Re: Not Geography

"In case you are lost with that distinction, geometric data types are based
on a flat 2D graph to locate a point, line, rectangle, polygon etc"

Yes - this is what I am interested in with the eventual potential of 3D.

Bob

----- Original Message -----
From: "Shane Ambler" <pgsql(at)Sheeky(dot)Biz>
To: "Bob Pawley" <rjpawley(at)shaw(dot)ca>
Cc: "Obe, Regina" <robe(dot)dnd(at)cityofboston(dot)gov>; "PostgreSQL"
<pgsql-general(at)postgresql(dot)org>
Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 2:09 AM
Subject: Re: [GENERAL] Not Geography

> Bob Pawley wrote:
>> [GENERAL] Not GeographyI have PostgreSQL, c/w the geometry
>> attachment, installed on Win XP. I need to get started using it. I am
>> best able to do that by example, however a simple (geometry for
>> dummies) description or a tool would also help.
>
> Are you wanting to use the geometric data types that are included in
> postgresql or full GIS types that are added by postgis?
>
> If you are working with basic geometry instead of geographic data then
> this may be somewhat simpler for you.
>
> In case you are lost with that distinction, geometric data types are based
> on a flat 2D graph to locate a point, line, rectangle, polygon etc
>
> GIS data gets a bit more complex as it accounts for distortions from the
> graph being stretched around the roughly circular earth. There are also
> several different ways to calculate these distortions and postgis will
> translate between them. As well as layering different data and help
> deciding what data is viewable at what zoom levels etc.
>
> postgis is normally only used for geographic data but can be more widely
> applied. postgis can also handle 3D data if that is what you are
> interested in.
>
>
>> I am on the Postgis list but everyone there seems to be so
>> geographically oriented that I wanted to query a larger audience.
>>
>> Bob
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: Obe, Regina To: Bob Pawley ;
>> PostgreSQL Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:50 AM Subject: RE:
>> [GENERAL] Not Geography
>>
>>
>>> I have Postgresql database that I would like to link to the
>>> geometry side of Postgis. (This has little comparison to geography)
>>>
>>
>>> Does anyone know of a tool or documentation that could get me
>>> started??
>>
>>> Bob
>>
>> Bob, I don't quite understand your question. Are you not sure how to
>> install PostGIS, how to integrate it in your existing datbase, or
>> once you install how to get started using it? How to do it depends
>> on the operating system you are using. Once you have it installed
>> you may want to join the Postgis newsgroup for further help
>>
>> http://postgis.refractions.net/mailman/listinfo/postgis-users
>>
>>
>> Hope that helps, Regina
>>
>
>
> --
>
> Shane Ambler
> pgSQL (at) Sheeky (dot) Biz
>
> Get Sheeky @ http://Sheeky.Biz