Q: What is a good way to start learning about GISsurfer?
A: Click the big green "Menu" button and select "Help". Then scroll down a bit on the help page and read the "Overview" section.

Q: Can maps be printed?
A: Yes. You can print through your browser. Chrome users - click the 3 dots ==> print. Firefox users - click file ==> print preview. However, the maps are not printed 'to scale'.

Q: Why are some GISsurfer map links really long??
A: Long map links are the result of the information that is being passed to the &data parameter. Often times that information will specify various GIS layers that the map can display. In order to make a shorter map link you can put the information for the data parameter in a text file, put the text online and then in the map link set the value for the &data parameter to the address for the text file. Tip: Google drive will host your text files at no cost. For more information please see the &data parameter PDF file.

Q: Can I change the map scale from feet to meters?
A: Yes. Click Menu ==> Change scale. Click it again to change back to feet. You can also use the link parameter &scale=meters to open the map with the scale set to meters.

Q: Some GISsurfer map links have special symbols. What do those symbols mean?
A: There are three types of special symbols.
    1. & indicates that the following word is a parameter that controls how the map looks or works when it opens. Parameters are always followed by an equal sign and a value.
    2. || only appears as part of the &data parameter. This symbol indicates the start of a new line.
    3. ^ only appears as part of the &data parameter. This symbol separates pieces of information that are on the same line.

Q: I used the GISsurfer screenshot mode to make a georeferenced JPG. Can GISsurfer display that JPG?
A: If the JPG is online then GISsurfer can display it. Tip: GISsurfer can also display georeferenced PNG files that are online. Here is an example:
Mason Lake area^https://geojpg.com/website/example_jpg/Mason_Lake_area.jpg^47.403054,-121.593246,47.450611,-121.505356
For more information, including where to find free hosting for JPGs, please see this PDF file showing how to use the 'data' parameter.
https://mappingsupport.com/p2/help/GISsurfer-data-parameter.pdf

Q: How do I make a georeferenced PNG file that has a transparent background?
A: Before putting GISsurfer into screenshot mode, set the basemap to "All white basemap". Save the screenshots as PNG files. (Optional: Stitch the PNGs together into a composite PNG.) Use image editing software to change the white background to transparent. Instructions using Photoshop are included in this PDF:
https://mappingsupport.com/p2/help/GISsurfer-georeference-images.pdf

Q: Can I use a cell phone, tablet or other type of touch screen device to make georeferenced screenshots?
A: Yes, but there is a condition. The GISsurfer interface will let you shift the screen exactly one screen worth up/down/left/right on any touch screen device. However, making a useful georeferenced screenshot will only work if the screenshot can be saved as a JPG or PNG file.

Q: In addition to GISsurfer is there other software that can display georeferenced image files?
A: Yes. GISsurfer provides KML syntax and and instructions to help you make KMZ files that include one or more georeferenced JPG and/or PNG files. Those KMZ files can be opened with any software that can display a KML GroundOverlay. This includes the situational awareness software ATAK (Android), iTAK (iOS) and WinTAK (Windows). Google Earth can also display these KMZ files.

Q: Do the screenshot images that can be produced with GISsurfer need to be rubber sheeted?
A: No. 'Rubber sheeting' an image file is only needed if you do not already have the georeferenced data for the image.

Q: I used the sidebar to add some GIS layers to a GISsurfer map. How do I save a browser bookmark for my new map?
A: In general, if you open a webpage then you can save a bookmark for that webpage. To save a bookmark for your new GISsurfer map, click Menu ==> Link to this map. Copy the link that is displayed, paste it into a new browser tab and open the map. Now you can save a bookmark for the map that you just opened.

Q: Does GISsurfer have a basemap similar to the Google hybrid basemap that displays an aerial view and street names?
A: You can make a similar looking map by turning on an aerial basemap and turning on the built-in overlay "World transportation" or "ESRI roads and labels."

Q: How can I add a new basemap?
A: You can add a new basemap via the data parameter. For more information please read about the data parameter in this PDF file. https://mappingsupport.com/p2/help/GISsurfer-link-parameters.pdf

Q: I want to look at data hosted on GIS servers but I do not know any addresses for GIS servers. Now what?
A: Here is a PDF file with a curated list of 3,000+ ArcGIS servers. These are mostly USA-based government servers from the federal level down to the city level. https://mappingsupport.com/p/surf_gis/list-federal-state-county-city-GIS-servers.pdf

Q: How can I tell if a GIS server has the data I want to display with GISsurfer?
A: One option is to enter the ArcGIS server's address into your browser and then click through the table of contents. Another option is to try a google advanced search. For example, if you are looking for GIS data that shows trails then search on:
    trail site:___________
Replace the underline with the address of the ArcGIS server that you want to search.

Q: I am trying to look at a GIS overlay layer and it never appears on the map. Why?
A: There are several possible reasons.
1. The zoom levels at which GIS basemaps and overlays appear on your screen are defined on the GIS server and cannot be changed by software. You might need to zoom out or zoom in. If you need to zoom in more than allowed by the current basemap, then try changing the basemap. As a last resort change the basemap to "All white basemap".
2. The symbols or lines that GIS layer puts on the map might be hard to see. Try changing the basemap to "All white basemap".
3. The ArcGIS server might be busy. Try waiting 10-20 seconds. Try tomorrow.
4. The GIS server might be down. Or the server administrator might have changed the server address or layer number. Find the https or http address for the GIS layer you are trying to open and enter that address into a browser bar to see if the table of contents appears. Check if the layer number on the server has been changed. If you are looking at the table of contents for MapServer layers, then click the "Legend" link and see what kind of symbology is used for the data you are trying to display.
5. The overlay layer might be defined on the GIS server but no data was uploaded to the server.
6. If the ArcGIS server uses http instead of https and you are trying to display FeatureServer data, then your browser will likely refuse to display that data. This is a security feature. FeatureServer data is actual coordinates that the server streams to your browser. If that stream happens over http (instead of httpS) then the stream is not encrypted and can be hacked. MapServer data and ImageServer data will work OK over http since that data is sent from the GIS server to your browser in the form of images - not coordinate data.

Q: Some GIS overlay layers do not display if the map is zoomed in too far or zoomed out too far. Can you fix that?
A: No. The zoom levels at which GIS data displays is defined on the GIS server and cannot be changed by software.

Q: I made a map that has some GIS layers. How can I add a legend to the map so people know what the various symbols mean?
A: The GIS server that is hosting your map layers includes a 'Legend' web page that explains each symbol. When I make a map I include a "Map tips" link in the title. That link points to a web page I made that is hosted on my server. That web page includes links to the various 'Legend' pages for the GIS layers the map can display. Another option would be to make a PDF file with the legend links. Of course you would still need a way to put the PDF file online. Finally, if your map only requires a single link to a GIS legend page, then you could include that link directly in the map title. The GISsurfer 'Help' page shows how to add a title to the map.

Q: I made a map by adding some GIS overlay layers. How do I save the map I made?
A: Click Menu ==> Link to this map. The link that is displayed will replicate the map on your screen.

Q: Can GISsurfer display KML, KMZ or GPX files?
A: GISsurfer can display GPX track data. You can display multiple GPX files and set a different line width and color for the track in each file. The GPX file has to be online somewhere. GPX files can be hosted for free on Google Drive. Here is an example map.
https://mappingsupport.com/p2/gissurfer.php?data=https://mappingsupport.com/gpx/Bandera.gpx.
.
For more information see this PDF file and read about GPX data.
https://mappingsupport.com/p2/help/GISsurfer-data-parameter.pdf

Support for KML and KMZ files will be added in a future update.

Q: I tried to post a GISsurfer map link on Facebook but the link did not work. Is there a solution?
A: Fairly simple GISsurfer links work on Facebook fine. But if you are trying to post a long and/or complex GISsurfer link then I recommend using a link shortener such as Bitly
.

Q: When I rightclick the map the elevation displayed does match elevation data for the same spot from a different source. Why?
A: The USGS says "[t]he elevations provided by the Elevation Point Query Service are Orthometric Height (that approximate Mean Sea Level). They are not Ellipsoidal Heights.".