three different modes: Lite, Standard, and Standard with no Plats.

     Lite mode is used in remote sites where DRGs, DOQs, and Plat data are not available because of limited hard disk space. This mode is seldom used but is
     needed when the program doesn't have access to a large local hard drive or network.

     The Standard version is for setups where data is available over a network or on one or more large hard disks. The difference between Lite and Standard is data
     availability. Standard mode is where LandView is the most powerful because the additional data gives the user more information.

     The Standard with no Plats mode is meant for installations outside the DNR, where disk space is not a problem, but where users are not licensed for use of the
     plats.

To change modes, use the pull-down menu in the Where Window under Preferences => Mode.