Frequently Asked Questions - MyGDI FAQ | Welcome to Malaysia Geoportal

To enable on-line access to geospatial information,avoid duplication of effort in the collection and ensure the accurancy,timelines,correctness and consistency of data use in the planning,development and managment of land resources.

Malaysian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (MyGDI) accommodates spatial data sharing among the agencies whereby users can search and browse for data that are made available by the providing agencies, get details about the data, and place order on-line.

A secured access through the Internet is available to users to obtain descriptions of the available digital spatial data that are made available by the participating Land Related Agencies (LRAs). Other than obtaining descriptions of the available data, users can also view the spatial data. In a viewer, functionalities like zoom, pan, query and getting further information (i.e., using "identify" function) are also possible.

This application also provides functionalities for administrators to input data and to carry out other tasks that are necessary in data sharing. This includes checking orders from users, updating metadata records, adding dictionary entries and viewing reports. An administrator can also process applications from potential users. Additional administrative function that the application accommodates is an interface for a liaison officer in an agency to register users applications.

A Metadata is textual and sometimes graphical information that describes geographic information system (GIS) resources in the same way a card in a library's card catalogue describes a book. Once you've found a resource with a search, its metadata will help you decide whether it's suitable for your purposes. To make this decision, you may need to know how accurate or current the resource is and if there are any restrictions on how it can be used. Metadata can answer these questions.

A Clearinghouse is each located at the MaCGDI in the Ministry of Lands and Cooperative Development, and at UPEN or the suitable agencies in Kedah, Perlis, Melaka and Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan. The Clearinghouse employs a distributed system of gateway servers located at the Land Related Agencies (LRAs). The Clearinghouse, additionally, utilizes the Internet to enable data sharing. Each of the Clearinghouses will be managed by the agencies where it is located (the MaCGDI, UPEN or the similar agencies) and each Clearinghouse will have the administrative role for the related MyGDI functionalities for the LRAs within their geographic areas. Nevertheless, the application will adhere to the concept that it will provide a single window to all geospatial information regardless of the location where the data reside and thus facilitates the exchange and sharing of information.

Entry to the system is provided via a logging on process. Authorized user will need to sign on with a username and password. The system will then initiate an authentication process. At this stage, the filtering process will also be undertaken to channel the user either to the main menu for further data searching and browsing or to carry out administrative tasks.

As such, channelling of users to the appropriate menu in MyGDI is dependent upon the categories assigned to the users, which information is associated with the username and password. For guests, there is also an access provided to them. Basically, the path that a guests, can pass through in MyGDI is almost similar to that of an authorized user's but restrictions are assigned accordingly. For map viewing, guests can only access demo data.

The reason for letting guests to get access to metadata is to allow them to know what data are available. For prospective users, this is helpful for them to assess whether they should register to be authorized users. By allowing them to assess the metadata will also satisfy the needs for those who want to learn the functionalities of the system without having to be registered users. Demo data for viewing are provided to give the guests samples of the published maps and the functionalities included in a viewer. Actual view of the data sets are not allowable since by viewing, some information of the data sets will already be revealed. As part of the filtering process, authorized users will also be differentiated into five levels of access in viewing maps.

This module contains three submodules; namely Search Maps, Data Catalogue, and Cadastral. In general, this module provides access to the Data that are available in MyGDI through the submodules.

Search Map is another interface available for users to explore the data in MyGDI. Using this method, data exploring will be made accessible through Search Map engine, which provide an interface where the user can submit search queries. Particularly Search Map engine searches only mapping products. Subsequent to submitting a query, a list of resulting metadata based on the search will be prompted and details of metadata as linked to the results of the search can further be investigated. There are six options available to users to submit queries :

1) Geographic area of coverage
2) Clearinghouse
3) Keyword (free text)
4) Agencies
5) Temporal date
6) Data theme

With these options, users can search multiple clearinghouses that are located at the National level and the States.

By specifying the options as listed above, either individually or by combining any of them, users will be prompted with the metadata list similar to those available in the result of browsing a data catalogue discussed above. Similarly, the user can either order the data or view the map. Upon clicking the title of the map, the associated metadata details will be shown. At the metadata details page, the user can also view the map and proceed to order the data at the viewing page as well as to download the data. Similar in data catalogue, downloading function requires the users to be authorized to have access to the prepaid account.

Data catalogue provides an interface for users to explore data by browsing through the information related to the data being sought. This process can access both mapping and cadastral-related products.

By this method, the user can access the list of available data according to the state clearinghouse, from which the user will be led further to the metadata to get further information about the data. This metadata details will be reached when the user has narrowed down the information in the process of browsing.

At metadata list page, there will also be an option for the user either to order the data or to view the map. Alternatively, the user can also view the map at metadata details page and proceed to order the data at the viewing page or download the data. Data downloading, additionally, requires the user to have access to a prepaid account.

This submodule provides an interface for users to browse cadastral-related products that are available in MyGDI. Using this application users can access the list of available data by state from which the user will be led further to the metadata.

Once a user decides to view a map, following from his/her browsing or searching process and after being prompted with the list of metadata, the application will present the user with the appropriate interface. This interface will allow the user to access the maps and the related information according to the nature of the data that are being sought. Specifically, there are two possible interfaces that the user will get once he/she clicks to view a map: one is the interface to view a map and to do map manipulation such as overlaying of map layers from the different sources. The second is the interface that allows the user to view a map to perform further data searches associated to the location as presented by the map.

Under this viewing function, a user is provided with a capability to overlay map layers from different sources that can be accessed through the Internet. The user can also overlay map layers that are obtained from distributed sources over the Internet with the layers that reside in the local storage. This can further facilitate the user in his/her decision to assess the data before purchasing them. Once the user has decided to purchase the data, he/she can submit the order on-line and depending on the status of the user, he/she can proceed to download the data.

From a metadata details page, users can submit orders to the respective egency. The users, before submitting the list of order, can check and revise the items and the quantity that they have put in the ordering list. For administrators at agencies, the system will also provide a facilitty where they can check orders for them to process further.

A data dictionary is a collection of descriptions of the data objects or items in the application. It contains code name, code descriptions, code size and other information on usage for each data code element. It will allow users of applications to communicate with one another using common terms and definitions. Data dictionary is included in MyGDI so that it can be consulted to understand where a data item fits in the structure of MyGDI, what values it may contain, and to describe what the data item means in real-world terms.

This module provides the definition of the terms that are used in the application. This includes description of technical terms and other words that have particular meaning pertinent to specific agencies.

To enable on-line access to geospatial information,avoid duplication of effort in the collection and ensure the accurancy,timelines,correctness and consistency of data use in the planning,development and managment of land resources.

Malaysian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (MyGDI) accommodates spatial data sharing among the agencies whereby users can search and browse for data that are made available by the providing agencies, get details about the data, and place order on-line.

A secured access through the Internet is available to users to obtain descriptions of the available digital spatial data that are made available by the participating Land Related Agencies (LRAs). Other than obtaining descriptions of the available data, users can also view the spatial data. In a viewer, functionalities like zoom, pan, query and getting further information (i.e., using "identify" function) are also possible.

This application also provides functionalities for administrators to input data and to carry out other tasks that are necessary in data sharing. This includes checking orders from users, updating metadata records, adding dictionary entries and viewing reports. An administrator can also process applications from potential users. Additional administrative function that the application accommodates is an interface for a liaison officer in an agency to register users applications.

A:Depends - some metadata have a link to a downloading service but some are not. If you are creating metadata, you decide whether the data available for download or not.

A:It depends. The metadata statement will describe any costs or usage limitation associated with the data set. Currently only government agencies data that is available thru MyGDI. Each agencies will set their own pricing based on guideline by MaCGDI.

A:Email mygeoadmin@macgdi.gov.my if you have any enquiry, otherwise you can register on-line to become mygeoportal user.