Summit County GIS Available Data Layers FAQ

August 4, 2006
Revised:  November 1, 2007
I'm not sure which datasets I need
For 2005 orthophotography, which should I choose, MrSID or JPEG 2000 format?
Can I buy only the data for the area I'm interested in?

Will I be able to view the data on the DVD just like on Summit County's web site?
Do the data come with viewing/printing software?
What kind of software do I need?
Will the data work with my software?
Will I be able to print maps from the DVD's?

I'm a student; can I get free DVD's?
I'm a consultant working for a government agency/non-profit; can I get free DVD's?
Can I copy/re-distribute/re-sell Summit County GIS datasets?

I am in a time crunch, would it be possible to FTP some layers to me today and I'll send payment afterwards?
When can I expect to receive my DVD('s)?

How often is <dataset> updated?


I'm not sure which datasets I need
For each DVD, on the Summit County GIS web site there is a table containing a list of layers on that DVD, their file formats, and links to metadata (descriptions of the layers) in a Federal Geographic Data Committee standard format.  There are also links to the README files for each DVD that contain additional important information.  DVD's have been organized by similar subjects (i.e. contours and hydrography in the topographic set, all 2005 aerial photo products in one set) and by time period (i.e. all 1994 data in one set).  Please review this information carefully to determine which DVD('s) to purchase.

For 2005 orthophotography, which should I choose, MrSID or JPEG 2000 format?
The choice between MrSID and JPEG 2000 format imagery is largely a function of what software is being used, as well as personal preference.  Contact your software vendor to see which formats are supported.  MrSID is well-established; supported by many high-end commercial GIS, CAD, and graphics software packages; however, it is a proprietary licensed format.  JPEG 2000 is a relatively new, open standard format that is not as widely implemented yet.  Differences in image quality between the two formats should be minimal.  Apparently, implementations of JPEG 2000 and GeoJP2 vary widely, so if software that claims to support JPEG 2000 won't read Summit County's images, the disc can be exchanged for the MrSID version.

Can I buy only the data for the area I'm interested in?
All datasets cover the entire Summit County and must be purchased as such.

Will I be able to view the data on the DVD just like on Summit County's web site?
The DVD's just contain raw data; how you view and query those raw data depend on the software used.  Software included on the DVD's do not replicate the functionality of the Summit County ArcIMS site.

Do the data come with viewing/printing software?
Several of the DVD's contain different software for viewing and/or printing some or all of the data contained on that DVD.  The README files for each DVD explain what software is included.  Summit County GIS does not support/troubleshoot any of the included software; contact the publisher of the software for assistance.

What kind of software do I need?
A robust software application that supports the data types contained on the DVD's is strongly recommended.  The software included on the DVD's has been found to have limited functionality and poor performance compared with commercial - and even some open source - applications.  Summit County GIS cannot endorse any GIS software vendor over another.

Will the data work with my software?
Contact your software vendor to determine if the data types on the DVD's are compatible with your software package.  Summit County only tests the data with ESRI's ArcGIS.

Will I be able to print maps from the DVD's?
Printing largely depends on the software being used and is very limited using the software included on the DVD's.

I'm a student; can I get free DVD's?
Students are eligible to receive free data, however, Summit County GIS policy is to provide the data to a single point of contact at the educational institution, for distribution to all students.  If you are a student, contact Summit County GIS, and we will direct you to the appropriate contact for your school.  If your school has not previously obtained data from Summit County GIS, we will provide it to you, on the condition that you will turn over the data to a department head/faculty advisor/map librarian for central distribution, and provide contact information for that person to Summit County GIS.

I'm a consultant working for a government agency/non-profit; can I get free DVD's?
Consultants working for government agencies/non-profits should have that agency contact Summit County GIS to obtain the data at no charge.  Government agencies/non-profits are entitled to one free copy of each available dataset, which they can then distribute however they wish, understanding that the agency should keep the originals (or copies) for themselves.  Consultants contacting Summit County GIS directly will be charged the full price.

Can I copy/re-distribute/re-sell Summit County GIS datasets?
Legally, there are no restrictions on copying, re-distributing, or re-selling Summit County GIS data.  Summit County GIS would prefer that any metadata provided for any of the datasets be included and maintained in any copies/enhancements.  Any of the data that are altered by a third party should be labeled as such.

I am in a time crunch, would it be possible to FTP some layers to me today?
No, Summit County GIS does not distribute any data without prior payment.  Also, GIS data can be quite large, making it resource-prohibitive to transfer over the County's Internet connection.

When can I expect to receive my DVD('s)?
Delivery time depends on the Postal Service.  Once the order has reached Summit County GIS, it is usually processed and mailed the same day, or the next business day.

How often is <dataset> updated?
New GIS Data DVD's are released every six months (in January and July).  The name of the dataset reflects its published date.  Parcel layers and any other updates contributed to the dataset are included.  For layers that are not updated, the most recent update will carry over to the new DVD (for instance, if there are no changes to the Zoning layer, the Zoning layer from the previous DVD is included on the new DVD).  To determine the currentness of a layer, see its metadata, or contact the agency responsible for the layer.

Aerial photography is updated every five years.  Topographic data (contours, building footprints, etc.) are updated every ten years.  The next scheduled time for Summit County-purchased aerial photography and topographic data is 2010.

End of FAQ