Return to Map Making
What is a GIS?
Basically a combination of layered vectorial graphics, database data, and bitmap layers.
A good GIS ought to give you the tools to include existing 2D maps of varying quality into a defined 3D model of the world, and add information like travels, military campaigns, whatever. In short: about just the tool we all would love to have. Access database info by clicking a map: what kind of beasts live here, what monsters, what people?
So, how do we get one?
There are a couple of Open Source or Freeware GIS systems around:
GRASS is a well-developed, UNIX-based GNU project which has all the functionality mentioned above. Unfortunately installing and running it is far from easy on a Windows computer, requiring the user to install and then operate a UNIX environment. I'm still fighting the myriads of small mistakes someone with a UNIX 12 default ability makes.
It is a lot easier to run GRASS directly under Unix, especially if you want to use Quantum GIS as the graphical user interface. If you hesitate to install a Linux on a partition of your PC, try the GISIX CDs which will install an entire Linux plus a GRASS installation into a Ramdisk from a boot-enabled CD drive.
GRASS can do most of the things high end professional GIS can do, but it takes a lot of practice to work with it. Since I first wrote this page, I have been taking a GIS course, and I have found several new Freeware products.
GDV Spatial Commander is the most convenient freeware tool I have found so far, able to work with geo-referenced bitmaps (bitmaps with the info where to place them in a combined layered project) and vectorial data (both shape files and POSTGIS databases). You cannot geo-reference bitmaps with it, though.
There are a couple of Java-based Open Source GIS around that I have take a look at, Jump and its dialect DeeJump, and UDIG. So far I prefer Spatial Commander.
There's a Wikipedia article keeping up to date with the development, sparing me the typing:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_GIS_software
So this is my vision: an online server where people can get clickable maps or search for their Glorantha info using a form-based search engine.
The information provided would be free for introductory info, and would have to be bought from Issaries Inc. (or a licensee) for advanced material (i.e. inPrint stuff). Users could purchase these documents piecemeal (by search results) or wholesale (aka "GTA Heroes access"?), the database would keep track of what already has been purchased and re-serve that at a discount or without extra charge after some time has been elapsed.
This might even be an outlet for publishing unprinted material.
In addition, a Wiki-like interface would allow users to submit their own descriptions to the public segment, and an editorial team would review these and submit them to Issaries (or a licensee) for inclusion into the advanced information category. The authors would receive payment in the form of database access for their canonized material.
<Joerg>