Online GIS and Spatial Metadata

Citation

du Preez, M. (2003), "Online GIS and Spatial Metadata", The Electronic Library, Vol. 21 No. 3, pp. 266-266. https://doi.org/10.1108/02640470310462489

David Green and Terry Bossomaier have been sharing two areas of interest over many years: environmental informatics and their involvement with Web technology. Their book, Online GIS and Spatial Metadata, is not about GIS (geographic information systems) per se, but does provide a brief primer on the basics thereof. They tried to give readers an overview of the basic technology involved in online geographic systems and outlined models for how the development of online geographic information might be coordinated. The authors aimed at providing a starting point for professionals who are trying to learn about the technology, or who need to set up and run their own online services. Another goal was to try and sketch out some ideas for future directions.

Given the alarming speed at which the field is changing, the authors have been careful to ensure that the finished text would remain current for a reasonable time. This they achieved by being less prescriptive about methods and details. They also deliberately avoided describing commercial products, except as examples to indicate directions that the technology is taking.

Chapter 1 offers some perspectives on global data and explains what geographic information systems are. It also highlights the advantages of distributed information systems following a brief overview on the rise of the Internet.

The technical methods involved in the development and implementation of geographic information systems on the Internet are introduced in chapters 2 to 5. The intention is to provide potential developers with technical details and examples to help them understand the issues. The technical issues involved in coordinating the development of geographic information in the Internet’s distributed environment are examined in chapters 6 to 11, starting off with an outline of the nature of information networks and some of the interoperable standards involved in distributed information systems.

The authors then look at the conceptual framework of metadata, by studying various standards on the Web. Several metadata standards in use around the world for spatial metadata are described and build on the XML work in chapter 5.

The final part of the book looks at the prospects for the future development of online GIS as well as the possibilities inherent in a global geographic information system. A closer look is also taken at some of the possibilities raised by online GIS.

Online GIS and Spatial Metadata is a well‐researched and systematically arranged book. The authors went to a great deal of trouble to include a number of practical examples and illustrations to explain the various concepts under discussion to ensure that readers understand the basic principles involved. A glossary and index provide useful means of quick reference. It is a very useful book for those interested in GIS and Web technology in general.