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Bluffer's Guide to Digimap and OS MasterMap
Key points to remember
Here are some plain facts about OS MasterMap and Digimap, in no particular order, but without lengthy explanations. More details can be found elsewhere on this website.
- Two OS MasterMap Layers will be available: Topographic Layer (replacement for Land-Line) and Integrated Transport Network (ITN) Layer (new, but closely related to Meridian and OSCAR data).
- OS MasterMap will be available through Digimap OS Collection from September 2007.
- All Land-Line MAPS available through all Digimap facilities will change to MasterMap Topographic Layer maps in September 2007. The functionality of mapping facilities will not change with the arrival of OS MasterMap and no additional software will be required in order to view or use these maps.
- Land-Line DATA will continue to be available through the existing Data Download tool until August 2008.
- OS MasterMap DATA will be available through a separate, NEW, download facility called MasterMap Download.
- The existing Data Download facility will remain exactly as it is.
- No additional software is required in order to use the new online MasterMap Download facility, but new versions of GIS software may be required in order to use the OS MasterMap DATA downloaded from it. You can read more about this here: Software Requirements.
- No additional software is required in order to continue accessing and using the online Digimap service as at present. If you wish to use the new OS MasterMap data you will need to check the versions of GIS software you have available.
- OS MasterMap data is included in the subscription fees for Digimap OS Collections, as advertised on the EDINA website here.
- No additional fee or licence is required to use OS MasterMap. Use of OS MasterMap is subject to the same terms and conditions as all other Ordnance Survey datasets available through Digimap's OS Collection.
- Land-Line MAPS will be withdrawn from Digimap in September 2007. Land-Line DATA will be withdrawn from Digimap in September 2008.
- OS MasterMap data will be delivered online. Users will be emailed when their data is ready for collection. This means their email address must be correct in the Digimap registration database. It does NOT have to be a college or university email address. Incorrect email addresses can be updated, but this update does not take effect immediately.
So why do I need to know all this?
OS MasterMap is a different type of dataset from the existing Ordnance Survey data products. This means that in order to use the OS MasterMap data downloaded from Digimap you may need some different software, or different versions of software you already have. You will NOT need any additional software to use the online Digimap service.
There are some issues which require consideration in order that users at your institution are able to make use of the OS MasterMap data when it arrives. The facilities available within your institution may already be sufficient to manage OS MasterMap. However, you should check this rather than assume everything is ok. There are two additional pages giving more information about what preparation might be required: