ArcIMS Limitations

During the investigation and use of ArcIMS it was found that this piece of software has many limitations, unless one is proficient in XML coding. ArcIMS is a software program designed for setting up GIS applications and internet mapping on the internet. Because this type of software is still in its begiing stages of developement, the GIS applications are limited to mainly visula display of maps and simple querying tools. This is ideal for the purposed of the project, where people require a single value answer for forecasting or monthly averages. The software does not include "on-the-fly" updating capabilities so a direct link to current values is not possible.

The first major problem that was encountered was the difficulty in using raster format files in the ArcIMS structure. Although it does support these formats, it requires advanced XML understanding to re-code sections of the script. A significant amount of time was spent on this section of the project, but no raster solution was found. ArcIMS does support vector shape files, and they can be incorporated directly. It was decided that the raster based files used in the analysis should be simplified and converted into vector shape files. Thirty-two categories (maximum) were selected and average values for these ranges were calculated and entered into the attribute table. These shape file images are used in the ArcIMS forecasting application, so it should be remembered that ratio values shown are just averages of a range of values. Although this greatly simplifies the results and analysis, it was the only solution developed that would provide suitable results.

Due to the time constraints of calculating and entering average values as well as the fact that the analysis is greatly simplified in this format, it was decided that forecasting layers and applications will be the only ArcIMS section of the project. For monthly average values, more accurate estimates can be found in the Precipitation Atlas of the Results section of the website. orecasting layers and applications will be the only ArcIMS section of the project. For monthly average values, more accurate estimates can be found in the Precipitation Atlas of the Results section of the website. ey can be incorporated directly. It was decided that the raster based files used in the analysis should be simplified and converted into vector shape files. Thirty-two categories (maximum) were selected and average values for these ranges were calculated and entered into the attribute table. These shape file images are used in the ArcIMS forecasting application, so it should be remembered that ratio values shown are just averages of a range of values. Although this greatly simplifies the results and analysis, it was the only solution developed that would provide suitable results.