MapAction has published the first edition of its Field Guide to Humanitarian Mapping. The guide, which is downloadable free, will help aid organisations to use geospatial tools and methods in their work in emergencies. There are tutorials for Google Earth and open-source GIS software. Click here to access the guide.

The guide was written to meet the need for practical, step-by-step advice for aid workers who wish to use free and open-source resources to produce maps both at field and headquarters levels. The first edition contains an introduction to the topic of GIS, followed by chapters focused on the use of two recommended free software tools: Google Earth, and MapWindow. However much of the guidance is also relevant for users of other software. In addition there is a chapter on using GPS to collect data during humanitarian emergencies.

The principal author of the guide, MapAction team member Naomi Morris, commented: "We will be trialing the first edition during a three-month mission to Papua New Guinea in which we will show local organisations how to use these methods for disaster risk reduction mapping. More widely, we will welcome input from all our humanitarian organisations and a second edition of the guide will be issued later this year."

The guide is available free as a PDF download (118 A5-sized pages) from our Resources page or by clicking here. In case of difficulty contact

info@mapaction.org

This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

and a copy can be emailed. We also welcome user feedback and suggestions for content to be included in the next edition.

Production of the guide was funded by the Dulverton Trust.

http://www.mapaction.org/content/view/183/59/

There is a very simple program that could meet your mapping needs.
It is called OziExplorer, www.oziexplorer.com.

1. You can download waypoints and tracks from most handheld gps receivers(field collection) and placed on a map.
2. The waypoints can be exported as ESRI point files(.shp)
3. The tracks can be exported as ESRI polylines(.shp) or polygons(.shp) and be used with AutoCad, MapInfo, ArcView etc.
4. Can import up to 75 layers of Esri shape files(.shp), MapInfo .mif files, MapGen vector files, ArcInfo E00 files. All the above files can be converted to waypoints and tracks and loaded into a handheld gps receiver for field work. Will import data from a spread sheet. Will export data to text file.
5. The program will import Geotiffs and Ortho photos or satellite images in .ecw or MrSid format, other formats can be converted to be used with the program by Spectrum Digital Imaging.
6. The program will export tracks and waypoints to be viewed in Google Earth.
7. You can do area calculations and lay custom grids on the maps.
8. The program has excellent printing capabilities. Window to fit page, Window to scale, Cropped to fit page, Cropped to scale, Map to fit page(s), Map to Scale.
9. You can associate a document or a image with a waypoint.
10. You can use the program as a moving map display.
11. You can create routes.
12. You can convert waypoints and points to be used in  the programs name search data base to pin point a position on a map.

The program is very easy to learn and does not require a GIS degree.

Price $129.95 Can.

Micro Associates provides some free innovative Mapping Tools which help in local resource mapping and data to map interface.

It informs about simple and user friendly Mapping tools for Development practitioners, NGOs, Institutions and Researchers.

Download and Details available at:
http://www.micromict.net/jidnyasa/buyevalvation.asp ; and http://www.micromict.net/jidnyasa/