If you use Microsoft Windows software you are probably familiar with Internet Explorer which is the default file management system. Whilst this system of file management is more than adequate for most applications ESRI decided some time ago to develop an alternative which would offer a more comprehensive facility for ArcGIS users. This software is called ArcCatalog and allows you to, among other things, to preview maps and related data. Within ArcGIS v10 there is now also a version of the Catalog function included as part of the interface. This version of Catalog is designed to complement the separate ArcCatalog software facility.
This type of GIS browser based functionality is now also available for MapInfo and QGIS. All three desktop GIS browser facilities allow you to view which folders contain spatial data and what kinds of data it contains. This could be vector, raster or database files for instance. Vector files display an icon to show whether it is point, line or polygon data. Information is also displayed showing any relevant metadata concerning your files. The ability to preview your map layer and attribute data prior to loading into your GIS can be very useful.
Just like Internet Explorer you can also use these GIS browsers to search for files. Once you have found the file you are looking for, unlike Internet Explorer, you can preview it. These map files could be either vector, raster or database format. Besides a preview of your map layer you could also look at the attribute data which is connected to any vector layer. As previously mentioned, you can also look at any metadata which has been provided. Of course, none of this functionality is available within Internet Explorer, which is your standard method for managing files within the Windows operating system. These limitations within Internet Explorer explains why ArcGIS, MapInfo and QGIS now offer these specialist browser capabilities.
If you would like to further explore how GIS could help your organisation jps services offers one and two day training courses in QGIS, ArcGIS and MapInfo.
Just like Internet Explorer you can also use these GIS browsers to search for files. Once you have found the file you are looking for, unlike Internet Explorer, you can preview it. These map files could be either vector, raster or database format. Besides a preview of your map layer you could also look at the attribute data which is connected to any vector layer. As previously mentioned, you can also look at any metadata which has been provided. Of course, none of this functionality is available within Internet Explorer, which is your standard method for managing files within the Windows operating system. These limitations within Internet Explorer explains why ArcGIS, MapInfo and QGIS now offer these specialist browser capabilities.
If you would like to further explore how GIS could help your organisation jps services offers one and two day training courses in QGIS, ArcGIS and MapInfo.
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