Obtaining Products and Services

The Respond map catalogue has undergone a complete overhaul, and now possesses enhanced functionality allowing users more flexibility about how they wish to view their mapping products and services. All Stage 2 Phase 1 mapping is currently being prepared for loading and will very soon be online.

The following options currently exist to access Respond mapping products:

  • kml catalogue into Google Earth - The whole kml map catalogue can be opened straight into Google Earth, allowing users the option to view (where available) kml overlay files of Respond products. This allows an overlay of all such maps to be shown relative to their geographic location. The Respond team is currently in the process of ensuring that all existing map entries within the map catalogue have a Google Earth overlay. Future map entries will automatically have kml overlay for Google Earth, as functionality has been built into the map upload application. Clicking on an individual entry allows the user to either download a high, medium or low resolution mapsheet of their product of interest, or access GIS vector layers directly from the Respond website.

  • Text or World Map Searches - Searches may be performed either via textual input or via an interactive world map. The map catalogue currently has 330 map entries, although this is being updated continuously. Advanced searches then click advanced search may be performed on any field within the metadata (such as country, region, theme, product type, producer, date, charter used etc) allowing the user to perform powerful searches and narrow down the map entries of most relevance to their application.

  • Individual Google Earth Overlay files - Google Earth overlay files are also available on some individual map entries (the following is an example). By clicking on these entries a user can open a low resolution mapsheet directly into Google Earth, showing very easily the geographical location of the mapsheet. Options exist as above to download a high, medium or low resolution mapsheet of this map entry.  The Respond team is currently creating kml overlay files for all existing map entries.

  • RSS feed - An RSS feed has been available providing the user with details of the last 20 published maps. This allows the user to subscribe to this feed and be alerted to the presence of new maps on the Respond website. The user can configure how they wish to view the content.

  • GeoRSS feed - This RSS feed also contains Geo tags that allow these 20 maps to be outlined on a map. Currently this is viewed through a third party Geo RSS reader, although developments currently being investigated include taking the GeoRSS feed from the Respond site and integrating it with Google Maps. This will allow the user to easily view the last 20 maps within the Respond browser. It will also be possible to view the kml catalogue through interface, allowing users a quick and easy method for viewing the catalogue, without launching additional applications like Google Earth.

  • Last 20 maps on home page - The last 20 maps are also available for viewing directly through the front page. This allows users to easily access recently published maps. More detailed searches require the user to access the full catalogue and use one of the search facilities.

  • GIS vector layers - For more advanced users, it will be possible in the near future to download vector GIS layers into Google Earth. Users will be required to agree to a consortium licence agreement. This is viewable either upon download or via the map catalogue menu as a pdf for printing or storing. The consortium is currently in the process of creating vector kml layers for existing maps entries, and future map entries will have this included as standard. Where such layers currently do not exist, and users have a specific requirement, they have the option of contacting the Respond consortium and requesting these layers. 

  • Other Online mapping portals - Respond maps are also available on the following online mapping portals.
The Respond consortium - click here for more information