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Abstract
MENRIS Data Server System Using ArcIMS: A Step Towards Regional Geographic Information Infrastructure (RGII) in the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) Region
Track: Metadata and Data Publishing
Author(s): Sushil Pandey
The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) through its Mountain Environment and Natural Resources Information Systems (MENRIS) program has been focusing on GIS capacity building and networking of the national institutions in the HKH region to promote the development of geographic information, its sharing and effective use of GIS and remote sensing (RS) since early 1990. The developments in Internet Mapping technology such as Esri's ArcIMS has leveraged to publish potential geographic and associated information through the Internet. To take advantage of this, an integrated system - MENRIS Data Server System has been designed and developed with an aim to provide a platform to share databases and metadata residing in MENRIS and its partners through the Internet.
The system includes a Metadata Editor for customized entering and viewing metadata. The editor has been developed using Visual Basic and ArcObjects (metadataEdit interface) and integrated within the ArcCatalog environment. It has an easy-to-use interface that is targeted to the groups in the region who need only basic but relevant information. A custom XSL stylesheet has also been created to display the metadata information pertinent for MENRIS. The editor produces metadata compatible with FGDC XML format which can be viewed though the Internet browser. Users can view the metadata using the MENRIS stylesheet or other standard stylesheets within ArcCatalog such as FGDC, Esri or Geography Network. Next, an ArcIMS application has been developed to define information required by a prospective user to determine whether or not the particular geospatial data is available, and the means of accessing them on-line. A spatial search engine has been made available with the spatial and textual search capability to view the data and the associated metadata. Customised interfaces for data query have been developed using ArcIMS tools and Active Server Pages. The main advantage of the system is to be able to use Internet browser as a client to view the metadata with the same look and feel of ArcCatalog and access data through ArcIMS application.
The system has helped in organising, documenting and disseminating ICIMOD's data. Its potential will be realized when all ICIMOD partners will join together to publish their data and metadata using the system. Such a network will make it possible for a user to know about any existing geographic information in the HKH region, an important step towards realising the vision of a Regional Geographic Information Infrastructure. Further, this can contribute to bridging the data gap in the region and global data sharing initiatives such as Geography Network.Com and others.
Sushil Pandey
ICIMOD
G.P.O. Box 3226
Kathmandhu 977
Nepal
Phone: +977 (-1) -5253
E-mail: spandey@icimod.org.np