Why Are We Doing GIS?

PlanWeb FAQ’s

What is GIS? A Geographical Information System (GIS) is a computerised system for the collection, analysis, storage and manipulation of complex geographical information.

Why are we doing GIS? GIS will enable the development of a joined up approach to data and information sharing across the county including partner organisations. GIS will reduce duplication, confusion and costs and will facilitate a more open and inclusive approach to decision making.

Where is data stored? Geostore is the central repository point for data, where data is published to the relevant applications including PlanWeb.

What is PlanWeb? PlanWeb is a mapping tool, allowing users to manipulate complex geographical data and offers comparable functionality to MapInfo. PlanWeb is to all public sector partners of Lincolnshire County Council, including the district councils, Lincolnshire Primary Care Trust, Lincolnshire Police and Learning and Skills Council. To access PlanWeb partners need to provide their Public IP Address to [email protected] in order to gain secure access through the County Council website.

What does PlanWeb offer?  Map manipulation  Data creation, editing and annotation  Spatial and tabular querying  Scale printing within OS compliant templates  Layer Manager with Cartographic Legend  Comprehensive labelling and style override functionality for each layer  Base Map Picker and Overview Map  Thematic Mapping  Address Searching  Metadata Browser  Support for multiple languages  Map pins

How do I get a username and password? To get access to PlanWeb please email [email protected]

How do I use PlanWeb? A user manual is available for partners to download from this site. Training is available from Mouchel Business Services; please contact [email protected] for further information.

What is a Geoset? A Geoset keeps a collection of map layers (or tables) and their settings easily available, the same way a workspace works in MapInfo. The order of these layers and their properties will affect the way the entire layout will look. When all the layers are 'layered' on top of each other in the appropriate order, the result is a complete Geoset. Geosets help avoid the time consuming task of opening and ordering layers individually each time a user wants to work with them. How do I get the map to fill the screen? Sometimes, for example having the favourites or search panel activated in Internet Explorer whilst logging in to PlanWeb can cause the map to resize itself to fit the smaller layout window. The purple boxes at the top of the page allow you to re-size the map, to fit the map to the window click on the purple box with a cross.

What data is available? Data currently available covers a wide range of topics including Development, Census 2001 information and data from the Lincolnshire Research Observatory. For information about adding your data to PlanWeb please email [email protected]

If data appropriate to my work area is not available, how can I get this added? Complete the data request form on this site and email to [email protected]

Once my request for data is being processed, how long will it take before I can view it? All data requests will go through a screening process to determine the priority of upload, based on the ease of upload e.g. data type, Quality of data, Frequency of use and users that will benefit from the data being made available. Once the data request has been given a priority for upload you will be informed of the approximate amount of working days it will take to be uploaded and all checks completed before release.

What checks are in place to insure my data is uploaded accurately? All data goes through a four-stage process to ensure the accuracy of data. It firstly goes through a cleaning process with the data capture team, then the upload process in GeoStore, which checks the data as it is uploaded. Third an Oracle database checker is applied and a final check is carried out through revision of the data on PlanWeb before released.

Will sensitive data be secure? It is possible to create particular views of tables in the database. Views can be used to hide confidential or sensitive data while exposing non-confidential information to users. The system administrator can build a necessary view and can then grant permissions to access the view.

Can I query data? Yes, there are two options available to query data. The Query Builder allows tabular queries to be made on the attribute data from any of the currently displayed layers. This will enable you to quickly identify records of interest. The results are displayed in table format in the information window for ease of viewing. The Spatial Query Builder allows spatial queries to be built. Spatial queries are a core function of geographical information systems and will allow you to ask questions of the data, based on its location rather than on its properties.

When I click print nothing happens? When printing a map a new window will open containing a printable version of the map. In this window, the map can be sent to a printer or saved as a PDF. To view this window you need to ensure that your computer allows pop-ups.

How do I make Internet Explorer open a new window? Sometimes, when clicking on a hotlink, Internet Explorer closes down windows that are already open. In order to ensure Internet Explorer opens a new window open Internet Explorer, click on tools, internet options, advanced, take the tick out of ‘Reuse Windows for Launching Sites’, click apply, click ok. Can I save changes in the Annotation Layer? The current version of PlanWeb does not allow you to save changes in the Annotation Layer. However, you will be able to save changes in the Annotation Layer when an improved version of PlanWeb is launched later this year.

How can I access Mosaic data? Mosaic data showing information about the communities in Lincolnshire is currently available on PlanWeb. You can access the data in Layer Manager.

How often will the aerial photography be updated? An update of aerial photography will be available in the summer.

PlanWeb - How do I make Internet Explorer open a new window?

Sometimes, when clicking on a hotlink, Internet Explorer closes down windows that are already open. In order to ensure Internet Explorer opens a new window open Internet Explorer, click on tools, internet options, advanced, take the tick out of ‘Reuse Windows for Launching Sites’, click apply, click ok.