----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Maps and Air Photo Systems Forum: Reference Dr. Marble email which follows. Yes, we did forget to address the follow-on question in our run-down of the GEOname Digital Gazetteer and its data: "What about maintenance of the data?' The source database is maintained by the Government on a day-to-day basis. We purchased one snapshot of the data in February 1995 to build this initial product. At approximately annual intervals, we will obtain a then current copy of the data and release a new version of the CD. The later CDs will include upgraded data query, display, and export software. We sell the subsequent annual updates at a considerably reduced price, after purchase of an initial CD. Our goal is to provide a long term subscription-like service for users who need reasonably current data. (The data would be approximately as current as the US Government maintains for its own use.) There is nothing to preclude someone from buying one copy every few years. In either case, a user would be better off with GEOname than using the hardcopy gazetteers, some of which date back forty years. Dr. Marble's additional comment concerns us. We have no desire to hide important information about the data and its source. Because of Federal law, we do not imply or attempt to convey in any manner that either the US Secretary of Defense or the Defense Mapping Agency indorses this product. Our marketing literature therefore states only that the data is from a US Government database used for world-wide (non-US) mapping and charting. We were at a number of meetings this year demonstrating GEOname. At those meetings we had contact with many interested individuals. "Don't you trust us?" may have been said in jest by one of us as the initial response to a question. Such words would not have been intended as the complete explanation which should have been immediately forth-coming. We apologize to Dr. Marble and anyone else who may have felt similarly cut short. Thank you for the opportunity to clear up these details. Sincerely, Ed Taylor GEOname Products, GDE Systems, Inc., (MZ 6100-J) PO Box 509008, San Diego, CA 92150-9008, USA Phone: 1-619-592-5870 Fax: 1-619-592-5320 email: [log in to unmask] Home Page: http://www.gdesystems.com/IIS/Slipsheets/GEONAME.html On Fri, 15 Sep 1995, Duane F Marble wrote: > ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- > The one question that is not addressed is that of maintaining the > names database. The utility of a "one-up" database diminishes rapidly > with increasing time. > > I was pleased to see this discussion. When I approached their rep at > a meeting last year I was unable to obtain any technical information > about this database. When I pressed, I was asked "Don't you trust us?" > > -- > Duane F. Marble E-mail: [log in to unmask] > Dept. of Geography Home Page: http://thoth.sbs.ohio-state.edu > The Ohio State University Telephone: (614) 292-2250 > Columbus, OH 43210 Fax: (614) 292-6213 >