1.1. Starting the GeoViewer

The IONIC GeoViewer is a thin web client designed to view and manipulate data exported by OpenGIS/ISO services. The GeoViewer allows you to create maps composed of WMS, WFS and WCS layers. It transparently handles image formats, service versions, SRS and offers value-added tools such as Gazetteer, layer discovery or annotations. The GeoViewer exposes its functionalities as a set of widgets which are small JSP-based pop-up windows designed to achieve a particular task, for instance changing the map scale or quickly navigate to a given area. When invoked through its icon, a widget appears as a pop-up window that closes itself once its function is performed.

The GeoViewer consists of a web application intended to be used within a web browser. Since the GeoViewer is highly interactive, it requires a modern browser able to interpret Javascript and equipped with a Java2 compatible plugin. Please refer to the Miscellaneous Tools section for more information on the needed Java plugin.

To use the GeoViewer, please request the application URL to your system administrator (the person who installed the GeoViewer) and point your browser to this URL. Many users can share the same GeoViewer instance since each user has its own context within its HTTP session. After a small delay due to the default context instantiation, you should see the GeoViewer user interface as in the following screenshot: