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| Subject: | Re: GISList: GIS Data Depot download limits |
| Date: |
06/10/2002 07:58:40 AM |
| From: |
Glenn Letham |
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Thanks for the words Dimitri,
I might also add that because the DEM data is in "limited" supply and only
served up by several data providers, that data is excluded from the premium
account access and is freely downloadable without the need for registration
etc....
regards
Glenn
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dimitri Rotow" <dar@manifold.net>
To: <gislist@geocomm.com>
Cc: <bduff@usgs.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, June 04, 2002 3:12 PM
Subject: RE: GISList: GIS Data Depot download limits
>
> >
> > Chris "Tired of paying for data I've already paid for with my taxes"
> > Weaver
> >
>
> An understandable sentiment, but don't slam Geocomm because Uncle Sam is
> ripping you off. The problem is not that Geocomm operates their site
> sensibly, like any good business should, the problem is dumb policies at
> USGS that end up denying public access to public data so that those who do
> not wish to use a commercial service don't have other options.
>
> There is nothing wrong with Geocomm charging for the convenience of
finding
> lots of cool data at a single site, being able to have it written to CD,
> etc. We're very lucky to have Geocomm as a resource and I for one hope
the
> site continues to thrive. As much as I like to get data for free, I also
> value my time and convenience enough to appreciate Geocomm's service.
> Obviously, many people feel the same way because the site continues to
grow
> and develop greater presence in GIS.
>
> In most cases, the Geocomm data is available at other sites at no charge.
A
> problem only arises if Geocomm or similar commercial sites are the only
way
> to get to public data provided by USGS. However, that's not Geocomm's
> fault, it is USGS's fault for denying public access to public data. It's
a
> little like yelling at your local copy shop for charging a copying fee to
> make copies of tax forms because your state or federal governments are too
> inept to provide enough copies for people to use. The problem is
ineptness
> on the government's side and not the service provided by a commercial
vendor
> who is helping you out.
>
> In terms of exclusivity I think the main data at issue are the SDTS DEMS,
> which were pulled off the USGS site and provided to Geocomm in an
> effectively exclusive deal about a year ago. Since then, USGS has denied
> applications (such as ours) to provide totally free access to that data.
> Instead, they have provided it only to another commercial site. I think
> it's very wrong that USGS embarked on a de facto privatization of public
> data, but I sure don't blame Geocomm for the decisions that USGS made. At
> least with Geocomm distributing the data there is *some* way to get it.
>
> If you don't like it that USGS has shafted you, contact the person who is
> said by USGS to be in charge of the shafting:
>
> Beth L. Duff
> USGS, National Mapping, Business Development
> 12201 Sunrise Valley Dr., MS508, Reston, VA 20192
> 703-648-4621, 703-648-5939 (fax), bduff@usgs.gov
>
> Send Beth an email or call her up on the telephone and ask her when she
will
> provide the SDTS data sets for public distribution by people who want to
> host free access sites. The last few times we've sent them a proposal
they
> disappeared.
>
> Our proposal is very simple: If USGS allows us access to those SDTS DEMS
> we'll make a disk image and place it on our servers for free download by
any
> webmaster who wants to host a mirror site. What we are most interested is
> in breaking the bandwidth logjam. Because of the artificial scarcity
> induced by the ineptly sudden withdrawal of SDTS DEMS from the USGS
website,
> any one website that offers them for free at a reasonable transfer rate
will
> be rapidly overloaded. Geocomm's efforts to provide a public service for
> free are a good case in point. As long as USGS artificially withholds
the
> data to keep it scarce, it doesn't make sense for any single organization
to
> stand up and have their business shot in the head by peak demands.
>
> The obvious solution is to provide multiple download sites for SDTS DEMS.
> There are numerous universities, businesses and state GIS web sites who
> would be pleased to provide download sites for SDTS DEMS for their
regions.
> The prob
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