One very simple way to use MassGIS Web Mapping Services is to add layers in the WMS (web map service) to your desktop while you are using some GIS software, such as ArcMap, QGIS, Google Earth, etc. The WMS layers are just waiting for you to grab them and use them, you don't need to download a shapefile first. Depending on the GIS program (client) used, you can connect to GeoServer WMS, or ArcIMS mapservices. GeoServer is recommended as the most likely to provide good results. Each GIS program might work a little differently. Please feel free to add your experiences below. A Google search for “WMS Client” will turn up many software application that can add WMS layers, mixing and matching data from different servers. The GeoServer web page has a good list of WMS/WFS clients. Some that MassGIS has tried are listed below, with information on how to connect to the MassGIS web mapping service, and our user experience.

NOTE: Since MassGIS has limited time to test these applications the information about each is not comprehensive but focuses on how to connect to MassGIS WMS/WFS services. Please feel free to edit this page to correct any inaccuracies or add more information about the clients.

Information about some WMS/WFS clients on this page as a spreadsheet: Aleda's Quick Survey - Excel spreadsheet MATRIX of functionality

Information about open source desktop GIS (most are WMS/WFS clients) on this page as a HTML or Word Doc: **Stefan Steiniger's open source GIS Desktop Clients

• Version Tested: 1.3.0
• Date Tested: 11/23/2009
• webpage
• download
• user guide
• Instructions to connect to MassGIS WMS/WFS
• Quick Take:
  • Pros:
    • free
    • open source
    • good editing tools
    • enormous amount of data manipulation tools
    • connects well to MassGIS WMS and WFS
    • data can be seen in tabular format
    • can edit shapefiles
    • seems fast
    • MassGIS GeoServer 1.7.6 in the default WMS list
  • Cons:
    • no geocoding

• Company: Refractions
• Version Tested: 1.1.1
• Date Tested: 8/26/2009
• webpage
• Instructions to connect to MassGIS WMS/WFS
• OGC Tutorial
• Quick Take:
  • Pros:
    • free
    • open source
    • seems fast
    • data can be seen in tabular format
    • can see SLD as file from created symbology
    • can edit shapefiles
    • can address match
  • Cons:
    • can't create some types of basic SLD from the UI

• Company: The Carbon Project
• web page
• Windows Vista or 7 required
• Connects well to MassGIS WFS as reported on web

• Company: The Carbon Project
• Version Tested: 3.4.0
• Date Tested: 8/26/2009
• web page
• download
• user guide
• Instructions to connect to MassGIS WMS/WFS
• Quick Take:
  • Pros:
    • free
    • MassGIS Web Mapping Services preset
    • Seemed fast
    • Can change data symbolization with WFS
    • can add notes to map
    • can add variety of data
    • extenders (add-ons) available for GPS, editing, other functions
  • Cons:
    • no address matching

• Company: Google
• Version Tested: 5.1
• Date Tested: 8/26/2009
• web page
• download
• user guide
• Instructions to connect to MassGIS WMS/WFS
• Alternate instructions to pick a layer for Google Earth
• Quick Take:
  • Pros:
    • free (some higher functionality versions can be purchased)
    • great navigational tools
    • ability to add different services/data
    • address matching
  • Cons:
    • cannot edit shapefiles (at least in free version)

• Company: ESRI
• Version Tested: 900
• Date Tested: 8/26/2009
• web page
• download
• user guide
• Instructions to connect to MassGIS WMS/WFS
• Quick Take:
  • Pros:
    • free
    • address matching
    • can add notes to map
    • can add variety of data
  • Cons:
    • seemed slow
    • Can't add WFS (so can't change data symbology)
    • I didn't see identify on features for WMS
    • cannot edit shapefiles

• Company: ESRI
• Version Tested: 9.3
• webpage
• Instructions to connect to MassGIS WMS/WFS with ArcMap with the interface
• Instructions to connect to MassGIS WMS progammatically
• Quick Take:
  • Pros:
    • heavy-duty GIS client
    • can connect to many data types
    • complex symbology available
  • Cons:
    • not free

• Organization: Government of Valencia, Spain
• Version Tested: 1.9
• Date Tested: 12/2009
• web page
• user guide
• Instructions to connect to MassGIS WMS/WFS
• Quick Take:
  • Pros:
    • free
    • WMS works
  • Cons:
    • WFS problematic

• Organization: Refractions Research
• Version Tested: Beta 2.0.1
• Date Tested: 2/2010
• web page
• Instructions to connect to MassGIS WMS/WFS
• Quick Take:
  • Pros:
    • free

Cons:

• no identify
• need to create a small config file for each layer you want to add

• Company: NASA
• Version Tested: 1.4.0
• web page
• Instructions to connect to MassGIS WMS/WFS
• Quick Take:
  • Pros:
    • free
  • Cons:

• Company: Vivid Solutions
• Version Tested: 1.3.1
• Date Tested: 12/15/2009
• webpage
• download
• user guide
• Instructions to connect to MassGIS WMS/WFS
• Quick Take:
  • Pros:
    • free
    • open source
    • good editing tools
    • can edit shapefiles
    • data can be seen in tabular format
  • Cons:
    • no geocoding
    • I was not able to successfully connect to MassGIS WMS/WFS

• Version Tested: 4.7
• Date Tested: 11/25/2009
• webpage
• download
• user guide
• book
• Instructions to connect to MassGIS WMS/WFS
• Quick Take:
  • Pros:
    • free
    • open source
    • good editing tools
    • can read MANY data formats
    • can edit shapefiles and other data manipulation tools
    • can address match (uses Google)
  • Cons:
    • neither 4.6 or 4.7RC3 was able to successfully draw the MassGIS WMS or WFS data

• I just want to browse a map (connect to MassGIS WMS layers)

Try: Gaia, uDIG, MapWindow

• I want to create my own data (shapefiles)

Try: uDIG, MapWindow, QGIS

• I want to zoom to an address (one address)

Try: uDIG