On May 24th, we opened up a GeoStor survey (https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VCTLX9F) to gauge your current usage and your future needs regarding GeoStor.  In the past month, we have received 57 responses — it is still open and please feel free to take the survey if you have not already done so — and we would like to let you know the current results and answer a few of your questions.

Question 1:  How would you rate your GIS experience level?

• Expert:  42.11%
• Average: 52.63%
• Novice: 5.26%

This range of expertise is in line with our expectations regarding those filling out this survey.  However, this is not indicative of those using GeoStor.  For instance, many “novice” users do not subscribe to the listserve, follow us on twitter, etc.  Therefore, many “novice” users did not know about the survey.  The AGIO will keep this in mind during the upgrade process.

Question 2:  Which Software Packages do you use…

• Esri-55
• MapInfo- 1
• Microstation- 3
• GeoMedia- 2
• AutoCAD- 7
• Google Maps/ Earth- 19
• Open-source Web- 5
• Open-source Desktop- 13

Question 3:  How often do you visit the GeoStor website?

• 1 to 25 times per year- 55.36%
• 26-50 times per year- 35.71%
• I am addicted to GeoStor (50+)- 8.93%

We are trying our best to make sure more people fall in the third category…

Question 4:  I need the ability to… (Ranked on a scale of 1-5 in order of need)

• Clip/Zip/Ship – 4.12 out of 5
• FTP- 3.98 out of 5
• Data sent to email- 3.93 out of 5
• Web Services- 3.82 out of 5
• Project data- 3.70 out of 5

According to these results, the majority of the 57 respondents strongly want clip/zip/ship and FTP as the preferred method of getting data from GeoStor.

Question 5:  Do you currently use GeoStor’s web services?

• Yes- 54.39%
• No- 35.09%
• GeoStor has web services- 10.53%

We were pleased to see that so many of the 57 respondents currently use web services.  While these services are basic right now, the upgrade plans for GeoStor include more functionality and new services.

Question 6:   Please rank the following possible download options for GeoStor.

• Option 1- Current system of clip/zip/ship -> E-mail- 2.5 out of 3
• Option 2- Current system with desktop download option- 1.88 out of 3
• Option 3- I don’t care as long as I get the data- 1.63 out of 3

We are currently testing the ability for the user to request data results via e-mail or desktop.  In these tests, e-mail is still preferable for larger files, but for smaller ones the desktop download works well.

Question 7:   True of False: I would rather connect to GeoStor through Web Services rather than request a download.

•  True-  38.6%
•  False- 35.09%
•  I do not care- 26.32%

As mentioned above, a lot of enhancements to the Web Services are in the works and much more functionality is on the way.  Both methods will remain after the GeoStor upgrade, but the AGIO is trying to get a feel for which options will be used in the future in order to select the new backend architecture, software, etc.

Question 8:  I would like to see GeoStor implement more open-source technology and features.

• True- 45.61%
• False- 3.51%
• I do not care- 50.88%

In order to better serve the growing use of open-source technologies and to offer more services in a budget friendly manner, the AGIO is looking into a wide array of possible open-source solutions and services.  

Question 9: Comments
There were some great comments from the 57 respondents.  Some of them are worth mentioning/ answering since many of you may have the same questions.

A) Historic Maps-  One respondent raised the question of an historic maps layer.  There are currently download options on GeoStor for Historic Maps from the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department  (http://www.geostor.arkansas.gov/G6/Home.html?id=ec5d9617d40f206dfdd7a45e1028acb6) and General Land Office Plats (http://www.geostor.arkansas.gov/G6/Home.html?q=GLO) thanks to the Commissioner of State Lands Office and the work of the folks at the University of Arkansas at Monticello.  The AGIO is also developing a substantial data archival plan to make sure that digital snapshots of the state’s GIS data are preserved for future generations needing historical data from our current digital age.  These are just a few historic map initiatives underway, but if you have any questions or suggestions, please let us know.

B) “Develop a site optimized for mobile devices.”
Responsive web design for mobile devices will be a feature in the GeoStor upgrade. Shelby Johnson will be all the beta testing we need on this component…

C) “Design a site with an increased emphasis on ‘information’ sharing as well as data sharing.”
This will be one of the main goals of the GeoStor upgrade.  All of the GeoStor frontend code, files, and even the search database will be available in a public repository on GitHub.  GeoStor will also have a built in blog and relevant information for the state’s GIS community will be on the front-page.  In short, information sharing will be a substantial component to the new GeoStor.

D) “Make it faster”
We are working on this one…

E) “A larger, longer lasting thumbnail screen”
Thumbnails will have a completely different look, will be more aesthetically pleasing, and give you a better idea of what data you are downloading.

F) “Can you wait 3 years [to upgrade GeoStor], I’ll be retired by then!! lol”
We could, but what is the fun in that? haha

Thank you for taking the time to fill out the survey.  If you haven’t completed the survey, please take a moment to do so.  We are listening and your comments, ideas, questions, limericks, etc and they are vital in determining future GeoStor enhancements.  GeoStor exists to provide you with information and data, so let us know what you want.  If you would like to make direct comments regarding this subject, shoot us an e-mail at GeoStor@Arkansas.gov.