tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454280407750835604.post3542976667658634721..comments2008-05-07T23:21:22.984-07:00Dan Shoutisnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454280407750835604.post-62626192252214815392008-05-07T23:21:00.000-07:002008-05-07T23:21:00.000-07:00Why not let the users decide what file format they want to use, in all cases?<BR/><BR/>That's the approach we're taking with Koordinates (http://koordinates.com).<BR/><BR/>Because mapping crosses many professional boundaries where the end-uses of the data can be divergent, map data can (and will continue to be) stored in a variety of file formats. So the active sharers and more passive users really need better translation tools. Both sides of the sharing experience can then create/use the data in their professional software of choice.<BR/><BR/>By the way, I fully agree with the division of geodata sharing into two broad categories of publication (one to many) and collaboration (some to some, in a permissions-controlled environment). However, both are tightly intertwined, and to a degree the present method of "publishing" geodata as distinct products at specific points in time is driven by the lack of any other way of doing things (ie - the lack of iterative and quick collaboration tools for professional mappers and their customers).Ed Corkeryhttp://koordinates.comnoreply@blogger.com