Spatial data are frequently operated on from within many different software environments. These applications run on hardware ranging from hand held calculators to high-powered graphic workstations.  The basic data models for these operations are rapidly converging into two or three main formats (drawing file, shape file / geodatabase).

Various types of data constitute an individual GIS project or an enterprise geodatabase. In some cases, the data sources are similar. In others, they vary significantly. Survey, engineering and GIS analysis projects are currently able to receive data from either type of data model as well as from multiple data sources.

The March discussion topic introduces the current basis for constructing a work product, from these data models and sources, that conforms to the appropriate level of professional standards and parameters from the Surveyor's perspective.

Some questions that will be covered:

a.) Why do we need standards?

b.) Who pays attention to data standards (professionals, users, municipalities, map readers, etc)?

c.) What standards are currently in widest use (nationally and locally)?

d.) What is the range of formal criteria/standards currently in common use?

e.) What is the basis for the selection of different types of data in a project?

f.) What basic standards apply to data that are already commercially available versus data that are collected de novo with electronic equipment (PDA/GPS/TPS devices)?

g.) Where does the issue of Metadata fit in?

[recommended reading]

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