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ESTABLISHING AN OPEN, DISTRIBUTED GIS DATA
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VICTORINO AMORANTO BATO

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2/05 p:/CIRC/Date0ue.indd-p.1

ESTABLISHING AN OPEN, DISTRIBUTED GIS DATA ARCHIVE SYSTEM
By

Victorino Amoranto Bato

A THESIS

Submitted to
Michigan State University
in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of

MASTER OF ARTS
Department of Geography
2006

ABSTRACT
Establishing an Open, Distributed GIS Data Archive System
by
Victorino Amoranto Bato

Earth Observing System Data and Information System is an information
system for earth science being operated by NASA. An NRC evaluation of this
information system concluded the system as not flexible, too-rigid, and does not
meet the recommendations of the NRC for an information system that could
effectively serve scientific research. The Philippines NGII is also an information
system planned for development and is being headed by NAMRIA. The NGII was
scheduled to have been completed by 2005, but several problems have stalled
its implementation. Because there exists an absence of a truly functional
information system for geospatial data that could serve scientific research, a
need exists to create an ODGISDAS. Such a system will not only serve data
users in the Philippines, but will also answer the need for a more flexible and
adaptive system being envisioned by the NRC.

The ODGISDAS Landsatorg Philippines (http://202.90.128.189) was
established at the NAMRIA. Philippines. This information system is capable of
searching for Landsat data from the local database and from remote databases
at Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States of
America. The system is a “one-stop-shopping” portal for Landsat data and can be
accessed from the World Wide Web using any web browser. Landsatorg
Philippines and was created using hardware and software technologies

commonly found in government offices and universities.

DEDICATION

1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

2
Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over

the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering
over the waters.

3
And God said, "Let there be light, " and there was light.

4
God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light
from the darkness.

5

God called the light "day, " and the darkness he called
"night. " And there was evening, and there was morning—the
first day.

ACKNOWLEGEMENTS

I would like to give thanks and Show my appreciation to my major
professor Dr. David Lewis Skole for giving guidance and direction to my research
and for providing me with an assistantship during the entire course of my
master’s program at Michigan State University, United States of America. I would
also like to thank Dr. Jiaguo Qi and Dr. Stuart Gage for the help and the advice
they provided for the improvement of this manuscript.

I would like to thank Mr. Oscar Castaneda for helping me with the
technical and programming part of my research and Mr. Jay Samek for
coordinating the training component with my office in the Philippines.

I would like to thank Mr. Bobby Crisostomo and Director Linda Papa for
allowing me to pursue my graduate study here in the US. I would also like to
thank Mr. Sunday Lingad, who helped by being my contact technical person in
the Philippines and who made sure my server was running properly.

I would like to acknowledge my friends at the Basic Science and Remote
Sensing Initiative Lab, Eraldo Matricardi, Naren Kodandapani, and Steve
Cameron.

I would like to thank my friends at the Fellowship of Christian
Internationals and Friends, especially to Rex and Vangie Alocilja.

Most of all, I would like to thank the Lord Jesus Christ, who makes all

things possible.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

page

LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................ xi

LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................... xvi

LIST OF APPENDICES .................................................................. xvii

CHAPTER I

TOWARDS AN OPEN, DISTRIBUTED GIS DATA ARCHIVE

SYSTEM ...................................................................................... 1
1.1 Introduction ......................................................................... 1
1.2 The Need for an Open, Distributed GIS Data Archive System ........ 2
1.3 Objectives ........................................................................... 3

CHAPTER I I

REVIEW OF LITERATURE .............................................................. 5
2.1 Overview ............................................................................ 5
2.2 Distributed Data Archive System ............................................. 5
2.3 Geographic Information System .............................................. 6
2.4 Web GIS ............................................................................. 8
2.5 Open Standards .................................................................. 9

page

CHAPTER III
BACKGROUND ............................................................................. 12
3.1 Server Architecture Models ..................................................... 12

3.2 Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) 13

3.3 Distributed Active Archive Centers ........................................... 19
3.4 Earth Science Information Partners .................................................. 24
3.5 Landsat Data Acquisition and Ground Receiving Stations ............. 26
3.6 Strategic Evolution of ESE Data Systems .................................. 29
3.7 The Philippines National Geographic Information Infrastructure ...... 30
3.8 Landsatorg ......................................................................... 32
3.9 Democratizing Geospatial Information ....................................... 33
3.10 The Open Geospatial Consortium .......................................... 34
3.11 Web Services ..................................................................... 36
3.13 239.50 .............................................................................. 37

CHAPTER IV

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK ......................................................... 38
4.1 Data Broker Model ................................................................ 38
4.2 Landsatorg Philippines Transaction Model .................................. 41
4.3 Landsatorg Philippines’ Relevance to REASoN .......................... 42
4.4 History of Landsat Data Usage and Distribution ........................... 43

vi

P399
4.5 Area of Application ................................................................ 45

CHAPTER V

5.1 Overview ............................................................................ 47
5.2 Database Subsystem ............................................................ 49
5.2.1 Database Function ........................................................ 49
5.2.2 Establishing the Local Database ....................................... 50
5.2.3 Connecting to Remote Distributed Landsat Databases .......... 57

5.3 Map Server Subsystem 59

5.3.1 Map Server Function ...................................................... 59
5.3.2 Creating Map Services ................................................... 63
5.3.3 Upgrading the Map Server .............................................. 71
5.3.4 Setting up the Map Server Servlet Connector ...................... 71
5.4 The Web Server Subsystem ................................................... 73
5.4.1 Web Server Function ..................................................... 73
5.4.2 Creating the Scripts ....................................................... 73
5.4.3 Landsat.org Philippines Server Specifications ..................... 79
5.4.4 Administration, Maintenance, and Implementation ............... 80
5.5 Training and Technology Transfer ............................................ 83
5.6 Data Processing for Landsat.org Philippines .............................. 83

vii

page

CHAPTER VI
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS ........................................................ 85
6.1 Assessing Landsat.org Philippines Based on Objectives ............... 85

6.2 Evaluating Landsat.org Philippines Based on Similar Online
Services ............................................................................. 87
6.2.1 The Difference Between Landsat.org Philippines and
Google® Map, Google® Earth, Terra Server USA, and Map
Quest ......................................................................... 87
6.2.2 Difference Between Landsat.org Philippines and Geodatagov 89

6.2.3 Difference Between Landsat.org Philippines and Landsat.org. 90

6.3 Usability of Landsat.org Philippines .......................................... 91
6.3.1 Landsat.org Philippines in the Local Language .................... 91
6.3.2 Linking Ancillary Data with Landsat.org Philippines ............... 93

6.4 Landsat.org Philippines, a Grassroost Level Approach to
Implementing an ODGISDAS ........................................... 93
6.5 Landsat.org Philippines, a Springboard for the Development

of the Philippines’ National Geographic Information

Infrastructure ................................................................. 94

6.6 Using Landsat.org Philippine .................................................. 95
6.6.1 Front Page .................................................................. 95
6.6.2 Documents, About Us, and Help Page ............................... 97

viii

page

6.6.3 Interactive Lite Page ...................................................... 101
6.6.4 Interactive Map Web Page .............................................. 111
6.6.5 Form Page .................................................................. 118
6.6.6 EasySearchTM Page ...................................................... 118
6.6.7 GateKeeper3 ............................................................... 124
6.6.8 Shopping Cart .............................................................. 131
6.6.9 Ancillary Data ............................................................... 141
6.7 Technical Training ................................................................ 146
6.8 The E-commerce Approach .................................................... 147

6.9 Landsat.org Philippines, a Model Information System for Southeast
Asia ................................................................................... 147

6.10 Speed Testing of Landsat.org Philippines.................................. 148

6.11 Issues Concerning Landsat.org Philippines .............................. 150
6.11.1 Cooperation ............................................................... 150
6.11.2 Terrorism ................................................................... 150

CAHPTER Vll
CASE STUDY ............................................................................... 151

7.1 The Tragedy ........................................................................ 151

7.2 The Problem ........................................................................ 153

7.3 Applying Landsat.org Philippines to the Guinsaugon Mudslide ....... 153

ix

CHAPTER VIII

CONCLUSION .............................................................................. 162
APPENDICES ............................................................................... 165
REFERENCES CITED .................................................................... 203
OTHER REFERENCES .................................................................. 206

Figure 3.1
Figure 3.2
Figure 3.3
Figure 3.4
Figure 3.5

Figure 3.6

Figure 4.1

Figure 4.2

Figure 5.1

Figure 5.2

Figure 5.3

Figure 5.4

Figure 5.5

Figure 5.6

LIST OF FIGURES

Computational architecture of Landsat.org Philippines ........
Geographic locations of EOS Data Gateway node ............
The relative geographic locations of DAACs ....................
Function of DAACs in the EOSDIS architecture ................
Landsat 5 ground receiving stations and their coverages...
Landsat ETM+ ground receiving stations and their
coverages, as of November 2004 ..................................
Supply chain management data broker model ..................
Data broker diagram for Landsat.org Philippines ...............
Architectural diagram of Landsat.org Philippines ...............
Screen capture of MySQL® Control Center with
Iandsatetm table selected and schema shown ..................
Screen capture of MySQL® Administrator with Iandsatetm
table selected and privileges shown ...............................
Transaction flow between the server, web service, and
database ..................................................................
Web service oracleservice3 showing the available
operation ..................................................................
Web service oracleservice2 showing the different query

syntaxes ..................................................................

xi

page
14
1 7
20
22
27

28

39

42

48

52

55

60

61

62

page

Figure 5.7 The Interactive Map is one of the means users can select

data using GIS tools ................................................... 64
Figure 5.8 The lteractive Map Lite is a customized viewer and is used

to select Landsat data ................................................. 65
Figure 5.9 The Locator Map is a utility that displays a place searched

using EasySearchTM ................................................... 66
Figure 5.10 The Extents Map is a utility that shows the footprint and

coordinates of a Landsat tile ......................................... 67
Figure 5.11 The Generic Map Viewer is a utility that displays ancillary

data ........................................................................ 68
Figure 5.12 ArclMS® Administrator is where map services are

managed .................................................................. 69
Figure 5.13 Diagram showing Tomcat® connecting ArclMS® with the

web server ............................................................... 72
Figure 5.14 AceHTML® Freeware highlighting code syntaxes of

GateKeeper3 ............................................................ 74
Figure 5.15 A hypothetical Landsat tile with points inside and outside... 78
Figure 5.16 The server’s desktop accessed through Windows®

Remote Desktop Connection ........................................ 82
Figure 6.1 The front page of Landsat.org Philippines translated into

Tagalog, one of the local languages in the Philippines ...... 92

Figure 6.2 The Front Page of Landsat.org Philippines ...................... 96

xii

page

Figure 6.3 The documents page .................................................. 98
Figure 6.4 The about us page ..................................................... 99
Figure 6.5 The help page ........................................................... 100
Figure 6.6 The interactive lite page .............................................. 102

Figure 6.7 Reported coordinates of white dot, zoom in and out

buttons, and select data radio buttons ............................ 103
Figure 6.8 The "map it” function highlighting a tile ........................... 105
Figure 6.9 Results of place name search for “cagayan de oro,” a city

in the Philippines ....................................................... 106
Figure 6.10 Zoomed-in map of Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines ......... 107
Figure 6.11 The country of Brunei as selected and displayed on the

map when the “Get Map” button was pressed .................. 109
Figure 6.12 The coordinates 121.5000, 18.5000 inputted and the

corresponding map displayed ....................................... 110
Figure 6.13 The interactive map web page ...................................... 112
Figure 6.14 The interactive map toolbar and the name/function of each

icon ........................................................................ 113

Figure 6.15 Four Landsat tiles selected using a bounding box, with the

selection list at the bottom of the map ............................ 114
Figure 6.16 Seven Landsat tiles selected using a polygon .................. 116
Figure 6.17 Six Landsat tiles selected using a selection line ............... 117
Figure 6.18 The form page ........................................................... 119

xiii

Figure 6.19
Figure 6.20
Figure 6.21

Figure 6.22

Figure 6.23

Figure 6.24
Figure 6.25
Figure 6.26
Figure 6.27
Figure 6.28
Figure 6.29
Figure 6.30
Figure 6.31
Figure 6.32
Figure 6.33
Figure 6.34
Figure 6.35
Figure 6.36

page

The EasySearchTM Page ............................................. 120
Place name search results for Jolo, Philippines ................ 122
Place locator showing the Island of Jolo, Philippines ......... 123
GateKeeper3 with search results for Hundred Islands,
Pangasinan, Philippines .............................................. 125
Landsat image thumbnail with associated information and

links to the data coverage viewer and ancillary data viewer 126
The data coverage viewer ............................................ 127
The ancillary data list viewer ........................................ 128
The Zoomlmage page ................................................ 129
The shopping cart ...................................................... 133
The user login form .................................................... 134
The update user profile form ........................................ 135
The user update profile confirmation page ....................... 136
The new user registration form ..................................... 137
The user registration confirmation message ..................... 138
The order confirmation message ................................... 139
The 1:250,000 topographic map ancillary data ................. 142
The Landsat mosaic ancillary data ................................. 143
The generic map viewer showing the Philippines’ SRTM

mosaic .................................................................... 144

xiv

page
Figure 6.37 The Sternberg Map Viewer showing the minimum
temperature for a 10-day period .................................... 145

Figure 7.1 A CNN report about the landslide tragedy at Barangay

Guinsaugon, Saint Bernard, Philippines .......................... 152
Figure 7.2 EasySearchTM results for “guinsaugon” ........................... 155
Figure 7.3 Locator map showing Barangay Guinsaugon ................... 156
Figure 7.4 Available Landsat data for Barangay Guinsaugon ............. 157

Figure 7.5 June 29, 1992 Landsat TM (path 113, row 053) image of

Barangay Guinsaugon ................................................ 158
Figure 7.6 SRTM elevation map of Barangay Guinsaugon ................ 159
Figure 7.7 1:250,000 topographic map of Barangay Guinsaugon ........ 160

Figure 7.8 Photograph of Barangay Guinsaugon covered with mud.. 161

XV

Table 3.1

Table 3.2

Table 3.3

Table 5.1

Table 5.2

Table 5.3

Table 5.4

Table 5.5

Table 5.6

Table 6.1

LIST OF TABLES

page
Location and URL of each EOS Data Gateway node ......... 18
The DAACS and their functions ...................................... 21
Responsibilities and compositions of ESIPs ..................... 25
Landsat.org Philippines MySQL® database user access
permissions .............................................................. 53
MySQL® database tables being used by different versions

of Landsat.org Philippines ............................................ 54
Map services being used by different versions of

Landsat.org Philippines ................................................ 70
Code components being used by different versions of
Landsat.org Philippines ................................................ 76
Landsat.org Philippines code component dependencies on
databases and map services ......................................... 77
Landsat.org Philippines server specifications .................... 80
Speed test results for some components of Landsat.org
Philippines ............................................................... 149

xvi

LIST OF APPENDICES

page

Appendix A List of ESIPS ........................................................... 165
Appendix B List of Ground Receiving Stations ............................... 168
Appendix C Database Schemas .................................................. 170
Appendix D The point inside a polygon test code imbedded in the

EasySearchTM parse.asp ........................................... 175
Appendix E The Maintenance and Implementation Plan ................... 180
Appendix F The Training Program ............................................... 191
Appendix G The Training Pictures ................................................ 194
Appendix H List of Acronyms ...................................................... 198

xvii

CHAPTER I
TOWARDS AN OPEN, DISTRIBUTED GIS DATA ARCHIVE SYSTEM

1.1 Introduction

Since the launch of ERTS 1 (Earth Resources Technology Satellites 1),
the first land observing satellite, many images of the earth’s surface have been
acquired. These data are of varying spatial, temporal frequency, and radiometric
characteristics, reflecting more than 61 different sensors and platforms deployed
since ERTS 1.

The scientific community recognizes the value and benefits derived from
inter-disciplinary research as a new approach to knowledge discovery. Making
satellite data and processed products from different science disciplines readily
and easily available to the scientific community will promote such type of
research.

At the local community level, geographic information in the form of satellite
data will aid environmentalists, planners, and government officials in making
sound decisions for community development and environmental protection.
Satellite images also provide an outreach mechanism for people who are not
directly engaged in the process of research or planning. Thus, lay citizens can
also gain knowledge and develop a deeper appreciation of the environment, as

well as the planet earth, and the problems that affect them.

12

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SIT:

1.2 The Need for an Open, Distributed GIS Data Archive System

Much geographic information has been gathered and archived. The most
important challenge is to get the right information to the right people. For
instance, Landsat data is acquired through 22 ground receiving stations, each
with a unique collection of Ladsat data, but has not been coalesced into a single
comprehensive archive because they are dispersed throughout many individual
archives. In the US, 7 DAACS (Distributed Active Archive Centers) and numerous
ESIPs (Federation of Earth Science Information Partners), are hosting a
collection of satellite data (processed, unprocessed and byproducts) specific to
their discipline, but are not inter-connected into a larger Single archive. Though
the science community has a massive collection of satellite data, searching for a
specific data becomes a problem because the data centers do not function as a
coherent system. This problem was brought to NASA’s (National Aeronautics
and Space Administration) attention by the NRC (National Research Council).
NASA adopted the recommendations of the NRC, with the EOS Data Gateway
as one result of such efforts. This gateway serves as a seamless “one-stop-
shopping” portal for EOSDIS products. Despite such efforts, NASA still has failed
to meet the user communities’ and the NRC’s expectations because of several
problems encountered during the implementation of EOSDIS.

Similar to EOSDIS, the NAMRIA (National Mapping and Resource
lnfon'nation Authority) has developed plans to implement an information system
that would serve the entire Philippine Archipelago. This information system is

called the NGII (Philippines’ National Geographic Information Infrastructure

1.3

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Framework Plan) and its objective is to make geographic data more accessible
and available to local users by using World Wide Web technologies and
protocols. Part of the goals of the NGII is to develop a “one-stop-shopping” for
geographic data through a distributed data system and a data clearing house.
However, there have been many institutional, technical, and standards issues,
which have hindered NGll’s implementation.

Though the size of data their archives differs, NASA and NAMRIA have a
common goal of making data available to people by developing an open,
distributed GIS data archive system (ODGISDAS). Because a truly and
functional ODGISDAS is currently unavailable and Is needed by data users
in the Philippines, a need exists to develop such a system. An ODGISDAS
for the Philippines would allow users to search and locate geographic data from
distributed databases managed by data centers at different geographic locations.
Customizing the ODGISDAS to suit local user’s needs would give added value to

geographic data, which will aid in knowledge discovery.

1.3 Objectives

The general objective of this study is to develop an open, distributed GIS
data archive system (ODGISDAS) for the National Mapping and Resource
Information Authority in the Philippines. This ODGISDAS would be capable of
searching archives of Landsat data from a local database and from a distributed
database at Michigan State University (MSU). The Specific objectives of this

study were:

. Demonstrate the possibility of searching for Landsat data from multiple
databases located at different geographic locations from a single web
portal.

. Develop an open, distributed GIS data archive system (ODGISDAS)
using common computer technologies and software already available
in most government offices and universities, but integrated through
standards and protocols.

. Develop a seamless “one-stop-shopping” interface for this ODGISDAS.
. Conduct training of NAMRIA technical staff on the operation and
maintenance of the ODGISDAS to provide technology transfer.

. Provide a technical approach to data access that could support spatial

decision support, planning, and policymaking.

a
5.x.

CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF LITERATURE

2.1 Overview

Landsat.org Philippines is an open, distributed GIS (Geographic
lnforrnation Systems) data archive system. Landsat.org Philippines converges
technological advances from different avenues of Computer Science and the
Geographic Information Science. I will discuss the different characteristics and
components, which comprise this system in the following order: distributed data

archive system, geographic information systems, web GIS, and open standards.

2.2 Distributed Data Archive System

A distributed system is a collection of multiple information systems
connected via a digital communication network that can synchronously cooperate
to complete a computing task (Worboys & Duckham, 2004). In the case of a
distributed data archive system or a distributed database, the definition of a
distributed system still holds, except that the word “system” specifically refers to
a database system. Worboys & Duckham (2004) mention four advantages of a
distributed database system, namely: decentralization, availability and reliability,
performance, and modularity. Distributed databases have been used by
commercial industries because of the systems fail safe design and ability to
handle multiple transactions. In the field of geographic information science, being

able to access distributed databases would mean being able to seamlessly

 

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integrate and analyze geographic data from different sources. This seamless
access is the vision of every scientist who utilizes geographic data in their
research.

Seamless access to distributed databases is not without a problem.
Laurini (1998) identified several problems with using multiple distributed
databases. Some of these problems are: boundary alignment, topological
continuity, and geographic fragmentation (Laurini, 1998). These problems are
not directly a result of the distributed nature of the system and can be addressed
by proper documentation through the metadata and by following certain data
standards. Developing metadata and data standards for interoperability is
currently one of the areas where the 060 (Open Geospatial Consortium) is

exerting its effort.

2.3 Geographic Information Systems

Geographic Information System (GIS) is a special type of computer-based
information system tailored to store, process, and manipulate geospatial data
(Worboys & Duckham, 2004). GIS can be used as a tool to solve a wide variety
of geospatial problems, from the most basic problem of determining one’s global
position to the more complex problem that requires spatial modeling scenarios.
Coppock and Rhind (1990) mentioned six general categories of basic questions
that can be investigated using GIS, theSe are: location, condition, trend, routing,

pattern, and modeling.

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The first geographic information system was developed in Canada in
1963. This system was called the Canada Geographic Information Systems and
was a product of the Canada Land Inventory, a nationwide effort to identify land
resources, their current and potential uses. In 1964, the Harvard Laboratory for
Computer Graphics and Spatial Analysis was established and released the first
raster GIS called SYMAP in 1966. In the 1970's, the development of GIS was
further fuelled by the declassification of military aerial photographs and the
launch of the Landsat satellite system. This information served as input data for
geographic information systems existing in those days. In the 1980’s, GIS
became popular among resource managers when the price of hardware
declined. Further decrease in the price of hardware in the 1990’s, together with
the increased processing capacity and porting of GIS software to run on desktop
systems, made GIS generally available. This event led to the opening of the
many avenues of GIS that is currently in existence.

Much of the developments occurring in GIS are driven by advances in
hardware and software technologies. These technologies are consumer and
profit driven. Longley et al. (2001) estimates that the GIS software industry
generates $ 1 billion in annual profit. Though some geographers like Pickles
(1995) have argued the negligible role [of geographers] in the development of
proprietary systems (lifted from Longley, 2000), nevertheless, GIS provides a
crucial means of dealing with the cunent proliferation of digital data, and has

important implications for the future development of geography (Longley, 2000).

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Much of the development efforts in GIS today are in the areas of
distributed computing, Web-GIS, standards formulation, interoperability,
advanced visualization, spatial data analysis, global positioning, and modeling.
These different research avenues of GIS provides people new approaches of

making “sense” and observing new patterns in data that were once less obvious.

2.4 Web GIS

Web GIS, Internet GIS, or online GIS is one of the areas of GIS that
focuses on utilizing the lntemet as a medium to perform analysis and
disseminate geographic information. Utilizing the lntemet as a medium has the
following advantages: wand-wide access, standard interface, and faster, more
cost-effective maintenance (Green and Bossomaier, 2002). Because GIS is
information driven, the integration of the lntemet has revolutionized the discipline.
Many of the expectations of GIS by scientists have started to become achievable
and many new possible applications and research areas are emerging.
According to Dragicevic (2004) GIS [is] now able to make its concepts more
open, accessible, and mobile to everyone thereby facilitating notions such as
democratization of spatial data, open accessibility, and effective dissemination.
The lntemet has made GIS more accessible to people and has created the
potential of applying GIS to solve practical everyday problems such as traffic
routing.

According to Dragicevic (2004), the web has enhanced the use of GIS in

three main directions: ( 1) spatial data access and dissemination, (2) spatial data

exploration and geovisualization, and (3) spatial data processing, analysis, and
modeling. These three components are the main categories where most
researchers focus their studies on. Any GIS application available today focus on
just one of the directions/areas stated by Dragicevic. One of the challenges for
scientists doing research in the area of Web-GIS is to be able to create a system
that harnesses the essentials of the three main directions/areas stated by
Dragicevic in an integrated and seamless manner. Research conducted by Tsou
(2004) attempted to incorporate image processing capabilities to Web-GIS.
Tsou’s application utilizes Java applets to perform the image processing
component. Java applets have a compatibility problem with most web browsers
and Tsou's application suffered the same fate. In his conclusion, He recognized
some of the problems/challenges that have to be solved: metadata standards,
data transmission formats, communication protocols, client/server balance, and

ubiquitous access (T sou, 2004).

2.5 Open Standards

The OGC (Open GIS Consortium) is the organization responsible for
maintaining standards of “openness” for geospatial products and services. OGC
describes open standards as follows: ( 1) is created in an open, international,
participatory industry process, (2) has free rights of distribution, (3) has open
specification access, (4) does not discriminate against persons or groups, and (5)
ensures that the specification and the license must be technology neutral (006,

2005). Based on these criteria, only those applications that adhere to OGC

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specifications may be considered open and not all applications that are free and
published may be considered as such.

The OGC (2003) have specified three specific needs that can be
addressed using open standards. These specific needs are as follows:

1. The need for organizations to have access to each other’s spatial

information without copying and converting whole data sets.

2. The need to have the pieces of the solution work together.

3. The need to base geoprocessing on the World Wide Web open

architecture.
These specific needs boil down to the necessity to maximize the value of past
and future investments in geoprocessing systems and data (OGC, 2003) and can
only be solved using geoprocessing systems and components that interoperate
across open interfaces in the context of global (or in some cases local)
distributed computing platform (usually the Web) (OGC, 2003).

OpenGlS is an adjective describing specifications and other products of
OGC’s consensus process that support transparent access to heterogeneous
geodata and geoprocessing resources in a networked environment (OGC, n.d.).
OGC provides the OpenGlS specifications that developers can use as a guide in
writing their programs. A program IS ensured of openness and interoperability if it
adheres to these standards.

One of the formats being prescribed, but is currently under development,
by the OGC for the OpenGIS specification is GML (geography markup

language). GML is a type of XML (extensible markup language) and is another

10

type of SDTS (spatial data transfer standards). There exists many advantages in
using GML as a data transfer format. Some of these advantages are as follows:
First, GML as a language can be used to create self-describing data. Second,
because modern browsers are built with the capability to parse XML, these
browsers can easily read GML, which is a type of XML. Using GML brings OGC
closer to achieving its goals of an open and interoperable format.

Much of the geospatial standards being developed by OGC are a work in
progress. These specifications may be called “standards” for the meantime
because they change in response to the changing needs and technology.
Therefore, products might be classified as compliant to certain OpenGlS

specifications version.

11

CHAPTER III
BACKGROUND

(Note: Images in this thesis are shown in color.)

3.1 Server Architecture Models

The NSDI (National Spatial Data Infrastructure) has four reference server
architectures for geospatial data centers: centralized, distributed, combination,
and centralized local (OGC, 2005). Each type of architecture has its own
advantages and disadvantages. In a centralized architecture, information is
stored, managed, and served from a single server-database system. This
architecture is suitable for mission critical applications wherein one is ensured of
data access and availability and security is easily controlled. The downside of
this architecture is the high cost of hardware necessary to handle the very big
database and bandwidth necessary for simultaneous access to the server. In a
distributed architecture, multiple autonomous server-database systems are
connected via the lntemet. In this configuration, data, security, and access is
managed by each autonomous server. An advantage of this architecture is that if
one of the servers fails or becomes compromised, the system will remain intact
and will continue to function. Also, the entire system is scalable and the setup
cost is much less than a centralized one. The combination architecture
incorporates both centralized and distributed systems. At the lower (local level),
computers store data on a central server-database system node. At the upper

level, each node is inter-connected and functions as a distributed system. A

12

centralized local architecture is similar to a centralized system, except that a
replicate system is created to serve other purposes, including public access.
Landsat.org Philippines follows an open, distributed architecture and is illustrated

in Figure 3.1.

3.2 Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS)

The Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) is a
distributed system with many interconnected nodes (Science In vestigator-led
Processing Systems and Distributed Active Archive Centers) with specific
responsibilities for production, archival and distribution of Earth science data
products (NASA, 2004). EOSDIS was developed by NASA’S Earth Science Data
and Information (ESDIS) Project and is one of the major components of the Earth
Science Enterprise as an access portal for data. The idea of a data and
information system started in the 1980’s when computational capabilities
increased in tandem with the collection of satellite images of the Earth. Scientists
realized the need for an information system to integrate and process different
types of information acquired by different instruments at different times. A Data
Panel comprised of scientists and program managers from NASA’s EOS (Earth
Observing Systems) developed the following recommendations for EOSDIS

(NRC. 1999):

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1. Involve scientists directly and intimately in the planning and oversight of
operations of EOSDIS.
2. Create a distributed system to stimulate creativity, enable prototypes, and
facilitate evolution.
3. Enable scientists to interact with a wide range of datasets that are and will
be widely dispersed.
4. Create the flexibility to adapt readily to rapid advances in electronic
communications, networks, and computing capabilities.
5. Ensure that archiving approaches and facilities are both responsive and
reliable.
Scientists expected this system to be more than just a means to archive and
retrieve data, including the capacity of data browsing, searching, online data
processing, and archiving. Archiving processed data and making it available
gives added value to raw data. EOSDIS has been envisioned as a flexible and
adaptive system that serves the science community through engendering new
modes of research. But NASA did not follow the recommendations of the Data
Panel and the NRC and a centralized and rigid system emerged, instead of the
envisioned distributed system (NRC, 1998).
EOSDIS is slowly evolving into a distributed system and has developed a
“one-stop-shopping” portal called the EOS Data Gateway, which is being hosted
at nine locations. These locations are shown in Figure 3.2. Every EOS Data

Gateway node has the same “look and feel” and can be accessed from any part

15

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node.

Although EOSDIS functions right now as a distributed system, it still does
not meet some of the recommendations made by the Data Panel and the 1995
and 1998 recommendations of the NRC. EOSDIS is a distributed system within
itself and fails to connect to other data repository areas including foreign ground
receiving stations, ESIPs (Federation of Earth Science lnforrnation Partners),
universities, government agencies, and data collections of project investigators.
Another problem with utilizing the EOSDIS’ EOS Data Gateway is that it requires
a steep learning curve. Though functional, the interface has an intimidating
appearance and is not intuitive for casual computer users to utilize. Also,
because of the same ”look and feel,” of the data portal, the tools available for
data search and query follows a "one size fits all" approach. Customization to
account for different user needs and level of expertise is absent. Scientists,
researchers, teachers, students, etc. will have to utilize the same set of tools for
searching and querying data. In its implementation of the EOS Data Gateway,
EOSDIS failed to take advantage of the concept of the search engine approach

to search for information.

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Table 3.1. Locations and URLs of EOS Data Gateway nodes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gateway Location URL
Name

ASF Alaska, http://edg.asf.alaska.edu:8000/~imswww/pub/imswel
USA QUE!

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Dakota,
USA

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18

 

3.3 Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAAC)

The Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAAC) are components of the
EOSDIS and are institutions that generate EOS standard data products and cany
out NA SA '3 responsibilities for data archival, distribution, and management
(NASA, 2004). There are 7 DAACS located in the United States of America. Each
DAAC is unique and maintains an archive of data within the Earth Science
discipline it serves. Figure 3.3 shows the relative geographic locations of each
DAAC and Table 3.2 shows the functions of each. The DAAC are major
components of EOSDIS and play an important role in the system’s architecture.
This role includes directly interacting with users and managing voluminous
scientific data. Figure 3.4 shows the function of the DAAC’s in EOSDIS'
architecture. Data acquired by a sensor are captured and processed by the E08
(EOSDIS Core System) contractor to level 0 and transmitted to the DAACS. The
DAACS together with their science teams process level 0 data to level 1 using
standard algorithms and/or data gathered from the field. These high-level,
processed data are then distributed to users through the EOS Data Gateway.

DAACS. The DAACS together with their science teams process level 0
data to level 1 using standard algorithms and/or data gathered from the field.
These high-level, processed data are then distributed to the users through the

EOS Data Gateway.

19

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Table 3.2. The DAACS and their functions.
DAAC Full Name Functions
ASF Alaska Satellite synthetic aperture radar (SAR), sea ice,
Facility polar processes, Geophysics
NSIDC National Snow and snow and ice,cryosphere, climate
Ice Data Center
LP Land Processes land processes
SEDAC Socioeconomic Data population, sustainability, geospatial data,
and Applications multilateral environmental agreements
Center
GES GSFC Earth Science upper atmosphere, atmospheric
dynamics, global precipitation, global
biosphere, ocean biology, ocean
dynamics, solar irradiance
LaRC NASA Langley radiation budget, clouds, aerosols,
Atmospheric tropospheric chemistry
Sciences Data
Center
ORNL Oak Ridge National biogeochemical dynamics, ecological
Laboratory data, environmental processes
GHRC Global Hydrology Hydrologic cycle. severe weather
Resource Center interactions, lightning, convection
PO Physical ocean processes, air-sea interactions
Oceanography

 

 

 

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In 1999, the NRC conducted a review of NASA’s DAACS and their findings
and recommendations have some similarities to the recommendations of the
Data Panel and NRC’s 1995 recommendations for EOSDIS. Some of the findings
and recommendations are summarized as follows (NRC, 1998):

1. To function optimally, the DAA Cs need to be intimately involved with

the science community they serve.

2. The DAA Cs do not yet act as components of a coherent system.

3. To take advantage of the unprecedented flexibility afforded by the
new Web-based technologies, ESDIS should allow the DAA Cs to
incorporate only those components of the 508 that they require to
satisfy the user community.

Though EOSDIS interconnects the DAACS through the EOS Data Gateway and
allows data searching from multiple DAACs, an individual DAAC has limited
ability to access data from other DAACs and they do not comply with OGC
Specifications. This limitation is one of the problems of the current information
system design for EOSDIS because it prevents users of individual DAACs to take
advantage of information archived at other DAACs. Each DAAC supports a
unique science discipline. The available tools and the mode that data are served
are customized to fit the unique needs of each DAACs’ client. By providing
access to data from other DAACS and customizing data for the use by local
clients, a truly useful open, distributed GIS data archive system that would lead

to knowledge discovery can be achieved.

23

3.4 Earth Science Information Partners

The growth of the World Wide Web and emergence of powerful and
affordable computers with increased storage capacity in the late 1980’s made
large-scale data processing and storage possible on ordinary desktop
computers. Data management and processing tasks that were done by the
DAACs, can now be performed more efficiently and cost effectively on ordinary
desktop computers. These improvements in computing technology together with
the growth of the lntemet made the creation of a truly open, distributed
information system feasible. Seeing this possibility, the NRC recommended the
transfer, on an experimental basis, of some of the DAACs tasks, such as product
generation, publication, and user services to a federation of partners from the
academe, government, and the private sector. In 1998, NASA created the Earth
Science lnfonnation Partners (ESIPs) as a prototype of such a federation. Three
types of ESlPs exist, each with its set of characteristics and user communities.
Table 3.3 shows the responsibilities and compositions of each type of ESIP. The
DAACs fall under the type 1 category of ESIPs. The list of type 2 and 3 ESIPs is
attached as Appendix A.

ESIPs have in their archives a diverse collection of data products as a
result of serving their clients. These products have added value because they
have been processed, interpreted, and/or improved. Allowing other scientists to

access and utilize these products will promote interdisciplinary research.

24

Tab

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Table 3.3. Responsibilities and compositions of ESIPs.

 

 

 

 

 

ESIP Responsibilities Composition
Type
1 responsible for standard data and DAACs and science
information products whose teams for specific
production, publishing or distribution, instruments
and associated user services require
emphasis on reliability and adherence
to schedules
2 are responsible for producing Science teams and global
innovative science information change scientists
products and services, which primarily
serve the global change and earth
science communities _
3 responsible for providing innovative, Science teachers, college

 

practical applications of earth science
data to a broad range of users beyond
the global change research
community

 

earth science students,
policy analysts, interested
public, research scientist
working outside their
discipline, and for-profit
businesses

 

25

 

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Like the DAACs, the ESIPs, though federated, are not directly
interconnected information systems. Each ESIP maintains its own database for
its exclusive access and use. Each ESIP has its own web portal through which
users access data. If users need data from another ESIP, he or she will have to
go to the other ESIP's website. The result is a fragmented information system

and users do not get the benefit of having integrated data from different ESIPs.

3.5 Landsat Data Acquisition and Ground Receiving Stations

Twenty ground receiving stations, scattered around the globe, are capable
of receiving Landsat data. These ground receiving stations are also capable of
receiving data from other types sensors. Examples of these data are: radar,
multi-spectral imageries from QuickBird® and IKONOS®, and hyper-spectral
imageries. Each station maintains an archive of satellite data for its area of
coverage. Figure 3.5 and 3.6 shows the global coverage and distribution of
ground receiving stations for Landsat TM and ETM+. The list of ground receiving
stations is provided in Appendix B.

In 1992, the Land Remote Sensing Policy Act (Public Law 102-555) was
enacted by the US Congress to support climate change research. This law
ensures the availability of Landsat 7 data to the public, both local and foreign,
without any restrictions on use and distribution, and at the most affordable price
possible. The enactment of this law paved the way for the creation of the Landsat

7 Data Policy, which provides guidelines for the acquisition, processing,

26

 

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28

archivling], distribution, and pricing of Landsat 7 (NASA, 1994) data. This policy
also stipulates that Landsat 7 will acquire every daytime scene on every pass
over the United States (NASA, 1994) and will be archived by EDC (Eros Data
Center) regardless of their cloud cover. On the other hand, images covering non-
US territories will be archived only if they are cloud-free (NASA, 1994). Their
acquisition will also depend on current priorities and will be subject to spacecraft
resources limitations. As a result of this acquisition rule, numerous Landsat data
that cover non-US territories cannot be found in EDC archives and can be found
only in the archives of foreign ground receiving stations. A system that would
allow searching for Landsat data in these foreign archives will help climate

change scientists in their research.

3.6 Strategic Evolution of ESE Data Systems

The SEEDS (Strategic Evolution of ESE Data Systems) was initiated in
1998 as an effort to revolutionize the data and information elements of NASA’s
Earth Science Enterprise (ESE) in response to the changing needs of the
community. SEEDS is a work in progress and was formerly called NeleSS
(New Data and Information and Systems Services). The goal of SEEDS is to
establish a framework for distributed data management to maximize availability
and utility of ESE products; leverage community expertise, ideas, and
capabilities; and improve overall effectiveness of ESE-funded systems and
services (NASA, 2003b). SEEDS is the latest blueprint for the development of

ESE and capitalizes on previous technologies developed for the enterprise,

29

(I)

including lessons learned from the implementation of past projects. SEEDS is an
evolution and not a replacement of existing NASA information technologies. To
achieve the goals of SEEDS, certain strategies should be followed when
developing an information system. Some of these strategies includes using an
open, distributed set of data systems and service providers (NASA, 2003b) and
leveraging information technologies from the commercial sector, such as web-
based techniques, for data discovery and access, and involving the end user
community in technology assessment and evolution (NASA, 2003b).

Some of the objectives of this thesis are similar to the objectives of
SEEDS. The results of this thesis will be useful to the science community and will

be a direct contribution to NASA’s SEEDS initiative.

3.7 The Philippines National Geographic Information Infrastructure

The Philippines National Geographic Information Infrastructure (NGII) is
the Philippines’ initiative to make geographic data available to people by using
World Wide Web technologies and protocols. The NGII, an offshoot of the
Philippines E-commerce Bill, signed into law on June 2000, was enacted through
Executive Order 265. The NGII is the Philippines” version of the National Spatial
Data Infrastructure (NSDI), modified and customized to suit needs of the Filipino
people. The NAMRIA is mandated to head and manage the NGII working group.
The different phases of NGII should have been implemented during 2001 to
2005. But because of standards issues, budget cuts, and some institutional

problems, the implementation of the project was postponed. Many of the goals of

30

NGII are similar to the objectives of this research. Technologies used for this
research can be used as baseline technologies to initiate the implementation of
NGII.

The NGII is needed to support the country’s socio-economic development
and maintenance of ecological balance (NAMRIA, 2000). The NGII has several
components: the institutional framework development plan, fundamental
datasets, technical standards and protocols, and the clearing house network.
With all its components and plans, the NGII is a very ambitious, but necessary,
project that requires support and initiative from the national government because
its implementation requires inter-agency involvement. Similar to the NRC’s
criticisms of NASA, NAMRIA’s “top-down” approach in handling the development
of its information systems failed to deliver the required results. Development of
information systems is best done on a “bottom-up” approach because this model
fosters eany adoption and promotes creativity, which leads to further
development of the technology.

A “bottom-up” approach is a type of developmental strategy wherein
innovation is introduced first to the lower level end users. Adoption is expected to
go up the organizational or industry chain. A “top—down” approach is a type of
developmental strategy wherein innovation is introduced by administrators or
departments to the rest of the organization. Adoption of the technology is

expected to diffuse down the organizational or industry chain.

31

This research fulfills some of the goals of the NGII. Technologies and
concepts used for this research may be used and/or improved to build the

Philippines” NGII.

3.8 Landsat.org

The Tropical Rainforest Information Center (TRFIC)
(http://www.bsrsi.msu.edu) is a type 2 ESIP with a mission to provide NASA data,
products and information services to the science, resource management, and
policy and education communities (TRFIC, n.d.). TRFIC provides Landsat data
through an internet map server enabled web portal. TRFIC evolved into
Landsat.org (http://www.landsat.orq) and has the largest collection of Landsat
data outside of the US government. In some ways, Landsat.org is a distributed
information system. Though it maintains its own local database, the system is
designed to interface with the USGS Landsat database at EROS.

Landsat.org is successful for several reasons: First, the graphical
framework used for data selection is custom tailored to the Landsat tile system.
Custom tailoring simplifies the selection interface and removes unnecessary
details to accommodate other datasets. Second, very few steps are needed to
perform a query and obtain results through rapid thumbnail browse products.
Third, more comprehensive results are obtained from a search query due to
Landsat.org’s ability to obtain regular updates from the USGS Landsat database.
Fourth, the presence of unique data visualization tools, such as Geome and

StripBuilder provide users the support needed to select the imagery. These tools

32

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allows the user to examine and interact with search results. Fifth, the ability of
Landsat.org to financially sustain itself is a model information system that
incorporates e-commerce. Though the majority of the cost of operating
Landsat.org is being shouldered by NASA, the system generates income for
system support and maintenance.

The same e-commerce concept should be imbedded in any information
system. The purpose of putting a price on public domain data is not for profit, but
to cover the cost of system maintenance and data delivery. This scheme ensures

continuous availability of the system and encourages innovation and growth.

3.9 Democratizing Geospatial lnforrnation

Lack of access to information is one of the reasons why developing
countries have not had significant improvements on their economies. While
highly developed countries like the United States, Canada, or UK have made
significant steps to utilize and develop their information infrastructures to improve
their economies, deliver government services, and improve learning, developing
countries have not done the same and the consequence is the widening of the
information divide between these two disparate economies. Geospatial
information, though may not be viewed as something that can directly contribute
to the economy of a developing country, is needed in resource allocation
decisions, which if made properly-will contribute to economic growth. Bringing the

right information to the right people through an information system will not only

33

na'

ar

narrow the information divide, but will also lead to a well informed community
capable of making sound decisions regarding their environment.

Most developing countries, including the Philippines, do not allocate a
large portion of their national budget to science and technology. The effect of this
small budget allocation is the stunted state of these disciplines in these countries.
It will take developing countries several years of concerted effort to catch up to
the level of scientific advancement that highly advanced countries have
achieved. The good news is that by improving the information infrastructure in
developing countries, people in these countries can have access to information
and technologies developed in more advanced countries. Developing countries
can utilize these advancements to improve their economy and standards of
living. Landsat.org Philippines is an information portal and would bring products
and technologies to the hands of people. In essence, this system will

democratize geospatial information.

3.10 The Open Geospatial Consortium

The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) is a non-profit organization who
advocates the use of interoperable solutions that “geo-enable” the Web, wireless
and location-based services, and mainstream lT (OGC, 2005). This organization
is a consortium of 293 companies, government agencies, and universities from
around the globe. Part of the work of OGC is to develop specifications for
geospatial data publication, exchange, and GIS processing. These specifications

are collectively called OGC Specifications. Technology developers adhering to

0C

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OGC Specifications are ensured that their work is open and interoperable with
other technologies that adhere to these specifications. Because the OGC is
made-up of industry leaders and mainstream stakeholder, the specifications
published by the organization automatically becomes an ”industry standard" and
is adopted worldwide. Any technology not adhering to these standards will find
itself obsolete and isolated. As much of today’s GIS data are searched, browsed,
served, and transferred through the web, OCG provides an lntemet map server
standard that complies with W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) standards.

The OGC, formerly called Open GIS Consortium, also addresses the data
exchange problems faced by GIS data users. When GIS technology was still
young, researchers and students doing GIS often had to perform data translation
before the data can be used. Data importation and exportation was a routine task
when doing GIS and many times information is lost or corrupted during these
processes. This problem was further exacerbated when new GIS software with
closed proprietary data formats emerged from software manufacturers.

An optimal open, distributed GIS data archive system (ODGISDAS) is one
that serves geospatial data in compliance with OGC and W30 standards. By
using an internet map server such as ArclMS®, which complies with OGC
standards, and generic web technologies and formats such as Web Services,
HTML, JavaScript, and JPEG, that are endorsed by the W3C, in the development
of the ODGISDAS, one can ensure interoperability with other information
systems available online and future usability. Ensuring interoperability among

information systems eliminates the incoherency that plagued EOSDIS.

35

3.11 Web Services

Web services are self-contained and self-describing application
components that utilize open protocols for communication. Web services utilize
XML (extensible markup language) as language for communication and are
platfomi-independent. Through web services, applications mnning on a
Windows® operating system can communicate with another application running
on a computer with a UNIX operating system. Web services utilize HTTP
(hypertext transport protocol) for sending information. By default, HTTP utilizes
port 80 for transactions. Utilization of HTTP for transactions is one of the greatest
advantages of web services. HTTP is the protocol used for browsing the Web
and all transactions using this protocol is processed through port 80. Web
servers and firewalls are configured to allow transactions through port 80.
Deploying and utilizing a web service is less complicated because no firewall and
web server reconfiguration is required.

Web services have three basic platform elements: SOAP, WSDL, and
UDDI (W3 Schools, 2005). The simple object access protocol (SOAP) is a
protocol used by web services for exchanging information over the network.
SOAP is XML based and utilizes HTTP. The universal description, discovery, and
integration (UDDI) is a directory of web services and an open industry initiative to
help businesses discover available services over the lntemet and facilitate in the
integration of their applications. UDDI is being sponsored by OASIS and can be
accessed using the URL http://uddiorq. The web services description language

(VVSDL) is an XML-based language used for describing web services and their

36

mode of access. WSDL provides information on the URL and methods required

to utilize a web service.

3.12 239.50

Libraries around the world are using the 239.50 protocol to communicate
between each other’s databases. The 239.50 is a national and international (ISO
23950) standard defining a client/server based service and protocol for
[ijnformation [rjetrieval (Library of Congress, 2003). Though the 239.50 has
been around for quite sometime, the protocol has not been widely popular
because of the absence of standards during its earlier phase and the difficulty in
using its syntax. This protocol utilizes a special, text based, non-descriptive
syntax in queries and results. Though the language used by the protocol is text
based, it is non-descriptive and requires a look-up table to decipher the
language. The 239.50 utilizes the lntemet and a special port for transferring
information from one computer to another. The 239.50 protocol is continuously

evolving.

37

CHAPTER IV

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

4.1 Data Broker Model

Three classes of data holdings are in existence: class 1, central
archives; class 2, large science facility/project holdings; and class 3, individual
project investigators. Class 1 data holdings are big data repositories similar to
NASA's DAACs. Class 2 data holdings are medium-size data repositories
similar to the Tropical Rain Forest lnforrnation Center (T RFIC) at Michigan
State University. Class 3 data holdings have a small collection of data usually
being held by the project investigator or a small group of individuals.
Developing a system that can connect to these different classes of data
holdings requires following a new data broker model different from traditional
ones.

A facility that follows the traditional data broker model acts as long term
data repositories and data ordering centers for the user community. These
facilities handle different types of data from different sensors designed for
different science disciplines (land, atmosphere, snow, etc.) and are all
available to the user. These facilities have a web portal so that users can
browse and access their data collection. Because the portal handles different
types of data, it bears the characteristic of a ”wholesale super store" rather
than a data center. The web interfaces of these facilities are built around data
management and inventory needs and are not based on user's needs. Thus,
users with different levels of expertise, including scientists, teachers, students,

resource managers, etc. will have to utilize the same interface.

38

A new data broker model proposed by Skole (2005) is the ”supply
chain management approach" (Figure 4.1). This model has been successfully
used by popular fast food chains around the globe. The clear advantage of
this model over the traditional one is that data brokers do not just provide data
to users, but also provide their services with domain expertise. Data brokers
can serve their clients more effectively because they know their client's needs

and are the right people to fulfill these needs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

User
Central
Archive / User
User
Broker
Central 4 User
Archive Broker \ User
\ User
Franchise
Central \ User
Archive User
User
User

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 4.1. Supply chain management data broker model. Adapted from
Skole (2005).

39

A good illustration of special client needs is the EasySearchT" interface of
Landsat.org Philippines. EasySearchTM utilizes the names of places in the
Philippines to select for Landsat data. EasySearchT" was developed to cater
to numerous clients who may want a satellite data but are not familiar or
would not bother learning the WRSZ tile system. Landsat.org Philippines
satellite data search is also linked to an online topographic map. Many
traditional resource managers in the country are used to using the
topographic map as reference. This link will help these people in their search
for Landsat data. Data brokers may also form alliances and franchises to
better serve the needs of the community.

One of the advantages of the “supply chain management approach” is
its flexibility to expand its network through the franchising scheme. Several
franchises can be created depending on the demand for data and services.
Franchisees have freedom to innovate and can develop tools to encourage
the local community to utilize GIS data in their decision making. Franchisees
are in a better position to lend their technical expertise to local users because
they are much closer to them and understand their needs. In other words,
franchisees have domain expertise.

The franchising scheme has been proven effective in distributing
satellite data to users. TRFIC is the pioneer of the "supply chain management
approach” and the franchising scheme to Landsat data distribution. The first
franchise of TRFIC is Landsat.org Indonesia (URL:
http://btic.biotrop.orMandsatW), which has been serving users in Indonesia
for five years. Landsat.org Philippines is another franchise that will serve the

Philippines.

40

Data in the custody of individual project investigators may easily be
shared using peer-to-peer technology. Peer-to-peer software has become
popular among college and university students for sharing copyrighted music
and movies. The same technology used by these students can be used for
sharing satellite data. Some examples of peer-to-peer software are
BitTorrent®, Jaxta®, Kazaa®, etc. The only downside of this method is the
bad publicity it has been getting from the RIAA (Recording Industry
Association of America) and MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America)
who have been filing cases against individuals for downloading and sharing
copyrighted material over the lntemet. Nevertheless, peer-to-peer technology

is here to stay and may be used by scientists to share their data.

4.2 Landsat.org Philippines Transaction Model

Landsat.org Philippines is a franchise of TRFIC and follows the ”supply
chain management approach" model for data distribution. Landsat.org
Philippines serves as Landsat.org's information node in Southeast Asia and
offers customized features that cater to the needs of local users. Examples of
these features are: translated language for the web site, Southeast Asian
country navigation, local place name search, etc. Figure 4.2 shows the data

broker diagram for Landsat.org Philippines.

41

 

 

 

Central
Archive

 

 

 

 

 

TRFIC

Landsat.org

 

 

 

Central
Archive

 

 

 

 

 

 

Landsat.org Philippines

 

 

 

Central
Archive

 

 

 

 

User

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

User

 

 

 

 

 

User

 

 

 

 

User

 

 

 

Figure 4.2. Data broker diagram for Landsat.org Philippines.

4.3 Landsat.org Phlllpplnes' Relevance to REASoN

REASoN (Research, Education and Applications Solutions Network) is
NASA's distributed network of data and information providers for earth
science enterprise science, application and education. Simply put, REASoN is
a network of NASA information partners. The purpose of this network is to
support science findings and applications directed toward understanding and
predicting the future of the Earth and developing policy and resource

management decision support systems, and education tools to inspire and

42

 

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train current and future generations of scientists (NASA, 2003).

A CAN (Cooperative Agreement Notice) was issued by NASA soliciting
proposals for "solutions” that exploit the capabilities of the lntemet for data
delivery, access to information, dynamic updating of databases and
educational use of data and information (NASA, 2002). The group whose
proposal was accepted by NASA for funding will automatically become a part
of REASoN. TRFIC, being an existing information partner of NASA, is already
a part of REASoN. Landsat.org Philippines, being a franchise of TRFIC's
Landsat.org, extends the functions of TRFIC to Southeast Asia and
contributes to the thrust of REASoN. Like Landsat.org, Landsat.org

Philippines, utilizes the Internet as a means for users to access satellite data.

4.4 History of Landsat data Usage and Distribution

Up to the mid 1990's most researchers utilized single scene Landsat.
Analysis was limited to such a small extent because of hard disk space and
computational limitations. The way Landsat data was ordered then was also
on a per scene basis. An IMS (information management system) was
developed by NASA and was built around the per scene ordering scheme.
The IMS is used for browsing and querying data, doing inventory of scene
orders, and performing ”hyper-GIS” for information retrieval and analysis.

The new approach to environmental research has evolved from
specific (deductive) to a wholistic approach. Scientists have recognized the
complexity of the environment and the interaction among different factors and
events. To account for these complexities, scientists required the use of a

much larger extent satellite data, going beyond the traditional per scene

43

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analysis. Advances in computer technology have made possible processing
and storage of massive amounts of satellite data with high-spatial resolutions.
Now, it is common for researchers to order numerous high-spatial resolution
satellite data for their research. A need exists to develop technologies for
searching, querying, and ordering numerous Landsat data that transcends
beyond the per scene ordering model.

Because researchers now use massive amounts of satellite data in
their projects, their individual laboratories and institutions have become large
repositories of satellite data. These data sets are not fully exploited, and much
new information remains to be uncovered (NRC, 2002). A need exists to
develop a technology that could access these dispersed data repositories so
that scientists can have access to the satellite data that they require for their
research.

Recent advances in lntemet technology have made possible the
performance of complex, interactive Operations and movement of large
amounts of data from one computer to another. Distributed access is common
among banks and retail stores that operate using multiple servers and
databases distributed geographically. Publishing maps on the web is already
done by government agencies involved in resource management. With
existing computer and lntemet technologies, a new mode of distributing and
utilizing Landsat data can be developed. By using popular scripting
languages, applications can be developed to perform discovery, query, and
access to Landsat data stored at different repositories distributed around the
world. Seamless, multiple queries can be performed on distributed Landsat

databases, going beyond traditional scene boundaries into larger geographic

44

extents. Web GIS can be utilized to perform complex geographic queries and
operations on distributed geospatial data. One of the ultimate goals in GIS
and remote sensing is to perform analysis on data residing on distributed
databases without the need to physically store or download a copy of the
original data onto the user’s hard drive. Only the results of the analysis are

required on the local hard drive.

4.5 Area of Application

Forests are a natural resource and are an integral part of the earth's
ecosystem. Forests are a source of raw materials for shelter and
manufacturing and a source of food and livelihood for many people. Forests
are essential components of the hydrologic and carbon cycle. Because of the
versatility and value of forest resources, the majority of the world’s forests are
continuously under the threat of deforestation.

Forests serves as carbon sinks and their degradation and regeneration
affects the amount of carbon present in the atmosphere. To understand the
contribution of forests to the global carbon budget, massive, multi-temporal,
high-resolution images covering the world's major forests are needed.
Landsat data is suitable for use in studying forest dynamics because it
provides a synoptic view of the landscape and massive multi-temporal data
have been acquired and are stored in data archives. Matricardi (2003) has
demonstrated using such data in studying forest degradation in the Amazon.
Utilizing Landsat data to study forest contribution to global carbon flux will
involve using several tiles of adjacent Landsat images taken at different times.

Though the science community has a massive collection of Landsat data,

45

these data are not readily accessible because they are stored in highly
dispersed data archives. The scattered nature of the archives has limited
and/or prevented the optimum usage of these data by researchers. The
current challenge is to be able to implement a system that allows discovery,

query, and access to distributed archives using open standards and protocols.

46

CHAPTER V

METHODS

5.1 Overview

The architectural diagram of Landsat.org Philippines is shown as Figure
5.1. As a data archive system, Landsat.org Philippines does not merely archive
data but organizes and manages them for easy search and access by internal
and external users. Being an open system, Landsat.org Philippines uses
standard protocols and technologies. Using these standards means the system
can be accessed from and can interface with any application developed for any
operating system. As a distributed system, Landsat.org Philippines relies on
distributed databases scattered at different geographic locations. Being able to
access multiple databases means a more comprehensive data search results
and is one of the major strengths of Landsat.org Philippines. Landsat.org
Philippines utilizes the lntemet to connect to TRFIC and other remote databases.
Landsat.org Philippines can be accessed using the URL: http://202.90.128.189.

The development of the ODGISDAS was guided by the following
objectives, also stated in Chapter 1:

1. Demonstrate the possibility of searching for Landsat data from multiple
databases located at different geographic locations from a single web
portal.

2. Develop an open, distributed GIS data archive system (ODGISDAS)

using common computer technologies and software already available

47

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48

in most govemment offices and universities, but integrated through
standards and protocols.

3. Develop a seamless “one-stop-shopping" interface for this ODGISDAS.

4. Conduct training of NAMRIA technical staff on the operation and
maintenance of the ODGISDAS to provide technology transfer.

5. Provide a technical approach to data access that could support spatial

decision support, planning, and policymaking.

5.2 Database Subsystem

5.2.1 Database Function

Landsat.org Philippines is an information system and requires access to
databases in order for it to become a distributed archive system. The databases
that Landsat.org Philippines utilizes serve many purposes. These databases can
be classified into two: Landsat image databases and systems databases.
Landsat image databases are databases that contain information about Landsat
images. These databases are located in different data centers distributed globally
and serve as contents for search queries. The more Landsat image databases
that Landsat.org Philippines can connect to, the more comprehensive will be the
search results. Version 4 of Landsat.org Philippines utilizes five Landsat image
databases. Two of the five are residing in NAMRIA and the three are located at
the TRFIC, Michigan State University. Figure 3.1 is a diagram showing these

Landsat image databases.

49

Systems databases are databases that Landsat.org Philippines needs in
order for it to run. These databases are used by the system to provide advanced
capabilities and store user’s order information. Version 4 of the system utilizes
the databases ancillary, parowcomer2 and seanames to provide for the
advanced capabilities. These three databases are static or do not grow in size
because they are not written into. The databases userinfo and userorder are the
user related databases and they store user information such as address,
telephone number, order information, etc. These databases grow in size because
they are written into. Table 5.2 is the list of MySQL® database tables used by
different versions of Landsat.org Philippines. The schemas of the databases

used in the system are listed in detail on Appendix C.

5.2.2 Establishlng the Local Database

Prior to the conduct of this research, NAMRIA did not have a database of
its Landsat data collection. A local database had to be established to hold the list
of Landsat data and to support features of Landsat.org Philippines. MySQL®
database software was chosen to handle these tasks. MYSQL® was chosen
over other database because the software is free, fully functional, can handle
multiple online transactions, well supported, easy to install, and well documented.
By using a free database, the objective of this research to establish the
ODGISDAS at the least possible cost, using common off-the-shelf technologies

is achieved.

50

MySQL® database and its ODBC driver were installed on the ODGISDAS
server. The ODBC driver is needed by GateKeeper3 to access MySQL®
databases even if both applications are hosted on the same server. MySQL®
Administrator and Control Center were also installed on the ODGISDAS server.
These two additional programs are used to manage MySQL® with a graphical
user interface, an alternative to the command line mode of management. Blank
database tables, including their schemas, can be created in the Control Center
and later updated with values. Database table contents can also be edited and
deleted using this program. Figure 5.2 is a screen capture of MySQL® Control
Center, showing the schema of Iandsatetm. User names, permissions, and
passwords for databases are created and set in MySQL® Administrator. A user
account for Landsat.org Philippines users was created in Administrator and the
access permission for each database was set. Figure 5.3 shows a screen
capture of MySQL® Administrator. Table 5.1 is the list of MySQL® database
tables with Landsat.org Philippines user access permissions. The tables that
were brought into MySQL® were originally in Microsoft Access® or Excel®,
Dbase, or ASCII (American Standard Code for lnforrnation Interchange) formats.
These data had to be exported into a comma delimited format and imported into

MySQL®.

51

 

 

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Figure 5.2. Screen capture of MySQL® Control Center with Iandsatetm table
selected and schema shown.

52

 

Landsat.org Philippines uses several MySQL® database tables and they
are listed in Table 5.2. During the course of development of the system, many
changes were done on MySQL®‘s database tables. New tables were created,
other existing tables were modified or were not used in v4 of Landsat.org. For
instance, seanames database is the database of place names in Southeast Asia
was used in v4 of Landsat.org Philippines to add functionality to the system. The
databases newtm and newetm were used in v4 in place of databases landsattm
and Iandsatetm. The databases newtm and newetm have a more streamlined
record fields and represent more accurately the Landsat data collection of

NAMRIA.

Table 5.1. Landsat.org Philippines MySQL® database user access permissions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table Landsat.org Philippines user permission
seanames Select
Landsatetm Select
Landsattm Select
Newetm Select
Newtm Select
Parowcomer2 Select
Places Select
Seaparow Select
Userinfo Select, update, delete
userorder Select, update, delete
Ancillary Select

 

 

 

53

Table 5.2. MySQL® database tables being used by different versions of
Landsat.orLPhili pines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table Name Description V1 V2 V3 V4

Landsatetm Initial Landsat ETM+ database J

Landsattm Initial Landsat TM database J

Newetm More comprehensive Landsat ETM+ J J J
database

Newtm More comprehensive Landsat TM J J J
database

Parowcomer2 Path and row geographic coordinates J J J J
of comers coordinates

Seanames More comprehensive list of places J
with geographic coordinates

Places List of places with geographic J
coordinates

Userinfo User's information database J J J J

Userorder User’s order database J J J J

Ancillary J

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The database tables, Iandsatetm, landsattm, newetm, and newtm are
Landsat image databases that holds image information. The schemas of these
tables were patterned after the schemas of Landsat.org’s Oracle® database

tables.

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55

Many databases have been added to improve performance and customize
Landsat.org Philippines. One of the major database upgrade is the database with
the names of places, which is being used by EastSearch®. This database was
later upgraded to be more comprehensive and is incorporated in version 4.
During the preparation of this more comprehensive place name database for
integration into the system, I discovered a problem with MySQL® database.
MySQL®‘s performance significantly slowed down when handling queries on
large databases. The place name database contained place names covering the
entire wor1d and its size was about 2GB. If such a database was used in
Landsat.org Philippines, the database will slow down Landsat.org Philippines'
performance. This problem was solved by using only records of place names
within Southeast Asia. The size of the database was significantly reduced to less
than 100MB.

A database of ancillary spatial data was also added to version 4. This
database is a list of available map services with geographic extents. If the
geographic extent of a Landsat tile falls within the geographic extent of any of the
ancillary map service, a list of these services will be generated when the user
clicks on the ancillary data link. These map services become available to the
user for viewing interactively or statically. Some of the available ancillary map
services are: slope, DEM, forest cover density, forest cover map, topographic

map, etc.

56

5.2.3 Connecting to Remote Distributed Landsat Databases

Under laboratory conditions, Landsat.org Philippines communicated with
TRFIC databases using ODBC (Open Database Connectivity). This mode of
communication worked because of the corporate security measures in place for
the entire laboratory computer network. But when Landsat.org Philippines was
installed on NAMRIA’s server where the network conditions were different,
Landsat.org Philippines failed to perform as designed. NAMRIA’s server is
behind a hardware firewall. A hardware firewall is another computer in between
the web server and the World Wide Web. The function of the hardware firewall is
to keep hackers away from the web server by serving as a physical barrier,
closing unnecessary ports, and filtering traffic. NAMRIA’s hardware firewall can
be controlled and configured using a software manufactured by Symantec®.
NAMRIA’s hardware firewall has prevented Landsat.org Philippines from
communicating with TRFIC databases using ODBC connection. Theoretically,
the hardware firewall can be configured to allow internet traffic caused by ODBC
to pass through. But several attempts to configure NAMRIA’s firewall failed to
yield the desired results.

A solution to the problem of making Landsat.org Philippines work with
NAMRIA’s network was to install Landsat.org Philippines on a separate server
that would bypass NAMRIA’s hardware firewall. This solution allowed ODBC
connection to TRFIC databases. But because Landsat.org Philippines is not
under the protection of NAMRIA’s hardware firewall anymore, Landsat.org

Philippines server is vulnerable to hacker attacks. Because of such vulnerability,

57

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TRFIC databases administrator prohibited the use of ODBC to transact with
TRFIC databases because this mode of connection will require TRFIC databases
usemame and password on Landsat.org Philippines’ codes. If Landsat.org
Philippines’ server gets hacked, the hacker can get hold of the usemame and
password to TRFIC databases. Because ODBC cannot be used to communicate
with TRFIC databases, a new mode of connection is needed to fulfill the
objective of a distributed system through Landsat.org Philippines. This new mode
of communicating with TRFIC databases was done using web services. Web
services are self-contained and self-describing application components that
utilize open protocols for communication. Web services can utilize HTTP (port
80) to transfer information between computers and can therefore go through
firewalls of web servers.

I created a web service in C# that connects to two TRFIC Oracle®
databases, namely: cpb.edc_tm and scene. Cpb.edc__tm and scene are
databases that hold Landsat TM image information. The C# web service I
created still utilizes ODBC to communicate with these databases, but the
difference is that the web service is running in one of TRFIC’s servers and not in
Landsat.org Philippines” server. Having the web service running in one of
TRFIC’s servers means that the application is being managed by a TRFIC
administrator and is under the TRFIC system’s corporate network security.
Landsat.org Philippines will just send a request to the web service and the web
service will return the results. To make the web service more secure, a password

is required for every request sent to the service. Without the correct password,

58

the web service will not return a result. Figure 5.4 shows the mode of transaction
taking place between the server, the web service, and database. Figures 5.5
and 5.6 is a screen capture of the two web services being used of the system as

accessed from the lntemet.

5.3 Map Server Subsystem

5.3.1 Map Server Function

The map server generates maps to user and performs the majority of the
GIS functionalities of the ODGISDAS Landsat.org Philippines. Having GIS
functionalities is essential because Landsat.org Philippines is an information
system that deals with geospatial data. The GIS tools allow users to interact and
query geospatial data. In essence, the map server with its associated GIS tools
would help fulfill the objective of this research to provide data access that could
support spatial decision support, planning, and policymaking.

ArclMS® is the map server used by Landsat.org Philippines (Figure 5.12).
Users utilize the map served by ArclMS® to select Landsat tiles using
geographic query by mouse selection. ArclMS® also handles the serving of tile
and place locator maps and geospatial ancillary data. Figures 5.7 and 5.8 shows
the Interactive Map and Interactive Map Lite for Landsat tile selections, Figure
5.9 shows the locator map, Figure 5.10 shows the Extents Map, and Figure 5.11
shows the generic data viewer map, all of which are generated and served by

ArclMS®. The maps that ArclMS® serves comes from map services running

59

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62

inside ArclMS® and are managed using ArclMS®‘s Administrator Program
(Figure 5.12).

5.3.2 Creating Map Services

To create a map service, one has to first create an AXL or MXD file.
These files lists the layers that need to be displayed on the map and the manner
the layer will be displayed. For instance, an AXL or MXD file can list two layers
namely: boundaries and rivers. The manner in which these layers are displayed
is also specified in the AXL or MXD file. For example, the boundary may be
displayed with black, solid lines without any hatchuring or fill. The rivers will be
displayed on top of the boundary layer with blue, broken lines.

An AXL file may be created in the ArclMS® Author Program or using an
ordinary text editor. AXL files are in ASCII format and utilize AXL Language. AXL
Language is a type of XML (extensible markup language) specific to ArclMS®.
MXD files are ArcMAP® project files and are created using ArcMap® Software.
Once an AXL or MXD file has been created, the file can be initiated as a map
service in ArclMS®. The screen capture of ArclMS® Administrator, showing the
list of running map services is shown in Figure 5.12. The list of map services
required to run Landsat.org Philippines and their description is listed on Table
5.3. A map service shown by ArclMS® Administrator as running can be queried
and/or published in the web using ArclMS® Designer or by creating a customized

program using any scripting language.

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Table 5.3. Map services being used by different versions of Landsat.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Philippines.
Map Service Description V1 V2 V3 V4
250000topo 12250.000 scale topographic maps of J
the Philippines
Philgtopo GTOPO data of the Philippines J
Philippines_ov Overview map of the Philippines J
Philsrtm 90m SRTM data of the Philippines J
Sea_ov Overview map of Southeast Asia J
Seaforestcover Southeast Asia 2000 forest cover map J
Seaforestdensity Southeast Asia 2000 forest density J
map
Seagtopo GTOPO data of Southeast Asia J
Seamap Map of Southeast Asia for Landsat tile J
selection
Seamap2 Map of Southeast Asia for Landsat tile J
selection
Seamap3 Map of Southeast Asia for Landsat tile J J
selection
Seamap3_ov Overview of Southeast Asia for map J J
service seamap3
World Map of the world J J
Landsat Landsat data mosaic of the J

 

Philippines

 

 

 

 

 

70

 

5.3.3 Upgrading the Map Server

ArclMS® v. 4.0.1 was used in version 1 to 2 and in the earlier part of
version 3 of Landsat.org Philippines. Problems were encountered in the
administration of map services with this version of ArclMS®. Often, and for
unknown reasons, an existing map service could be refreshed or deleted or a
perfectly working AXL file could not be converted to a map service. Upgrading to
ArclMS® v. 9.0 solved these problems. The ArcMap® image server license is
also included in the installation package of version 9.0, which is a separate
package that has to be purchased for version 4.0.1. This image server allows an
ArcMap® MXD file to be used to create a map service, making map composition
more efficient than doing it by hand in AXL programming. After upgrading

ArclMS® to version 9.0, ArcMap® was used to compose maps for ArclMS®.

5.3.4 Setting up the Map Server Servlet Connector

ArclMS® requires a servlet connector for execution. A servlet connector
connects and communicates between the map server and the web server.
Figure 5.13 shows a diagram of Tomcat® connecting ArclMS® with the web
server. New Atlanta ServletExec® is the servlet connector that comes with the
ArclMS® installation CD by default. The installation package does not include a
license for this servlet, thus, limits the available connection to only one. An
alternative to the New Atlanta ServletExec® is Jakarta Tomcat®, which is free
and can handle unlimited connections. Installing Tomcat® is not straightforward.

Tomcat® needs to be customized with Microsoft® llS (lntemet lnfonnation

71

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72

Services) and a redirector file (isapi_redirector.dll) is needed for the servlet to
work. The procedure for making Tomcat work with ArclMS® is available at the

ESRI website.

5.4 The Web Server Subsystem

5.4.1 Web Server Function

The web server subsystem of Landsat.org Philippines is being handled by
Microsoft® IIS (Internet lnforrnation Services). The web server integrates the
other two components (database and map server subsystems) of Landsat.org
Philippines. This subsystem runs the numerous scripts that access the
distributed databases, displays maps, and provides the graphical user interface
for the system. The different components of the Landsat.org Philippines like
GateKeeper3, Shopping Cart, etc. are run and brought together by the web
server subsystem into a seamless “one-stop-shopping” portal, thereby

accomplishing this objective.

5.4.2 Creating the Scripts

Scripts that comprises Landsat.org Philippines were created using ASP
(Active Server Pages), JavaScript, and HTML (Hypertext Markup Language).
The programming process was done using a freeware editor called AceHTML®.
Figure 5.14 shows AceHTML® 5 Freeware highlighting code syntaxes of

GateKeeper3. ASP scripts added interactive capabilities to the web interface of

73

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74

the system. This interactivity cannot be achieved by merely using HTML. ASP
scripts can generate HTML and JavaScript codes programmatically and on the
fly. Scripts makeup components of Landsat.org Philippines, which handles
specific tasks like user registration, database access, running the shopping cart,
etc. The components, on the other hand, integrates the entire system. These
components are shown in Table 5.4. Some of the components have
dependencies on MySQL® database tables and ArclMS® map services in order
to run. Table 5.5 lists the dependencies of each component on databases and
map services.

One initial objective of this study was to develop a system that would run with the
least dependency on commercial software. Though Landsat.org Philippines is
highly dependent on ArclMS® for its mapping function, EasySearchT“, the
clickable map, and GateKeeper3 can run without it. GateKeeper3 does not need
ArclMS® to connect to databases and search for Landsat data. EasySearch'”
and the clickable map relies on a databases with geographic coordinates and an
algorithm that checks if a point is within a particular Landsat tile. Determining
whether a point is inside or outside a Landsat tile is easy if the tile is a square or
a rectangle. The point’s coordinates will have to be compared with the minimum
and maximum coordinates of the polygon. But because a Landsat tile is a
parallelogram, using merely the parallelogram's minimum and maximum
coordinates to determine whether a point is inside or outside will not work.
Figure 5.15 illustrates this scenario. Point 1 is outside the parallelogram, points 2

and 3 are inside the parallelogram, and point 4 is outside

75

Table 5.4. Code components being used by different versions of Landsat.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Philippines
Code Description V1 V2 V3 V4
Component

lndex, help, Front page, help documents, and J J J J

documents, and others

about up pages

Interactive Page ArclMS generated map page for J J J
Landsat tile selection

Interactive Lite Customized ArclMS map page for J J

Page Landsat tile selection

Advanced Search Landsat data search by form J J J J

Page

Graphical Page Clickable graphics map for Landsat J J
tile selection

Easy Search Page A place name search approach to J J
Landsat tile selection

Shopping Cart The shopping cart J J J J

User Registration User registration page J J J J

Page

Gatekeeper Page Main program, which searches J J J J
different databases for Landsat data

Zoomlmage Page Page for zooming in and out on J J J J
Landsat quicklook images

Locator Page Locates a place on a map J J

Data Coverage Maps the extents of a Landsat tile J J

Page

Ancillary Data Shows a list of available ancillary J

Page data

 

76

 

Table 5.5. Landsat.org Philippines code component dependencies on databases
and map services.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Code Component Map Service Database Dependency
Dependency

Index, help, documents, and None None

about up pages

Interactive Page Seamap3

Interactive Lite Page Seamap3 Places, prowcorner2,
seaplaces

Advanced Search Page none none

Graphical Page none Parowcomer2

Easy Search Page none Places, seaplaces

Shopping Cart none Userinfo, userorder

User Registration Page none Userinfo

Gatekeeper Page library Newetm, newtm,
cpb.edc_tm, scene

Zoomimage Page none none

Locator Page World, seamap3 none

Data Coverage Page world Parowcomer2,

Ancillary Data Page various ancillary

 

 

 

 

77

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78

the parallelogram. Based on merely the minimum and maximum coordinates of
the parallelogram, point 4 would seem to be inside, but in reality it is outside. By
drawing an imaginary horizontal and vertical line that passes through point 4 and
counting the number of intersections the line made with the sides of the
parallelogram on all four directions, the system can determine whether point 4 is
inside or outside. The point is inside the Landsat tile if the number of
intersections on each of the four directions is odd, othenNise it is outside. The
algorithm that performs this work is shown in large, bold fonts and imbedded in

the EasySearchTM parse.asp code attached as Appendix D.

5.4.3 Landsat.org Philippines Server Specifications

Landsat.org Philippines was installed on a server with the following
specifications listed on Table 5.6. The specification of the server is far from ideal,
especially for a map server, which reads Megabytes of raster data. By utilizing a
computer with a modest computing power, I was able to demonstrate the
possibility of deploying the ODGISDAS at a very minimal cost, using ordinary

hardware and software.

79

Table 5.6. Landsat.org Philippines server specifications.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item Specification

Processor 2.26GHz Intel CeleronT"

Memory 128MB

Hard Disk 4068 DE

Operating System Windows 2000 ServerTM

Map Server Software ArclMSi’M v. 9.0

Anti Virus Norton Anti-Virus”

Firewall Blacklce DefenderTM

Remote Access Software Windows Terminal Server and/or
PCAnywhereT“

lntemet Connection 5OOKBps

 

5.4.4 Administration, Maintenance, and Implementation

Access using remote desktop connection was a problem because the
ODGISDAS server’s initially installed firewalls did not allow such connections.
The problem with remote desktop connection was fixed by having someone with
physical access to the server install PCAnywhere® and open the firewalls to
specific IP addresses. PCAnywhere® is a software product of Symantec® that
allows remote desktop access to computers. Once the remote desktop
connection using PCAnywhere® was established, the server was configured for
use with Windows® Remote Desktop Connection and was later used to manage
the server remotely. The server's old firewalls were also replaced with the one
specified on Table 5.6. The firewall was configured and tested to determine the

optimum settings that would prevent hacking, but will still allow remote

80

administration. Installation, management, and update of patches, anti-virus
definition, software, and data are currently being done on the ODGISDAS server
using Windows® Remote Desktop Connection. Figure 5.16 shows the server’s
desktop accessed through Windows® Remote Desktop Connection.

Because Landsat.org Philippines will be a functioning website, it will have
to be always accessible to the public, in running condition, and protected from
viruses and hackers. A maintenance and implementation plan was created
outlining the regular maintenance tasks needed to be done on the ODGISDAS
server at least once a week and steps to be undertaken if the server’s security
gets compromised. The detailed maintenance and implementation plan is

attached as Appendix E.

81

 

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5.5 Training and Technology Transfer

Training of technical staff was done at the NAMRIA (National Mapping and
Resource lnforrnation Authority), Makati City, Philippines. I demonstrated the
system's features and capabilities, discussed possible improvements to the
system, and explored ideas on how Landsat.org Philippines can be used as a
baseline technology for the agency’s geographic information infrastructure
development. The purpose of the training was to acquaint the agency’s technical
staff with Landsat.org Philippines, provide them with knowledge on the system’s
operation, and teach them basic troubleshooting techniques.

Landsat.org Philippines documentation manuals were handed to the
participants and hands-on setting-up and operation of’the entire system was
performed on the participant’s computers. Installation and configuration of
ArclMS®, MySQL® Server, Microsoft® IIS, and the different prerequisite
software were among the tasks that were performed. I also taught basic
database operation using SQL (standard query language) because this skill is
necessary in MySQLT'“ database management. The training program and

pictures are attached as Appendix F and G.

5.6 Data Processing for Landsat.org Philippines

Although most of the work involved in developing Landsat.org Philippines
was programming, data processing and preparation were some of the minor, but
necessary task required to produce the necessary map layers and databases for

the system. Higher resolution raster data and vector files that represents better

83

actual ground features were secured and used instead of the more common and
readily available coarse resolution datasets. Datasets in different projection
systems were reprojected to Geographic Lat/Long Projection with a WGSB4
datum. Raster and vector files were clipped to the extent of Southeast Asia to
improve performance of the system. Spreadsheet files of place names were
trimmed to remove unnecessary columns and were converted to MySQL®
database format. Scanned topographic maps were rectified and cropped to their

extents to create a mosaic map without any gaps.

CHAPTER VI
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

6.1 Assessing Landsat.org Philippines Based on Objectives

One way to assess if I have successfully developed an ODGISDAS
through Landsat.org Philippines is to examine the system based on the
objectives that were set at the start of this research.

The first objective is to demonstrate the possibility of searching for
Landsat data from multiple databases located at different geographic locations
from a single web portal. This objective has been met by Landsat.org Philippines.
In particular, GateKeeper3 can access two local databases and three remote
Landsat databases located at Michigan State University, USA. Data searching for
both TM and ETM+ sensors are done seamlessly from the system’s web
interface. The system can also access non-Landsat ancillary map services on
different servers in the United States. Ancillary data are linked geographically
and seamlessly to every data search results returned.

The second objective is to develop an open, distributed data archive
system using common computer technologies and software already available in
most government offices and universities, but integrated through standards and
protocols. Objective two has been met by Landsat.org Philippines. Surprisingly,
the system runs on a server with specifications below that of a descent desktop
computer. The system also uses open source software such as MySQL®

database and utilizes web standard technologies such as HTTP and JavaScript.

85

Though the system was written in ASP and designed to run on a Windows®
Server operating system, a similar system that runs on a Linux® operating
system can be made using PHP® or JSP®. Although some parts of the system
utilizes ArclMS®, a proprietary software, the system can be written in such a way
that it does not depend on such technologies. ArclMS® only adds neat
functionalities to Landsat.org Philippines. If needed, ArclMS® can be replaced
with an open source map server.

The third objective is to develop a seamless “one-stop-shop" interface for
the ODGISDAS. This objective has been met by Landsat.org Philippines. The
system allows seamless searching for both TM and ETM+ satellite data. Users
can also directly order data through the system’s shopping cart.

The fourth objective is to conduct training of NAMRIA technical staff on the
operation and maintenance of the ODGISDAS to provide technology transfer.
This objective was met when I went back to NAMRIA, Philippines, to install the
first version of Landsat.org Philippines. Training on the operation, maintenance,
and troubleshooting was given to some of the technical staff of the Database
Management Division, lnforrnation Management Department, NAMRIA.
Handouts were also distributed to the participants. The pictures taken during the
training are shown as Appendix G.

The fifth objective is to provide a technical approach to data access that
could support spatial decision support, planning, and policy making. Landsat.org
Philippines has fulfilled this objective. Landsat.org Philippines utilizes the lntemet

and the latest software and computing technologies to bring information to

86

people. These information are vital in decision support for planning and policy
making. Using technology, particularly the lntemet, to disseminate geographic
information is non-conventional as compared to the paper maps and data
storage media that most users are accustomed with. This method for

disseminating information is efficient and cost effective in the long run.

6.2 Evaluating Landsat.org Philippines Based on Similar Online Services
6.2.1 The Difference Between Landsat.org Philippines and Google® Map,
Google® Earth, Terra Server® USA, and MapQuest®.

Many online mapping websites exists with very impressive contents,
speeds, and functionalities. Examples of these types of websites are Google®
Map, Google® Earth, TerraServer® USA, MapQuest®, etc. Each of these
commercial websites have their own unique capability, which makes them
sellable to consumers. MapQuest® is a favorite among travelers as it provides
them with road maps, detailed directions, hotels, etc. Google Map is competing
with MapQuest® in providing users with the same service, plus the added value
of viewing high resolution satellite imagery. Google® Earth is another interactive
online application with 3D viewing capabilities. The TerraServer® USA provides
online viewing of topographic maps and high resolution imagery.

One of the main difference of Landsat.org Philippines with these online
mapping website is that the former is a distributed system and the others are not.

These websites function using a central database system, although may be

87

distributed as database grids, with database control and management exclusive
to the owner of the site.

Another difference between Landsat.org Philippines and the commercial
websites that were mentioned are their functions. The function of Landsat.org
Philippines is to provide seamless access and ordering of Landsat data. These
commercial websites focus on providing services to users like road direction,
hotel searching, 3D viewing, etc. These commercial websites function more as
service providers than data distributors.

Google® Map, Google® Earth, and TerraServer® USA, though no doubt
useful and impressive, do not provide multi-temporal data access and viewing.
These services only provide users with a “pretty picture” of the Earth’s surface as
a one time shot. Users are unable to view and compare old data with newer
ones, a function necessary for change analysis. On the other hand, Landsat.org
Philippines allows users to search for and visually compare Landsat data taken
from different dates.

Google® Earth requires the installation of an application to the user's
computer in order to access and utilize the system. On the other hand,
Landsat.org Philippines is web based and will only require the user to use a web
browser. Requiring users to install a software on the computer is a bad practice
and violates interoperability and downward compatibility.

Landsat.org Philippines has a special niche in the scientific community.
Similar to Landsat.org and the USGS National Map. Landsat.org Philippines

provides essential services to the people, scientific community, and the

88

government. These services can never be provided by commercial companies
because they are not profitable enough. Providing access to multi-temporal
Landsat data is Landsat.org Philippines’s niche. Not many people would be
interested to acquire a Landsat data, but access to these data have to be
provided to serve scientists, resource planners, environmentalists, and students

conducting research on the environment.

6.2.2. Difference Between Landsat.org Philippines and Geodata.gov

Geodata.gov, which can be accessed using the URL
http:/lwww.geodata.gov, is an information portal designed to facilitate
communication of geographic data and resources to, enhance government
efficiency and improve citizen services (Department of the Interior, n.d.).
Geodata.gov brings together all the geospatial information compiled and
maintained by different federal agencies and some private sectors into a single
web portal. Geodata.gov does not maintain geospatial data, but only maintains a
master list of data providers and repositories.

One major difference between Landsat.org Philippines and Geodata.gov
is their data collections. Landsat.org Philippines focuses on Landsat data;
Geodata.gov handles all geospatial information. Also, Geodata.gov does not
maintain copies of geospatial data and serves only as a clearinghouse,

Landsat.org Philippines maintains copies of Landsat data.

89

6.2.3. Difference Between Landsat.org Philippines and Landsat.org.

Landsat.org Philippines is the Southeast Asian node and a franchise of
Landsat.org. Both systems have the same basic function of providing access to
Landsat data. While Landsat.org serves the entire globe, Landsat.org Philippines
caters to the Southeast Asian market. Landsat.org Philippines provides the user
a feeling of closeness through its interface and maps. The maps the system uses
only shows Southeast Asia, giving the system a more local touch. Landsat.org
Philippines enjoys some degree of independence from Landsat.org and could
develop innovative tools that cater to the needs of the local users.

The major difference between the two systems is on the way they utilize
databases. Landsat.org Philippines connects to distributed database systems,
while Landsat.org does not. Landsat.org Philippines searches distributed Landsat
databases scattered throughout the globe on—demand. Landsat.org does not
perform this task, but updates its database in a different way. Landsat.org
Philippines also utilizes “open” standards and protocols to connect to distributed
databases and map servers.

Other differences that exist between the two systems are the tools used
by users to select and interact with data. Landsat.org Philippines have useful
tools that were built from scratch that are not present in Landsat.org. A good
example is the EasySearchT". This tool was designed for users who are
comfortable with search engines. Another example is the linking with ancillary
data, which provides the benefit of being able to compare different data side by

side.

90

6.3 Usability of Landsat.org Philippines
6.3.1 Landsat.org Philippines in the Local Language

In order for Landsat.org Philippines to effectively fulfill its mission of
bringing information closer to people, the system’s wordings were translated into
the local language - Tagalog. Not many websites in the Philippines have their
wordings in Tagalog because many people in the country can understand
English, as it serves as the country's secondary language and official language
used for business transactions. By translating the wordings of the website to the
local language, Landsat.org Philippines can reach people, who are not
comfortable in using the English language, to have an interest in the science of
GIS and remote sensing and what it can do for the environment. Landsat.org
Philippines is bridging the information divide in science by removing the language
barrier that exists between science and technology and the common people.
Landsat.org Philippines being translated into the local language is a paradigm
shift from the way websites in the country are made and will serve as a model for
other websites. Figure 6.1 shows the front page of Landsat.org Philippines

translated into Tagalog, one of the local languages in the country.

91

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6.3.2 Linking Ancillary Data with Landsat.org Philippines

Landsat.org Philippines search results are linked to a variety of ancillary
data. We gain knowledge about the environment by seeing patterns and
identifying linkages and associations. The purpose of linking ancillary data to
search results is to reveal these patterns and make more visible the linkages and
associations between the Landsat data and other biophysical data. This linking is
essential because it will lead to the discovery of many new things hidden in
nature.

One of the prerequisites for planners to make sound decisions regarding
the environment are thematic maps of their area of interest. Landsat.org
Philippines’ ancillary data are thematic maps taken from different servers around
the globe. Some of these thematic maps are baseline information needed for
planning like the seamless topographic map, SRTM elevation, roads, n'vers, etc.
By bringing all these information together through Landsat.org Philippines,

decision makers could make sustainable development plans for the community.

6.4 Landsat.org Philippines, a Grassroots Level Approach to Implementing
an ODGISDAS.

Landsat.org Philippines is the result of grassroots level approach to
developing an ODGISDAS. This type of approach was recommended to NASA
by the NRC. This approach considers each data archive center as a key player in
the system and provides them with some degree of autonomy to innovate and

develop tools more appropriate for their areas of jurisdiction. This approach also

93

eliminates bureaucracy and the rigidity it imposes to development. Experience
had shown time and again that bureaucracy is indirect opposition to the
democratization of information and the advancements in information technology.
Because a grassroots level approach to development was utilized in Landsat.org
Philippines, it did not fall prey to the implementation hurdles of a top to bottom

approach that NASA experienced in implementing EOSDIS.

6.5 Landsat.org Philippines, a Springboard for the Development of the
Philippines’ National Geographic Information Infrastructure.

The implementation of the Philippines' National Geographic lnforrnation
Infrastructure has experienced many problems like technological, institutional,
standards, etc. These problems are valid and requires attention, but can be
addressed little by little with each version release of the infrastructure's system
components. Although Lansat.org Philippines is far from the ideal system
envisaged by the planners of the NGII, this ODGISDAS can serve as baseline
technology needed for the entire project to take-off. Teams working on the NGII
can build upon Landsat.org Philippines’ technology and can benefit from the
experience and the lessons Ieamed from building the system. With Landsat.org
Philippines, the country already has a tangible output that could spark a renewed
interest from people at the management level, inspire people at the development
team to continue working on the NGII, and that the project can be accomplished

one version at a time.

6.6 Using Landsat.org Philippines
6.6.1 Front Page

Version 4.0 is the final version of the open, distributed GIS data archive
system Landsat.org Philippines and can be accessed using the URL
http://202.90.12_8.189/v4/index.html. Landsat.org Philippines can be accessed
from any computer with an internet connection using W3C compatible browsers.
The front page of Landsat.org Philippines provides the user with links to the
different data search methods and other supporting web pages such as
documents, help, and about us. Four data search methods are available for use:
interactive lite, interactive, form, and EasySearchT". Each search method has its
own set of advantageous features and will be discussed in the following sections.

The web pages of Landsat.org Philippines were created devoid of fancy
graphics that require external plug-ins and consume bandwidth and processing
power. This ensures that the system can be used efficiently on older computers.
The front page of Landsat.org Philippines is presented in a straight fonlvard
manner. The links to the different methods of searching for Landsat data can
never be missed by the user because it occupies a significant portion of the

page. Figure 6.2 shows the front page of Landsat.org Philippines.

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6.6.2 Documents, About Us, and Help Page

The documents page can be accessed by clicking on the “Documents” link
on the banner menu of the front page. This page contains documents and links
related to the use of Landsat data. Some of these documents are: journal
articles, research papers, steps for radiometric correction, data user’s handbook,
etc. Figure 6.3 shows the documents page. The about us page can be accessed
by clicking on the “About Us” link on the banner menu of the front page. The
about us page provides the user information about the host of Landsat.org
Philippines, office address, telephone numbers, and emails. Figure 6.4 shows
the about us page. The help page can be accessed by clicking on the “Help” link
on the banner menu of the front page. The help page provides the user with a
detailed, step by step procedure on utilizing Landsat.org Philippines and its

components. Figure 6.5 shows the help page.

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6.6.3 Interactive Lite Page

The interactive lite page can be launched by clicking on “Interactive Lite”
link on the data search method menu on the front page. Figure 6.6 shows the
interactive lite page. This page loads much faster than the interactive page, does
not utilize frames, and is recommended for users with slow internet connections.
This interface allows users to visually select Landsat tiles from a map generated
by ArclMS® with WRSZ tiles overlain.

Zooming-in and zooming-out of the map is performed by pressing the
zoom-in and zoom-out buttons. Panning can be done by clicking on a portion of
the map that the user wants to go to. The point that the user clicked will become
the new center of the map, identified by a white clot. The coordinates of the white
dot is reported to the user as X and Y values and is located next to the zoom-in
and zoom-out buttons. Figure 6.7 shows the reported coordinates of the white

dot, the zoom in and out buttons, and the select data radio buttons.

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buttons, and select data radio buttons.

The user has two options for selecting Landsat tiles. The user can either
point and click on a tile or directly specify the path and row of a tile to add it to the
selection list. Once the tile has been added into this list, the user has the option
to highlight the tile on the map using the “map it” function. Figure 6.8 shows the
“map it” function highlighting a tile. To utilize the point and click mode of selecting
a tile, the user will have to turn “on” the select data radio button from its default
“off" position and select a tile by clicking on it with the left mouse button. The
select data radio button is shown in Figure 6.7. To select a tile by direct input of
path and row, input the path and row on the path and row text boxes and press
the “Select” button. Refinements to the data search can be done by specifying
the sensor, cloud cover, and starting and ending dates before pressing the
“Search Database” button.

One of the unique features of the interactive lite page is that the selection

list is being handled by ASP’s scripting object dictionary. This feature allows

103

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select another tile while maintaining the previously selected tiles on the selection
list. Another unique feature of this page is its capability to allow users to perform
a place name search similar to that of EasySearchT". Coupled with this feature is
the ability to navigate to the area of interest once a place is selected from the list
of possible places returned by the place name search operation. Once the
matching place is identified and selected for display, the user is presented with a
map with the place of interest identified by a white dot on the center. Figure 6.9
shows the results of a place name search for “cagayan de oro,” a city in the
Philippines. Figure 6.10 shows a zoomed-in map of Cagayan de Oro City,
Philippines, with the place of interest identified by a white dot at the center of the
map. This map was generated when the “Get Map” button of Cagayan de Oro
City on the results list was pressed. Interactive lite utilizes the same place name

database that EasySearchT” utilizes.

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Figure 6.9. Results of a place name search for “cagayan de oro,” a city
in the Philippines.

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Interactive lite also allows users to navigate through the map by selecting
a country from a drop down list. Figure 6.11 shows the country of Brunei as
selected and displayed on the map when the “Get Map” button was pressed.
Another way to navigate through the map is by inputting map coordinates on the
longitude and latitude text boxes and clicking on the “Get Map” button. Once the
user performs this operation, a map with the inputted coordinates identified by
the white dot on the center will be displayed. Figure 6.12 shows the coordinates
121.5000, 18.5000 inputted and the corresponding map displayed.

The interactive lite was a recent addition to Landsat.org Philippines and
was available on version 3.0 onwards. The initial purpose of interactive lite was
to replace the interactive map, which does not perform well on slow internet
connections. Eventually, both interactive and interactive lite were used on
version 4.0 because each interface has its own set advantages that contributed

to the overall functionality of the system.

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6.6.4 Interactive Map Web Page

The interactive map page can be launched by clicking on the “Interactive”
link on the data search method menu of the front page. Figure 6.13 shows the
interactive map web page. Similar to the interactive lite page, this page allows
users to visually select Landsat tiles from a map with WRSZ tiles overlain. The
interactive map page was created by modifying the default ArclMS® generated
web pages. One of the major strengths of this interface is the highly functional
toolbar. ESRI has equipped its default ArclMS® web page with a toolbar similar
to that of ArcViewT" and ArcExplorerT", with associated baseline functions
available on most GIS packages. Users familiar with ESRI® GIS software may
find it more convenient to use the interactive map because it has functionalities
most GIS users are accustomed with. Also, because many offices around the
world utilize ArclMS® and its default web page to serve their maps, the
interactive map could be more attractive to other ArclMS® default web page
users because of the signature look and feel and functions common to these web
pages. Figure 6.14 shows the interactive map toolbar and the name/function of
each icon.

The interactive map is more suited for users with fast internet connections.
The interface utilizes frames and may not work properly with browsers that
disallows pop-ups and frames. Because of the many functions imbedded on this
interface, complete loading of the pages takes longer than the interactive lite
because of the numerous algorithms and variables that computers. both server

and client, will have to perform and load into their memories.

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The interactive map allows users to select single or multiple Landsat tiles
by creating a bounding box, an irregular polygon, or a line. To select multiple
adjacent tiles using a bounding box, the user must click on the “select by
rectangle" icon on the toolbar and create a bounding box on the map that
intersects the Landsat tiles of interest. A bounding box is created by left clicking
(without releasing) on a place on the map, dragging the mouse to create the
bounding box, and releasing the left button to finalize the selection. Any tile within
the bounding box gets included in the selection list. The selection list will appear
at the bottom of the map once the bounding box has been created. Figure 6.15
shows four Landsat tiles selected using a bounding box. The selection list is at

the bottom of the map.

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represent a vertex of the polygon. To finalize the selection, the user must press
the “Complete Polygon & Select” button that would appear below the map. Any
tile that falls inside or intersects with the bounding polygon will be included in the
selection list. Figure 6.16 shows seven Landsat tiles selected using a polygon.

To select multiple tiles with a line, the user must click on the “select by
line/polygon” icon on the toolbar and draw the line on the map with the click of
the left mouse button. Each click would represent a vertex of the line. To finalize
the selection, the user must press the “Complete Line & Select” button that would
appear below the map. Any tile that intersects with the selection line will be
included on the selection list. Figure 6.17 shows six Landsat tiles selected using
a selection line. Once a selection list has been generated, the user can set to
have results from both TM and ETM+ sensors returned, modify the starting and

ending date, and adjust the cloud cover before starting the database search.

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6.6.5 Form Page

The form page can be launched by clicking on the “form” link on the data
search method menu of the front page. Figure 6.18 shows the form page. The
advanced search form is designed for users familiar with the Landsat WRSZ tile
system. The form loads fast because the page has simple algorithms and is
devoid of graphic elements present in the interactive lite and interactive web
pages. Similar to the first two modes of data searching, the form page allows
users to search for both TM and ETM+ sensors, modify the start and end dates,
and adjust the percentage cloud cover. Up to ten different Landsat tiles may be

inputted and searched using this form.

6.6.6 EasySearchT" Page

The EasySearchT“ page can be launched by clicking on the
“EasySearchW'” link on the data search menu of the front page. Figure 6.19
shows the EasySearchT“ Page. EasySearchT” was patterned after the search
engine type of information search available on the internet that most computer

users are familiar with and is one of the strengths of this interface.

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EasySearchTM was designed for users who are not familiar with the WRSZ
tile system, but have an idea of the place where they want a satellite data. By
inputting the name of the place of interest on the text box and pressing the
“Search” button, the system will search for records in its database that matches
the place name the user inputted and returns the results to the user. From the list
of possible place name matches, the user is given the option to locate the area
on a map or start searching for the Landsat data. Figure 6.20 shows the place
locator. The zoomed-out map on the left is the Island of Jolo, Philippines. The
zoomed-in map on the right is a place on the Island of Jolo called “Jolo.”

Since EasySearchT" started using the more comprehensive version of the
place name database, more place names that were not available in the old
database became available for searching. The new database also provided more
detailed descriptions of place name results. Figure 6.21 shows place name
search results for Jolo, Philippines. EasySearchm returned different entries for
Jolo, with corresponding descriptions like if it is a populated place, an island,
airfield, etc. By default, EasySearchW‘ searches for both TM and ETM+ sensors

and assumes a 35% cloud cover.

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GateKeeper3 is the component of Landsat.org Philippines that receives all
search details from either interactive lite, interactive, form, or EasySearchTM and
accesses and searches the distributed databases for Landsat data. GateKeeper3
displays the results to the users in a paged format with Landsat browse images
shown as thumbnails. Next to each thumbnail image are the details about the
Landsat data such as sensor, date, path and row, cloud cover, price, and archive
location. GateKeeper3 also provides links to a data coverage viewer and to the
list of available ancillary data. From GateKeeper3 an image may be selected for
purchase and will be added to the shopping cart. GateKeeper3 also provides a
link to Zoomlmage, a component of Landsat.org Philippines that allows users to
zoom in and out of the browse product. Zoomlmage is activated by clicking on
the Landsat image thumbnail. Figure 6.22 shows GateKeeper3 with search
results for Hundred Islands, Pangasinan, Philippines. Figure 6.23 shows a
Landsat image thumbnail with associated information and links to the data
coverage viewer and ancillary data viewer. Figure 6.24 shows the data coverage
viewer. Figure 6.25 shows the ancillary data list viewer. Figure 6.26 shows the

Zoomlmage page.

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GateKeeper3 was written in ASP and cannot be activated without going
through any of the four available data search methods. The needed variables
and proper syntax will have to be posted by any of the four to GateKeeper3 to
make it run. GateKeeper3 holds the access key to the distributed Landsat
databases. Codes of GateKeeper3 are hidden from the users because they run
only on the server. The user can only see the HTML codes generated by the
server from running the ASP program. GateKeeper3 is designed to access five
databases: the local TM and ETM+ databases and the remote TRFIC classic TM,
EDC TM, and ETM+ databases. The local databases are accessed using ODBC,
the classic TM and EDC TM using web services written in C#, and the ETM+
using map service “library.” These databases are of different manufacturers,
generations, mode of connections, and security requirements. These diverse
characteristics are typical of the world’s database environment. Having been
able to successfully connect to different types of database software using
different modes of connection, GateKeeper3 is a working model for an open,
seamless, distributed, different generations database access envisioned by
scientist to serve the community. Three years ago, this task would have been
difficult to accomplish. But with the continued development and adoption of the
web services technology as a standard for server to server communication, what
was once difficult is now possible to accomplish.

GateKeeper3 handles both Landsat TM and ETM+ data. The sequence at
which the Landsat image thumbnails are displayed are based on their priority,

determined by the geographic proximity of the database to the host agency.

130

Landsat data available locally and whose records are in the local databases are
given display priority over data records available on remote databases where the
actual data is held. After following this rule, GateKeeper3 follows another rule:
ETM+ data are displayed first before the TM data. GateKeeper3 then sorts the
data according to their date, with the latest image being displayed first and the
oldest displayed last. Retrieval of similar data from different databases cannot be
avoided, as this is a characteristic of the world’s databases. As with finding the
same product on different stores with different prices, the same is true for the
prices of similar data found on the databases of different data centers. When
GateKeeper3 encounters duplicate data, it eliminates the duplicate entry by
giving priority to the data on the local database. The user does not get results of
similar data from different sites with different prices. Discrepancy in the price of

similar data could result to confusion on the part of user/client.

6.6.8 Shopping Cart

The shopping cart is the e-commerce component of Landsat.org
Philippines. Figure 6.27 shows the shopping cart. The shopping cart can be
accessed only from GateKeeper3 and cannot be run by typing its URL on the
browser. Shopping cart utilizes a session id posted by GateKeeper3 when the
user clicks on the orange “ADD TO CART” graphics button. This mechanism
prevents the shopping cart from being used to add garbage entries to the
database. A user must be registered to utilize the shopping cart and will have to

input his/her email for the system to check if the user is registered. If the user is

131

registered, the system will retrieve the user’s profile and display it. The shipping
address is one of the information included in the user's profile. If the user wishes
to change some information in the profile, helshe is provided the option to edit
them. If all the information in the profile is correct, the user has the option to
checkout or to continue browsing for Landsat images. Figure 6.28 and 6.29
shows the login form the user needs to fill-up to access the update user profile
form. Once the user submits his/her updated profile, a confirmation message is
sent to the user. Figure 6.30 shows this confirmation message. If the user is
new, the system will prompt the user to register. After the registration process,
the system sends a message to the user confirming the registration. Figure 6.31

and 6.32 shows the user registration form and the confirmation message.

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138

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As Landsat images are added to the shopping cart, the total price the user
has to pay gets updated automatically and are displayed in a highlighted manner.
Once the user is finished choosing images, the user can checkout and a
confirmation message will be sent to the user’s browser. The confirmation
message not only serves to inform the user of the end of his/her order session,
but also provides the user with additional information on the steps to take to
finalize his/her orders. Figure 6.33 shows the order confirmation message.

The shopping cart component of Landsat.org Philippines utilizes two
MySQL databases, the userinfo and userorder databases. Userinfo stores all
information related to the user. Userorder stores the order history of each user.
The two tables are linked with a unique customer id, composed of the user’s

session ID and last name.

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6.6.9 Ancillary Data

Landsat.org Philippines has a collection of ancillary data that could be of
interest to GIS data users. These data exists as ArclMS® map services, some
are located locally and others are found on servers outside the Philippines. The
link to the list of ancillary data is found on GateKeeper3 when it generates search
results. Clicking on the link opens up a new browser window with the list of the
available ancillary data and their links. Figure 6.25 shows the ancillary data list
viewer. Clicking on the “View Map” link displays a static map of the chosen
ancillary data with the Landsat tile footprint overlain. All listed ancillary data share
the same image dimension and extents when displayed and thus, can be easily
compared with one another side by side. Figure 6.34 shows the 12250.000
topographic map ancillary data and Figure 6.35 shows the Landsat mosaic
ancillary data. These static maps may be viewed interactively by clicking on the
“View Interactive Version” link found at the top center of every map. Depending
on where the ancillary data is being hosted, if the map service is locally hosted,
the generic map viewer will be used. If the map service is being hosted on a
remote server, the Sternberg Map Viewer will be used. Figure 6.36 shows the
generic map viewer showing the Philippines’ SRTM mosaic. Figure 6.37 shows
the Sternberg Map Viewer showing the minimum temperature for a 10-day
period. The Sternberg Map Viewer was called as such because the map viewer
was created by Sternberg (2005) and was modified for use in Landsat.org

Philippines.

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6.7 Technical Training

A technical training was conducted at the National Mapping and Resource
Information Authority from January 4 to 6 and from 10 to 12, 2005. The schedule
of the training is attached as Appendix F. Five technical staff of the Database
Management Division participated in the training. The pictures of the training are
attached as Appendix G.

A system overview presentation was given to the participants prior to the
start of the training. This presentation included a live demonstration of
Landsat.org Philippines and a short talk on how the system works at a higher
level. This presentation was followed by the technical training. Participants were
given a handout to serve as reference material for the training. Participants were
given the opportunity to install the software necessary to an Landsat.org
Philippines. Some participants encountered problems during this process and
were instructed to start over using a different computer. Once the necessary
software were installed, the participants were guided to the step by step
procedure of configuring the system components. Configuration of the system is
the most difficult part of the training because each computer would require a
unique configuration. The participants were told of things they need to consider
when adjusting the configuration of the system. Because this is the first time the
technical staff of the Database Division has handle a low level technical training,
the participants were closely guided during the most difficult part of this exercise.

Questions were answered during the course of the training.

146

A talk on the possible use of Landsat.org Philippines’ technology to start
the NGII project was given to the participants. Overall, the training went as
planned. Managers at NAMRIA showed a positive response on the training and

benefits it can give to the technical staff and the agency.

6.8 The E-commerce Approach

Landsat.org Philippines has an e-commerce component through the
shopping cart. Landsat.org Philippines chargers its clients a minimal amount to
cover data delivery and hardware maintenance. The purpose of this charge is
not to make a profit, but to make the information system sustainable.
Sustainability will ensure the availability and continuity of the service and will
foster further advancements and innovations. The majority of the operating cost
of Landsat.org Philippines is being shouldered by NAMRIA, in essence the data
the client receives is mostly subsidized by the agency. TRFIC follows an e-

commerce model and is the major reason for its continuous service.

6.9 Landsat.org Philippines, a Model Information System for Southeast
Asia.

Landsat.org Philippines is a model information system for the Southeast
Asian region. Southeast Asia has a developing economy and countries have a
good telecommunication and internet system. An ODGISDAS like Landsat.org
Philippines will be highly useful in bringing information to some corners of the

region where information and science and technology is in demand. Countries

147

 

maintaining ground receiving stations like Thailand, Singapore, and Taiwan will
also benefit from this information system because it will expose to people their
products and services. But the end beneficiary is the people of Southeast Asia.
People will get to choose from different types of satellite data, some are
expensive, but most are free. Bringing information to the people of the region
through an information system like Landsat.org Philippines will give them more
knowledge of their environment, which if they use correctly will improve the

quality of life.

6.9 Speed Testing of Landsat.org Philippines

The speed of some components of Landsat.org Philippines was tested on
different computers located at different places and with different internet
connection speeds. The purpose of the speed test is not to draw a conclusion on
the average speed and how user friendly the system and its components are nor
to perform a statistical analysis of the different speed measurements, but to show
that the system performs at a reasonable speed for people to use. Table 6.1
shows the speed test results for some components of Landsat.org Philippines.
The interactive map and GateKeeper3 performs the slowest among the
components tested. GateKeeper3’s slow performance is not because the
program just runs too slow, but because GateKeeper3 has to access several
databases at different parts of the globe. The interactive map is slow because as
a result of it being fully functional, the interface is loaded with many algorithms

that the server and the client’s computer will have to perform. This interface also

148

requires back and forth communication with the server and the client while the

pages are loading and when any operation on the map is being performed.

Table 6.1. Speed test results for some components of Landsat.org Philippines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IP Address Front Interactive Interactive Easy Gate
page lite (0’ 00") Search" Keeper3
(0’ 00”) (0' 00”) (0’ 00") (0’ 00")

198.242.23.9 0’ 07” 0’ 24” 1’ 08" 0’ 13” 1' 19’
office LAN (Ann
Arbor, MI)
35.10.89.140 0’ 21" 0’ 38” 0' 11” 1’ 34”
university internet
(MSU, East Lansing,
MI)
128.211.179.108 0’ 17” 0’ 29” 1’ 09” * 0’ 11" 1’ 09”
university internet
(Purdue University,
IN)
35.11.49.139 0’ 38” 0’ 36” 2’ 30" ** 0’ 14” 1’ 30”
Cable (MSU, East
Lansing, MI)
24.1 1 .171.5 0’ 06” 0’ 33” 2’ 22” 0’ 15” 1’ 10”
Cable @kemos, MI)

‘ 68.40.51.213 0’ 06” 0’ 26” 0’ 58” 0’ 12” 1’ 28”
Cable (Ann Arbor,
MI)
65.43.35.79 0’ O5” 0’ 11” 0’ 57" 0’ 20" 1’ 07”
DSL (East Lansing,
MI)

 

* Map and overview map did not load.
** Retried because browser was closed prematurely

149

 

6.10 Issues Concerning Landsat.org Philippines
6.10.1 Cooperation

For an open, distributed GIS data archive system like Landsat.org
Philippines to succeed, a low level cooperation between different data archive
centers is necessary. Each data archive center should allow access to its data
collection by using standard protocols and technologies. But because each data
center’s databases are setup differently and uses different data schemas, a
translator is necessary to comply with the standard protocols. A web service can
serve as translator for the database. This technology was successfully used in
Landsat.org Philippines. For the interconnectivity between data archive center to
happen, each center should cooperate and be willing to transform and/or adapt
their systems to allow interconnectivity. Depending on the level of sophistication
of the data archive center, some centers may require more work than others.
Institutional issues will definitely surface and will have to be resolved internally by

each data center.

6.10.2 Terrorism

One of the great issues on making spatial data available to everybody
over the internet is that these data can be used by terrorist in planning their
attacks. But even if these data are not online, terrorists can easily purchase, by
various means, high resolution images from private companies. Not making

these spatial data available to the public will only hinder world development.

150

 

CHAPTER VII
CASE STUDY
7.1 The Tragedy

The entire barangay of Guisaugon, Saint Bernard, Philippines, was
covered in mud when a portion of the nearby mountain collapsed. The mudslide
occurred on February 17, 2006. Very few people survived the incident because it
occurred in a swift manner. The majority of the residents of the barangay
perished, with very few bodies recovered. The recovery operation was hampered
by the thick and unstable mud, which prevented the use of heavy equipment.
Continuous rainfall made the retrieval operation more difficult. The rescue and
retrieval operations were later stopped due to the impossibility of finding
someone still alive. Figure 7.1 shows a CNN report of the Guinsaugon
Landslide.

Many speculations exists as to what have caused this tragedy. Politicians
blame the illegal loggers and miners. Logging and mining activities removes
forest cover and disturbs the soil, making the area susceptible to landslides.
Scientists from PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical
Services Administration) reported above normal rainfall events in the area
brought about by the La Nina. Scientists from the (PHIVOLCS) Philippine
Institute of Volcanology and Seismology recorded a minor earthquake with an
epicenter near the area before the landslide occurred. An eyewitness of the

tragedy reported hearing rumblings and feeling an earthquake during the event.

151

 

 

   
 

CNN

- ,' "a-IT.‘F':',.

Home Page
Asra

Europe

U.S.

World

World Busrness
Technology
Scrcnce 8. Space
Entertainment
World Sport
Travel

Weather

Special Reports

Waco

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INTERNATIONAL

   

 

Vlln a break!

Click here
to enter

 

WORLDHOTELS?

 

 

 

 

Innrkllrh f

 

 
   

 

 

 

Rescue resumes after 1,500 missing

 

Rescue effort In Philippines slowed by blackout, ground Instability

Saturday. February 18. zoos Posted: 0346 GMT (1140 HKT)

(CNN) - Rescuers have resumed
searching for1,500 people
estimated missing after a
massive mudslide buried a
village in the southern Philippine
island of Leyte.

The head ofthe Philippine Red Cross
Richard Gordon said that as many as 300
people may have died and estimated
1,500 villagers are missing.

But other olficials said itwas still unclear
exactly how many were missing from the
village oft .875 people because they don't
know how many tied after warnings to
leave.

About 24 hours after mud buried hundreds
of homes on Friday morning, 20 villagers
were confirmed dead. and 56 people were
found alive, including a child, said Rosette
Lerlas, provincial governor of Leyte.

Rescue efforts had to be called off
overnight because ofunstable earth and a
lack ofelectn’city. said Defense Secretary
Avelino Cruz, who is leading the rescue

    

Armctfluemcflldto
eddyonfrldq.

mos—-

 

Gallery. M > ‘ '
feared buried under . - - .
mudslide ’ ‘

- Interactive: Location of village hit
in mudslide

   

 

 

Figure 7.1. A CNN report about the landslide tragedy at Barangay

Guinsaugon, Saint Bernard, Philippines.

152

 

7.2 The Problem

During tragedies, similar to what happened to Guinsaugon, the availability
of geospatial information is essential to search and rescue operations and to
assess the damage caused by the event. Such geospatial information are
currently not available for the village of Guinsaugon. Maps, satellite images, and
GIS data are present, but are stored in the offices and archives of agencies.
People who need these data most, like the local government of Saint Bernard,
have no access to them. Experts who can analyze, study, and perform modeling
on the data will have to search for these data from different sources. The value of
an information system that serves as a decision support tool by integrating
different types of data are noticed only whenever a catastrophic event like the
Guinsaugon Mudslide occurs. If such an information system is present back
before the tragedy occurred and if the available data in the system have been
used by experts in planning, Geography, Geology, Meteorology, etc., an early
warning system could have been developed and many lives would have been

spared from the mudslide.

7.3 Applying Landsat.org Philippines to the Guinsaugon Mudslide

Many residents of the Philippines, are not familiar with the location of
Barangay Guinsaugon, though many could probably locate the island of Leyte.
Barangay Guinsaugon is just a small village and is not listed in any of the
mapping services available in the lntemet. Very little is known about this village,

until after the tragedy. Using Landsat Philippines’ EasySearchT", l was able to

153

determine the location of Guinsaugon. Figure 7.2 shows results of
EasySearchTM for “guinsaugon.” Figure 7.3 shows the map of Guisaugon, Saint
Bernard. Figure 7.4 shows the available Landsat data for the area. Examining
available June 29, 1992 Landsat TM data, path 113, row 053, (Figure 7.5)
revealed that the mountain next to Guinsaugon is covered by vegetation. The
image also shows some patches of bare to grassy areas, an evidence of human
disturbance. This disturbance could have been caused by illegal logging at a
small scale and not the large scale type. A photograph taken after the mudslide
occurred showed the area surrounding the mudslide scar thickly covered with
vegetation (Figure 7.8). Ancillary data for the area is also available for
Landsat.org Philippines users. Figure 7.6 shows an elevation map based on the
SRTM and Figure 7.7 shows the 1:250,000 topographic map of the area. A post
disaster study conducted by a team of experts from the University of the
Philippines, Diliman, and Ateneo de Manila, visited the site and performed a
detailed study. One of the data used by the team of experts is the Landsat TM
data shown in Figure 7.5. The team of experts reached a conclusion of the
factors suspected to have triggered the Guinsaugon rocks/ide-debn's avalanche

are rainfall and a 2.6 magnitude earthquake (Lagmay, A. M. A. et al., 2006).

154

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Philippines 13 13 a :1 13 :1

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157

 

 

 

 

 

 

158

Figure 7.5. June 29, 1992 Landsat TM (path 113, row 053) image of Bamgay Guinsaugon.

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161

CHAPTER VIII
CONCLUSION

The open, distributed GIS data archive system (ODGISDAS) Landsat.org
Philippines is the final result of this research and can be accessed using the URL
http:/l202.90.128.189. This system answers the need to develop an ODGISDAS
that would serve GIS data users in the Philippines. The system is being hosted at
the NAMRIA (National Mapping and Resource Information Authority), Makati
City, Philippines.

Landsat.org Philippines is a ODGISDAS for Landsat data and was created
using a combination of generic and off-the-shelf technologies for GIS, web, and
database management. Though the system is designed to utilize commercial, off-
the—shelf software, the system can run independent of them or can be made to
utilize open source software to replace commercial ones.

Landsat.org Philippines is the Southeast Asian node of Landsat.org. The
system brings together Landsat data from five databases, two of which are
located locally in the Philippines and the remaining three are located overseas at
Michigan State University. The system takes advantage of recent advances in
web services technology to communicate with remote database systems. This
technology makes server to server communication easier and direct because it
utilizes ordinary HTTP post and get communications, does not require special

syntaxes, or utilize specialized ports usually closed by firewalls.

162

Landsat.org Philippines is the answers the NRC’s recommendation to
NASA for an adaptive and distributed information systems that would allow
scientists to seamlessly interact with data from different servers across the globe.
The system does this by finding and linking spatial ancillary data with every
Landsat data search performed. These ancillary data are fetched from different
map servers across the globe. To cater to the needs of local users, ancillary data
deemed important to local users are also linked to every Landsat data search.

Landsat.org Philippines enjoys some degree of independence from
Landsat.org. The system can be easily retooled, upgraded, and customized to
cater to user's needs. The system’s wordings have been translated into Tagalog,
one of the local mainstream languages in the Philippines. Translation of the
wordings to the local dialect makes the system attractive to users who are not
comfortable in using the English language. In effect, the system effectively brings
Landsat data and other geographic information to different sectors of society
through the web.

Landsat.org Philippines brings geographic information closer the people
who need them. These information are beneficial to different levels of society.
Scientists and students would benefit from understanding and learning more
about the environment. Planners and decision makers would be able to make
sound decisions on environment related issues. People, not within the mentioned
categories, would develop a better appreciation of the environment. In essence,
democratizing geographic information would pave the way for development and a

better quality of living.

163

Landsat.org Philippines is the realization of the Philippines’ NGII (National
Geographic Information Infrastructure). Many problems have stalled the
implementation of the NGII. Landsat.org Philippines is a working system that
fulfills some of the functions envisaged for the NGII. Development teams can
utilize Landsat.org Philippines’ technology to create the NGII and can take
advantage of the lesson Ieamed from creating this system.

Landsat.org Philippines embodies some of the expectations of the
National Research Council for an adaptive and distributed information systems
and fulfills the needs of the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority
for its National Geographic lnfonnation Infrastructure. An open, distributed GIS
data archive system similar to Landsat.org can be implemented easily using
generic technologies or off-the-shelf software installed on hardware with descent

computing capabilities.

164

APPENDIX A

Lists of ESIPs

165

Appendix Table A1. List of Type 2 ESlPs

 

Type 2 ESIPs

 

TRFIC - Tropical Rain Forest lnforrnation Center

 

ARIA - Arizona Regional Image Archive

 

Climate Rainfall Data Center

 

DODS - Distributed Oceanographic Data System

 

EDS-WEBSTER - WEB based System for Terrestrial Ecosystem
Research

 

ESP2net - Earth Science Partners' Private Network

 

ESSE 21 - Earth Systems Science Education 21st Century

 

ESSW - Earth System Science Workbench

 

GENESIS - GPS Environmental & Earth Science lnforrnation System

 

GLCF - Global Land Cover Facility

 

GP RESAC - Great Plains Regional Earth Science Applications Center

 

IBM Watson

 

IEF - Ecological Forecasting

 

ISCCP - International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project

 

NTSG - Numerical Terradynamic Simulation Group

 

Ocean ESIP

 

PM-ESIP - Passive Microwave Earth Science lnfonnation Partner

 

RADARSAT Geophysical Processor System

 

Scatterometer Climate Record Pathfinder

 

SERVIR

 

SIESIP - Seasonal to lnterannual Earth Science Information Partner

 

SnowHydro

 

SnowSlP

 

SW RESAC - Southwest Regional Earth Science Applications Center

 

TerraFly

 

 

 

UNIDATA

 

166

 

Appendix Table AZ. List of Type 3 ESIPs

 

z
9

Type 3 ESIPs

 

BASIC - Basic & Applied Spatial Information Collaborative

 

Border Spatial Decision Support System

 

CaISIP - California Land Science lnfonnation Partnership

 

CLEAR - Center for Land use Education And Research

 

DLESE - The Digital Library for Earth System Education

 

EDAC - Earth Data Analysis Center

 

ELIS - Environmental Legal lnforrnation Systems

 

Earth Data Discovery Consortium

 

{DQNCDO'Itth-t

The GLOBE Program

 

.3
0

Kentucky Landscape Census

 

.8
—L

MA RESAC - Mid-Atlantic Regional Earth Sciences Application Center

 

..3
N

MuTPE - Museums Teaching Planet Earth

 

.3
(A)

MY NASA DATA

 

.3
.5

NatureServe

 

..3
01

Project BD-VIEW

 

...3
O)

RITI - Reading Information Technology Inc.

 

A
N

SciFish - Scientific Fisheries Inc.

 

..3
m

SCWHC - Southern California Wildfire Hazard Center

 

.3
CD

Stonncenter Communications

 

N
0

Tactical Geographics, L.L.C

 

N
_3

TERC

 

N
N

TerraSlP

 

N
(3)

UMAC - Upper Midwest Aerospace Consortium

 

 

N
.A

 

Ven'dian, Inc.

 

167

 

 

APPENDIX B

List of Ground Receiving Stations

168

Appendix Table 31. List of ground receiving stations.

 

Country Ground Receiving Station

 

Argentina Comision Nacional de Actividades Espaciales

 

Australia GEOSCIENCE AUSTRALIA - National Mapping Division

 

 

 

Brazil Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais
Canada Canada Center for Remote Sensing
Ecuador Centro de Levantamientos Integrados de Recursos

Naturales Por Sensores Por Sensores Remotos

 

 

 

Germany German Aerospace Center
Italy European Space Agency
India Nationa Remote Sensing Agency

 

Indonesia Lembaga Penerbangan Dan Antariksa Nasional

 

 

 

Japan National Space Development Agency
Japan Hiroshima Earth Environment Information Center
Malaysia Malaysian Center for Remote Sensing

 

Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission

 

China China Remote Sensing Satellite Ground Station

 

Singapore Center for Remote Imaging, Sensing, and Processing

 

South Africa CSIR Satellite Applications Centre

 

Saudi Arabia Saudi Center for Remote Sensing

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taiwan Center for Space and Remote Sensing Research
Thailand Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development
Agency
US Puerto Rico
US USGS EROS Data Center
US University of Hawaii at Manoa

 

 

169

 

APPENDIX C

Database Schemas

170

 

 

Appendix Table C1. Landsatetm database schema.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Field Type
Entityid Varchar(50)
Path lnt(6)
Row lnt(6)
Year Varchar(4)
Month Char(2)
Day Char(2)
Date date
Yrday lnt(3)
Cloud lnt(3)
Parow VarcharQ 0)
url Varchar(255)
Loc lnt(5)
Uniqueid Varchar(50)
Archive Varchar(255)
info Varchar(255)

 

Appendix Table C2. Landsattm database schema.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Field Type
Entityid Varchar(50)
Path lnt(6)
Row lnt(6)
Year Varchar(4)
Month Char(2)
Day Char(2)
Date date
Yrday lnt(3)
Cloud lnt(3)
Parow Varchar(1 0)
url Varchar(255)
Loc lnt(5)
Uniqueid Varchar(50)
Archive Varchar(255)
info Varchar(255)

 

171

 

 

Appendix Table C3.Newetm database schema.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Field Type
unigueid Varchar(100)
Parow Va rcharfl 00)

Path lnt(1 1)

Row lnt(1 1)

Date date

Cloud lnt(1 1)
Filename Varchar(1OOL
url Varchar(255)

 

 

Appendix Table C4. Newtm database schema.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Field Type
Uniqueid Varchar(100)
Parow Va rchar(1 00)

Path lnt(1 1)

Row lnt(1 1)

Date date

Cloud lnt(1 1)
Filename Varchar(100)
url Varchar(255)

 

 

Appendix Table C5. Parowcomer2 database schema.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Field Type
objectid lnt(1 1)
WrsZpath lnt(1 1)
WrsZrow lnt(1 1)

Pa row Va rchar(1 00)
Xcoord double
Ycoord double
1x double
1y double
2x double
2y double
3x double
3y double
4x double
4y double
5x double
5y double

 

172

 

 

 

Appendix Table C6. Seaplaces database schema.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Field Type
Ycoord double
Xcoord double
Country Varchar(1 00)
Place Va rchar(1 OCD
Province Varchar(1 00)
Featdesc Varcharfl 00)

 

Appendix Table C7. Places database schema.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Field Type
Place Varchar(1 00)
Country Varchar(100)
Xcoord double
coord double

 

 

Appendix Table C8. Userinfo database schema.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Field Type

Email VarcharQO)
Customerid Varchar(5CD
Lastname Varchar(30)
F irstname Varchar(30)
Address Varchar(200)
Town Varchar(BO)
Province Varcharg30)
Zipcode Varchar(20)
Country Varchar(30)
Phone Varchar(30)
Fax Varcha1130)
Date Date
Password Varchar(20)
Datause Varchar(200)

 

 

173

 

 

 

Appendix Table C9. Userorder database schema.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Field Type
Orderno Varchar(50)
Orderdate date
Email Varchar(50)

No lnt(11)

Iniqueid VarcharLSO)

Path Varchar(1 0)

Row Varchar(1 0)

Sensor Varchar(50)

Date Varchar(50)

Customerid Varchar(50)

price Float(20,2)

Appendix Table C10. Ancillary database schema.

Field Type
detdesc varchar1250)
publisher varchar(100)
priority int(2)
service varchar(100)
path va rchar(1 0Q
querytype varchar(1 00)
version varchar(100)
descfition varchar(100)
minx Double
maxx Double
miny Double
location varchar(50)
maxy Double

 

 

174

 

 

APPENDIX D

The slope computation code imbedded in the EasySearchT" parse.asp.

175

<html>

<head>

<meta http-equiv=”Content-Type" content=‘text/html; charset=iso-8859-1“>
<title><ltitle>

<meta name="description" content='”'>

<meta name="keywords" content='"'>

<meta name="author" content="batovict@msu.edu">
<meta name="generator" content="AceHTML 5 Freeware">
<script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript">
<1...

->

</script>

</head>

<body>

<!-submits the form-->

<script>

function submit(){

document.parseform.submit();

}

</script>

<%

tempx = CDbl(request.querystring("x”))

tempy = CDbI(request.querystring("y"))

dim parowin(100000)
gencnt = 0

set objConn = Server.CreateObject( "ADODB. Connection ")

objConn.Open "dn'veI={MySQL ODBC 3.51 Driver},"'_
8. "SERVER=127.0.0.1;"_
& " DA TABASE=parowcomer2;"_
& "UID=****W;PWD=*'***§;"

StrQ = "SELECT * from parowcomer2;"
Set objRS = objConn.Execute(StrQ)
response.flush

While Not(objRS.EOF)

ind1 = lnd1 +1

x1 = objRS("1x')

y1 = objRS("1y')

x2 = objRS("2x')

y2 = objRSI'Zy'I

x3 = objRS("3x")

y3 = objRS('3y")

x4 = objRS("4x')

y4 = objRS("4y')
slope1 = (y2-y1)l(x2-x1)

176

 

slopez = (y3-y2)l(x3-x2)
slope3 = (y4-y3)l(x4-x3)
slope4 = (y1-y4)l(x1 -x4)

decide = 0

'computing for segment1 (x1,y1 and x2, y2)
seg1x = x1+((tempy-y1)lslope1)

if seg1x < tempx then

decide = decide +1

and if

'computing for segmen t2 (x2, y2 and x3,y3)
segZy = y2 + (slope2*(tempx-x2))

If segZy > tempy then

decide = decide +1

endif

'computing for segment3 (x3,y3 and x4,y4)
seg4x = x3+((tempy-y3)lslope3)

If seg4x > tempx then

decide = decide +1

endif

'computlng for segment4 (x4,y4 and x1,y1)
seg4y = y4+(slope4*(tempx-x4))

If seg4y < tempy then

decide = decide +1

and if

'getting parows that fall within the coordinates, polygons, etc.
if decide = 4 then

gencnt = gencnt + 1

parowin(gencnt) = objRS("parow')

starter = objRS('parow')

end if

objRSJIIIoveNext
Wend

objRS.close
objConn.cIose

Set objRS = Nothing
Set objConn = Nothing

if Ien(starter) = 0 then
response.end
end if

mydate = Date
mydatelength = Ien(mydate)
todayyear = right(mydate,4)
tempdate1 = Ieft(mydate,3)

177

tempdateZ = instr(tempdate1,"/")

tempdate3 = tempdate2 - 1

tempdate4 = mydatelength - (tempdate2 + 5)
tempdate5 = tempdate2 + 1

todaydate = mid(mydate,tempdate5,tempdate4)
if Ien(todaydate) = 1 then

todaydate = "0" 8: todaydate

end if

todaymonth = Ieft(mydate,tempdate3)

if Ien(todaymonth) = 1 then

todaymonth = "0" 8. todaymonth

end if

'response. wn'te "<form action="&chr(34)& ". Jgatekeeper/requestsniffer.asp "&chr(34)& "
method= "&chr(34)& "post"&chr(34)&" name= "&chr(34)& "parseform "&chr(34)&">"
response.write "<fonn action="&chr(34)& ". ./gatekeeper/gatekeeper3. asp "&chr(34)&"
method= ”&chr(34)& "post"&chr(34)& " name= "&chr(34)& "parseform "&chr(34)& ">"
response.write "<input type="&chr(34)& "hidden"&chr(34)&"

name="&chr(34)& "dummy"&chr(34)&" value="&chr(34)& "var"&chr(34)&">"
response.write "<input type="&chr(34)&"hidden"&chr(34)&"

name=”&chr(34)& "recnum "&chr(34)&" value:"&chr(34)&gencnt&chr(34)&”>"
response.write "<input type:"&chr(34)&"hidden"&chr(34)&"

name="&chr(34)& "sensor'&chr(34)&" value="&chr(34)& "both "&chr(34)&">"
response.write "<input type= "&chr(34)& "hidden”&chr(34)&"

name="&chr(34)& "fonnat"&chr(34)&" value="&chr(34)&"1"&chr(34)&">"
response.write "<input type="&chr(34)&"hidden"&chr(34)&"

name="&chr(34)& "cloud"&chr(34)&" value= "&chr(34)& "35"&chr(34)&">"

response.write "<input type="&chr(34)& "hidden"&chr(34)&"
name="&chr(34)& "bd"&chr(34)&" value="&chr(34)&"01"&chr(34)&">"
response.write "<input type="&chr(34)&"hidden"&chr(34)&"
name="&chr(34)& "bm "&chr(34)&" value="&chr(34)& "01 "&chr(34)&">"
response.write "<input type="&chr(34)&”hidden"&chr(34)&"
name="&chr(34)& "by”&chr(34)&" value= "&chr(34)& "1984 "&chr(34)&">"

response.write "<input type="&chr(34)& "hidden "&chr(34)&"
name="&chr(34)& ”ed"&chr(34)&" value="&chr(34)&todaydate&chr(34)&”>"
response.write "<input type="&chr(34)& "hidden "&chr(34)&”
name="&chr(34)&”em"&chr(34)&" value:"&chr(34)&todaymonth&chr(34)&">"
response.write "<input type="&chr(34)& "hidden "&chr(34)&"

name= "&chr(34)& "ey"&chr(34)&" value="&chr(34)&todayyear&chr(34)&">"

ind = 0

while gencnt > O

ind = ind + 1

response.write "<input type="&chr(34)&"hidden "&chr(34)&"

name="&chr(34)& "parow"&ind&chr(34)&" value= "&chr(34)&parowin(ind)&chr(34)&">"
gencnt = gencnt - 1

wend

response.write "<lfcnn>"

178

response.write "<script>submit();</script>"
°/o>

<lbody>
<lhtml>

179

APPENDIX E

The Maintenance and Implementation Plan

180

Versioning and Improvement Plan

Improvements of the Landsat.org Philippines codes regularly occur due to
feature and/or cosmetic upgrades, regular maintenance, and removal of bugs.
Though upgrading of the system is no doubt a must, the older version of the
software must be preserved on the web server and should be kept alive
(continue running). Thus, versioning is an integral part of any improvement or

upgrade. Versioning will apply to three major groups of the system, namely:

1. ArclMS group
2. Core codes group

3. Database group

The ArclMS group includes all Shapefiles, images, AXL files, map services, and
web pages generated by ArclMS. All the Shapefiles and image files necessary to
create a map service is stored on D:\newlayers. Shapefiles and image files are
reusable and not often edited. In an event a Shapefile or imagefile in the
D:\newlayers directory needs to be edited, a copy of the file, bearing a new name
will be the one edited. Any new Shapefile or image file needed by Landsat.org
Philippines may be added to the D:\newlayers directory as long as it does not

overwrite any existing file.

181

A new AXL file can be generated using different combinations and configurations
of the Shapefiles and image files. The AXL files used by the Landsat.org
Philippines are all stored in the DVnewIayers directory. An newer version of any
existing AXL file may be created by creating a copy of the old version and
naming the copy with the original name plus a suffix of the version. For example,
we have an AXL file with a name of seamap.axl already existing in the
D:\newlayers directory. A newer version will bear the name of seamapv2.axl. A
much newer version will have a name of seamapv3.axl, and so on down the line.
The idea behind versioning of the AXL file is to preserve the older version.
Though AXL files are read only when the map service is being created, their

preservation becomes important if the map service will have to be recreated.

The core codes includes the ASP, HTML, and JSP files that runs and integrates
the entire Landsat.org Philippines system. Because we want to preserve older
versions of the system, the newer version will be placed on a new physical and
virtual directory. For example, in the fist release of Landsat.org Philippines, all of
the core code files were in the C:Vnetpub\wwwroot directory, has no virtual
directory, and can be accessed on the web using http://202.90.128.189/. Version
2 was placed on C:\Inetpub\v2, has a virtual directory of v2 and can be accessed
using http://202.90.128.189/v2/index.html. Subsequent versions will follow the
same pattern as version 2. All core codes will be placed at C:\Inetpub\v3..n, will
have a virtual directory of v..n, and can be accessed using

http://202.90.128.189/v..n/index.html. Because the newer version of the core

182

 

 

codes reside in a directory different from the old one, the same file names can be
used for the core codes files without the danger of overwriting old files.
Preserving filenames helps lessen work by also preserving the references and

links to different web pages.

The database group includes all the MySQL database tables used by the
Landsat.org Philippines System. Just like the Shapefiles and image files, the
database tables are reusable by different versions of the core codes. The
database tables require very little editing. If a table will be edited or a new one
will be placed as a replacement on an old one, the new table will assume the
name of the old table plus a suffix of the version. For example, we have a table
called Iandsatetm, a newer version of this table will be named Iandsatetmv2 and
a much newer will be named Iandsatetmv..n. All the MySQL database tables are

located in C:\mysqlldata.

With every new release of Landsat.org Philippines, a back-up of the new version
will be created on CD. Files that will be backed-up includes the core codes files
(ASP, HTML, and JSP), the database tables (everything inside C:\MySQleata),
and the ArclMS group of files (everything inside D:\newlayers includes all the
Shapefiles, image files, and AXL files). Older versions of the system would have

already been backed-up when they were installed.

183

 

In order to back-up the files into CD, the group of files or the entire directory that
needs to be backed-up will be compressed into a single archive file using WinZip.
Due to the difficulty in transferring large files remotely, the big archive file will be
further broken down into small 1,200 KB chunks using the Arj Software. The
individual chunks will be transferred to a computer in CGCEO using
PCAnywhere’s file transfer utility. Once the transfer of all necessary files is
complete, the individual archive files will be reconstituted to form the bigger

archive file (using the Arj Software) and will be burned into a CD.

Security Plan

Anti-Virus - As a standard security measure Norton Anti-Virus and Blacklce
Defender firewall was installed on the server. The anti-virus protection of the
server is sufficient, as of now. The virus definition file of the anti-virus will be
updated every Friday of the week. Updating is done by clicking on the “Live
Update" button on the Norton Anti-Virus console. Norton will automatically
download the updates from Symantec’s website. Updating of the definition file
will be done every Friday because the latest virus definition file is released every
Thursday. Although the Norton Anti-Virus Software is satisfactorily performing its
task, a new license for the anti-virus is needed. The currently installed Norton
Anti-Virus is licensed to MSU and used to be freely available to students and

staff.

184

 

 

Firewall - The firewall Blacklce Defender is also performing satisfactorily on the
server. The firewall was also able to catch activities/viruses such as “CodeWorm”
and saved it as an event file. Every now and then, an update of Blacklce
Defender is released by its manufacturer. On the event of an update release, the
updates will be downloaded and installed on the server. Just like the anti-virus
software a firewall licensed to the server is needed. Blacklce Defender seemed
to be performing satisfactorily, but a better firewall can surely be used to take

advantage of its more advanced features.

Microsoft Update - Every now and then, Microsoft Corporation releases updates
and patches for its Windows“ operating system. Weekly checks to the Microsoft
update website will be done and necessary updates will be downloaded and

installed.

Services and Ports - The default installation of the Windows 2000 Server has
many unnecessary services turned “on,” by default. Disabling or turning “off” of
these unnecessary services will prevent them from being used or exploited by
hackers to gain access to the server. Closing of ports not needed to run
Landsat.org Philippines will also be done as these ports may server as “bridge”
for hackers to exploit and access the server.

By default, the firewall that has been installed, Blacklce Defender, closes all ports

and disables all services for all lPs (internet protocol) addresses. Ports and

185

 

services necessary to run and gain access to Landsat.org have been opened

and tumed-on on the firewall’s configuration.

ArclMS Configuration - The default installation of ArclMS includes an HTML
administrator webpage that can be accessed via the World Wide Web. This
webpage can be utilized by hackers to access ArclMS and modify the
configurations on the server. This HTML administrator webpage has been
disabled by removing its virtual directory from the virtual directory’s listings on

Windows’s Internet Information Services.

Also, by default, ArclMS enables directory browsing on the c:\ArcIMS
subdirectories. Enabling directory browsing for webpage directories is not a good
practice because it allows the users and potential hackers to see the directories
and files. These information, complimented with other information and hacking

techniques, could be used to gain unauthorized access to the server.

MySQL Security — The MySQL database, when installed, does not automatically
configure itself like Microsoft’s IIS (Internet Information Services). Access to
“root” and the databases will have to be configured manually, othenlvise they
cannot be accessed at all. This kind of non-automatic configuration that MySQL
has ensures that unnecessary services and permission are not tumed-on, by
default and provides more security control for the “root” user or administrator.

MySQL has been setup such that “root” access is limited to the Iocalhost. The

186

 

database tables of MySQL cannot be edited by the ordinary user when accessed
by the Landsat.org program. Database table access via Landsat.org is limited to

query and selection, except for the tables required by the shopping cart.

Files and Directory Browsing - To ensure that the codes, files, and directories
are safe from being accidentally exposed to users, all webpage directories were

set such that they cannot be browsed by the user.

Shopping Cart Security — So that the shopping cart cannot be abused by
curious users, the shopping cart utilizes “POST" to send information, rather than
“GET.” Also, the shopping cart cannot be run or activated by just typing the ASP
file on the browser. The shopping cart gets the “session” value from the previous
page. If the shopping cart does not find the session value, it does not run. This
feature prevents the shopping cart from being activated without a valid shopping
session and the database from being ruined and abused by users who just want

to put spurious entries.

Long-term security plan - The long-term security plan is to put the server

behind a hardware firewall. A hardware firewall will provide better protection in

conjunction with the software firewall.

187

 

Operation and Monitoring Plan

Anti-virus log - The anti-virus log will be examined to see if there is any virus
attack on the server. If a virus is found on the server, the file will be cleaned or
deleted. Caution will be taken when deleting files because these files could be

necessary in the operation of the server.

Firewall logs — The firewall log will be examined to identify attacks from hackers.
Hackers may use automated techniques to gain access to the server and the
number of times attempted to access the server gets log into the firewall. A
typical attack would show several failed access attempt from an IP address.
Once the IP address of an attacker is identified, it will be added to the blocked IP

list of the firewall.

Recovery Plan

In the event that the server gets compromised (hacked) the following steps or a

combination of the following steps will be taken:

1. Examine the Windows log files, which can be found at

c:\winnsystem32\logfiles. Among the series of log files, identify the IP

address the hacker is using to get into the server. Identifying which IP

188

 

 

address to block requires examining each entry in a log file. Usually, a
hacker trying to access the server would have made a series of previous
failed attempts. These attempts are registered in the log files and are
easily identifiable because they are a series of requests originating from
one IP. Once you have identified the IP, also take note of the port the
hacker used to get into the server. On the firewall settings, block the IP
and close the port the hacker used to gain access to the server.

. Examine the firewall log file. If the Windows log files have been examined
before and the IP and the port number the hacker is using have been
identified, compare these values with the entries on the firewall log file.
Block the suspected IP and close the port/s that is being used, if closing
would not affect the operation of the server.

. If the server needs rebuilding, the backup files of the site will be used to
restore the server. The IP address used by the hacker will be entered into
the block list of the firewall. The port of entry used will also be closed, if it
would not hamper the operation of the server. The domain of the hacker
will be determined by using the Network Tools website

(http://www.nwtools.com) and an email about the abuse will be sent to the

 

administrator of the domain (abuse@domainname.com).

189

 

Hardware Operation and Improvement

The server will inevitably deteriorate through time and will have to be repaired or
replaced. Continuous backup of files will be done on the server, through another
server connected to the network. The backup files will be used in rebuilding the

new server, if the old one needs replacement.

UPS

An uninterrupted power supply (UPS) is needed to keep the server running
during times of power fluctuations. Right now, because of the absence of a UPS,
the server is shut down if a power fluctuation occurs to prevent it from being
damaged. Powering down the server will surely prevent damage, but will make

the Landsat.org Philippines site unavailable from that time being.

190

 

 

APPENDIX F

The Training Program

191

 

AGENDA

Web-enabled, Geo-spatial Data Systems and Services
Implementing a Decision Supports System Application at NAMRIA

January 4 - 6 8.10 - 12, 2005

Victor Bato
Dept. of Geography, Michigan State University
APN Project 2004-04 CMY

 

Jan. 4, 2005 Presentation of System
(morning) Application Overview

Bobby Crisostomo and Dept. staff

 

Jan. 4 - 6, 2005 Software Installation
Installation and testing

Technical staff from Systems
Development and Programming
Division and Database
Management Division

 

Jan. 10, 2005 Training (l)

9:00 — 12:00 Overview and system
requirements
Installation

Technical staff from Systems
Development and Programming
Division and Database
Management Division

 

Jan. 11, 2005 Training (II)
9:00 - 12:00 Operation
Customization

Technical staff from Systems
Development and Programming
Division and Database
Management Division

 

Jan. 12, 2005 Training (III)

 

9:00 - 11:00 Maintenance and development Technical staff from Systems
Development and Programming
Division and Database
Management Division

Jan. 12, 2005 Formal Presentation to

(afternoon) Management Upper level management

w/Bobby Crisostomo

 

192

A first-run installation may occur in December in order to ensure a successful
final application. A formal installation with NAMRIA technical staff will be
completed January 4 — 6, 2005.

193

 

 

APPENDIX G

The Training Pictures

194

 

 

 

 

 

 

I
I. Jill Ill EUES

ll

 

 

Figure 62. Training conducted at NAMRIA, Philippines.

195

 

   

.53;

«‘1‘
5'3
j?
1"

    

Jun Ill anus

'ii

 

 

 

 

 

-'.‘.1w'"'

 

 

 

 

Figure G4. Training conducted at NAMRIA, Philippines.

196

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure G6. Training conducted at NAMRIA, Philippines.

197

 

APPENDIX H

List of Acronyms

198

 

ArclMS — Arc lntemet Map Server

ASCII - American Standard Code for Information Interchange
ASF — Alaska Satellite Facility

ASP - Active Server Pages

BSRSI — Basic Science and Remote Sensing Initiative

CAN — Cooperative Agreement Notice

CD - Compact Disc

CGCEO - Center for Global Change and Earth Observations
CNN - Cable News Corporation

DAAC — Distributed Active Archive Centers

DOI — Department of the Interior

ECS — EOSDIS Core System

EDC — Eros Data Center

EOS — Earth Observing Systems

EOSDIS - Earth Observing System Data and Information System
ESDIS - Earth Science Data and lnforrnation

ESRI - Environmental Systems Research Institute

EROS - Earth Resources Observation Systems

ERTS 1 - Earth Resource Technology Satellite 1

ESE — Earth Science Enterprise

ESIP — Federation of Earth Science Information Partners
GES — GSFC Earth Science

GHRC — Global Hydrology Resource Center

199

GIS - Geographic Information Systems

GML - Geography Markup Language

GOES - Global Observatory for Ecosystem Services
GSFC - Goddard Space Flight Center

HTML — Hypertext Transport Language

IMS - Information Management System

IIS - lntemet Information Services

JPEG — Joint Photographic Experts Group

Landsat ETM+ - Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus
Landsat TM - Landsat Thematic Mapper

LaRC - NASA Langley Atmospheric Sciences Data Center
LP — Land Processes

MPAA - Motion Picture Association of America

NAMRIA - National Mapping and Resource lnforrnation Authority
NASA — National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NGII - National Geographic Information Infrastructure
NRC - National Research Council

NSDI — National Spatial Data Infrastructure

NSIDC - National Snow and Ice Data Center

OASIS — Organization for the Advancement of Structured lnforrnation Standards
ODBC - Open Database Connectivity

ODGISDAS — Open, Distributed GIS Data Archive System

OGC — Open GIS Consortium (Open Geospatial Consortium)

200

ORNL — Oak Ridge National Laboratory

PAGASA - Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services
Administration

PC - Personal Computer

PHIVOLCS - Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology

PO — Physical Oceanography

REASoN - Research, Education and Applications Solution Network

RIAA — Recording Industry Association of America

SEDAC — Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center

SEEDS — Strategic Evolution of ESE Data System

SOAP — Simple Object Access Protocol

SQL - Standard Query Language

SRTM — Shuttle Radar Topography Mission

TRFIC - Tropical Rain Forest Information Center

UDDI - Universal Description, Discovery, and Integration

UK — United Kingdom

URL - Universal Resource Locator

US - United States

USA — United State of America

USGS - United States Geological Survey

W30 - World Wide Web Consortium

WGSB4 — World Geodetic System 1984

WSDL — Web Services Description Language

201

WRS1 - Worldwide Reference System 1
WRSZ - Worldwide Reference System 2
WWW - World Wide Web

XML — Extensible Markup Language

202

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