Frequent Q&A for Web-based Image Viewer and Web GeoViewer

General Question

What is Web GeoViewer ?

Web GeoViewer is an Internet-based mapping toolkit written and programmed by Liang Guo (guo@rohan.sdsu.edu). The development is to help users leverage existing investment in information, technology and people. Web GeoViewer is used for viewing intelligent maps, distributing crucial information over the Internet, enabling anyone-anywhere-anytime to interact with live spatial information. Fast, easy, flexible and stunning performance distinguishes Web GeoViewer as one of the leading Internet solutions for supporting Geographic Information Systems, Internet Mapping and Digital Image Processing applications.

What is Web-based Image Viewer ?

Web-based Image Viewer is an on-line analytical tool developed and maintained by Liang Guo (guo@rohan.sdsu.edu). Current implementation is emphasized on the web-based solution for fast delivery raster-based data to the end user. It allows you to optimize high resolution imagery, graphic map, and pictorial material for improved performance across the network, and to perform real-time interactive image analysis and visualization with enhanced GIS functions over the web.

What kind of applications might take advantage of Web GeoViewer or Image Viewer?

Geographical Information Systems, Digital Image Processing, Multivalent Document, Computer Aided Design, Digital camera photo album, Medical Imaging, Document Image Analysis, Multi-media library, Interactive database query, Statistical analysis, Scientific data visualization, Web browsing, Presentation software, Zooming layout of existing content.

What kind of organization and business can be directly benefited from Web GeoViewer or Image Viewer?

Business (real estate, retail, banking, insurance), Communication(location-based service, telecommunications), Education(university and community college, K-12, Primary, Middle and Secondary, digital libraries, museums), Engineering(pipeline, surveying), Natural Resources (agriculture, forestry, marine, coast, water, mining, petroleum, earth sciences), Government(homeland security, demography, law enforcement, criminal justice, public safety), Transportation(street finder, intelligent vehicle navigation).

What data format does Web GeoViewer or Image Viewer Support?

Current version is only supported ESRI Shapefile (SHP), Image File format TIF, JPEG, GIF, BMP, PNG and World File. Future versions will be dedicated on Autodesk DWG file, MapInfo MIF file, and ERMapper ECW file format.

Specific Question

I launched the demo but nothing is visible?

The problems might be your web browser. Both Web GeoViewer and Image Viewer require the Java compatible browsers and Java plugin. We recommend that you use the latest versions of Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator (minimum requirement 4.x or higher). To launch the demo, Java must be enabled in your browser. Windows, Solaris, and Linux users will be prompted to download Java Plugin if not pre-installed.

Why the viewer is freezing when I operate it?

There might be several reasons with that. Typically this error occurs when the Java VM is out of memory. Since the viewer is loading unconventional data, Memory Management is the major problem to play with the viewer, we are aware of this and will improve and balance it in both current version and thefuture release.

Current solution is to increase the memory parameters for the Java VM to avoid "Out of Memory" errors.
On NT, go to Start | Programs | Java Plug-in Control Panel, and on the Basic Tab set the required memory parameters in the field named Java Run Time Parameters:
javaw.exe -Xms10m -Xmx256m
Click the Advanced tab, check Enable Just In Time Compiler, and click Apply.

On UNIX (HP-UX, Linux, and Solaris), open the Java Plug-in Control Panel located at <JRE Installation Directory>/bin/ControlPanel. Set the required memory parameters in the field named Java Run Time Parameters:
-Xms10m -Xmx256m
Click Apply.

Some additional tips for users do not have desired computer and network system, but do want to play with the viewer:

• Try not to open and arrange image layers.
• Try not to turn lens on.
• Turn the GIS layers on as minimum as possible.
  

I am a non-English user, is there any other language that the Viewer will be available in?

Unfortunately, the viewer is currently only available in English. Anyway, the graphic user interface should be intuitive enough for the elimination of language barrier.

I try to print the viewer out but it is totally black. How can I make a print?

The viewer will not be directly printable in most browsers. Print function will definitely be the priority of the next version. The easiest way is to make a screen shot capture and print it.