Newsletter - April 2000
Breaking News
DRG's Now on TerraServer
USGS digital raster graphics (DRG) are now only a click away on the
Microsoft TerraServer. As part of a Cooperative Research
and Development Agreement (CRADA), the USGS and Microsoft have collaborated to provide the public with
on-line access to digital maps and images. The USGS provided technical assistance to Microsoft on processing
the DRG's, which Microsoft then sectioned, resampled, and compressed to create millions of image tiles that
can be served quickly on the Internet.
The DRG's provide full, seamlessly displayed coverage of the conterminous United States and Hawaii from
1:24,000-, 1:25,000-, 1:100,000-, and 1:250,000-scale maps. TerraServer visitors can download the resampled
image tiles at no charge. The site also provides links to ordering information, including links to USGS
Business Partners for customers who want to purchase full DRG's.
There are four ways to search for a product on Terraserver: (1) searching by specific place name, (2)
using the "Advanced Find" search feature, (3) using the world coverage map, or (4) using TerraServer's list
of "Famous Places." TerraServer now offers several improved features for users, including new zoom levels,
simpler and faster loading of new data, and enhanced information about each image. Users can also link from
the USGS Geographic Names Information System and the National Atlas of the United States Web sites to an
image on the TerraServer at
http://mapping.usgs.gov/www/gnis/gnisform.html.
Online Partner Links to USGS Products
Do you have an online interactive viewer highlighting USGS digital maps or images? If so, we have
recently begun providing visitors to the USGS National Mapping Information Web site
( http://mapping.usgs.gov/index.html ) with links to publicly
accessible Business Partner or CRADA Partner Web sites that provide interactive viewer interfaces to featured
USGS products. To see the initial online viewer links, click on View Maps and Aerial Photos Online at the
Mapping Information Web site listed above. To learn more about this opportunity to feature a viewer service
at your site, go to
http://mapping.usgs.gov/partners/viewcriteria.html
for partner eligibility requirements and USGS contacts.
Satellite Data Business Partners
The first private companies have signed on as USGS Business Partners for satellite data, and more such
partnerships are anticipated as tools improve for accessing current Landsat data and as the growing season
commences in the Northern Hemisphere. USGS staff are constructing Web pages for referrals of Landsat 7 data
customers to the new Business Partners and are already taking orders for data through the partners.
The product line addendum for satellite data applies only to data from the newly launched Landsat 7
satellite. At $475 per scene for level 0-R data and $600 for level 1 systematically corrected data, Landsat 7
images are far less costly than those from earlier Landsat platforms. Price reductions for bulk purchases are
not yet available. However, the USGS plans to revise the current pricing schedule on the basis of actual
experience as more data from Landsat 7 are downloaded, processed, and sold. It is likely that a revised
pricing schedule would include a reduced rate for high-volume purchases.
The USGS is also releasing Earth Explorer, a product search-and-order interface, which will eventually
replace the current Global Land Information System (GLIS). Earth Explorer will require some familiarization
by users, but it will substantially reduce the complexity associated with the current interface for satellite
scene searches.
New Price for USGS Maps of National Parks
The USGS implemented a new price for all USGS National Park maps on December 6, 1999. All USGS National
Park maps, whether folded or flat, or printed on paper or plastic, will be the same price. The new price
for all USGS National Park maps is $7.00 per sheet, plus a $5.00 handling charge per order. An online list
of USGS National Park maps and an online order form are available at
http://mapping.usgs.gov/www/products/mappubs.html.
National Park maps can be ordered from your USGS Business Partner representatives.
Business Partner Newsletter is Now Online
USGS Business Partners can now read the current issue of this newsletter on the Web. Point your Web
browser to http://mapping.usgs.gov/www/partners/bpnews.html
to find out the latest developments at the USGS that could affect you as Business Partners.
Tools for Business Partners
Topographic Map Symbol Sheet Online
The USGS guide to topographic map symbols is now online at
http://mapping.usgs.gov/mac/isb/pubs/booklets/symbols/index.html. This
online version of the Topographic Map Symbols brochure was developed to provide map symbol information
online to customers viewing USGS digital raster graphics on the TerraServer Web site. The map symbols Web
site includes a short introduction to topographic maps and instructions on how to read them, as well as
symbols for six categories of features shown on USGS topographic maps: Elevation; Boundaries; Land Surface
Features; Water Features; Buildings and Related Features; and Roads, Railroads, Transmission Lines, and
Pipelines.
In addition to map symbols, the Web site provides links to other sites of interest to topographic map
users, including Map Finder, USGS map lists, USGS map dealers, the Global Land Information System, and USGS
booklets and fact sheets.
Product News
Shaded-Relief Map of North America
A beautiful new shaded-relief map of North America has been published as part of the National Atlas of
the United States. Digital elevation data and computer software were used to produce a stunning portrait
of America's terrain. The terrain is "illuminated" from the northwest with a simulated Sun angle of 45
degrees. Twenty-three distinct color tones depict broad elevation ranges. Within each color range, the
lightest color tones represent fully illuminated steep slopes and the darkest tones represent steep areas in
shadow. This is a particularly effective method for portraying relief since this "hill shading" technique
produces an easily interpreted image of the landscape and a good impression of general elevation. The map
measures 39" by 43.5" and is published at the scale of 1:10,000,000.
This map is available for $7.00 per sheet, plus a $5.00 handling charge per order. The stock number is
TUS5682. Orders for the shaded relief map may be placed through your regular contacts.
The National Atlas of the United States of America is designed to promote greater geographic awareness
through the development and delivery of products that provide easy-to-use, map-like views of our natural
and sociocultural landscapes. Visit the National Atlas online at
http://www.usgs.gov/atlas.
Seamless Elevation Data Now Available
Digital elevation data are essential for many earth science applications. They are used to provide
shaded-relief backgrounds, establish stratification in land cover classification, perform geometric and
radiometric correction of imagery, highlight terrain slope and aspect, analyze drainage networks, and
delineate watersheds.
The National Elevation Dataset (NED) is a new nationwide dataset of gridded elevation points joined and
archived in a seamless form. Datum, elevation unit, and projection are consistent for the entire dataset.
The NED has a resolution of 1 arc-second (approximately 30 meters) for the conterminous United States,
Hawaii, and Puerto Rico and a resolution of 2 arc-seconds for Alaska. The data are provided on CD-R.
Format options for the NED are currently limited to Arc grid, grid float, and bil. The spatially referenced
metadata consist of Arc polygon coverages in Arc export format.
NED orders can be initiated by contacting your regular USGS Business Partner Program representatives.
You will need to provide the latitude and longitude coordinates of the area(s) being ordered.
Any size bounding rectangle can be ordered, from a single 7.5-minute quadrangle to the entire country.
The maximum amount of NED data that will fit on one CD-R is 9 square degrees. The width and height of the
bounding rectangle need not be equal, and multiple areas can be written to a single CD-R as long as the
total area does not exceed 9 square degrees.
No volume discounts are offered at present. The charge is $45 per order, plus $1 per 7.5-minute
quadrangle area. In addition, a $5.00 handling fee is assessed on each order.
Map-on-Demand
The USGS is implementing map-on-demand (MOD) printing for selected, infrequently requested geologic maps.
High-speed, large-format printers have been coupled with innovative computer technologies to convert digital
map data into printed maps. As a result, it is now possible to print a map when needed, thereby eliminating
the need to maintain a warehoused inventory of products for which there is low demand.
The paper and inks used in the MOD process are not as durable as those used in traditional USGS
lithographic products. Although the inks are ultraviolet resistant, they are not water stable. These
products must be protected from high humidity and wet conditions and from prolonged exposure to the Sun and
other radiation sources. The MOD maps can be written on with either ink or pencil with no smudging and they
can be heat laminated with no "bleeding" of colors. To view the MOD products currently available or to obtain
a product order form, please visit the MOD Web site
http://rockyweb.cr.usgs.gov/mod/.
Maps selected for sale using MOD printing will be available only in this format. The price of each MOD
sheet is $20.00 plus a $5.00 handling charge per order. Currently, no discounts are available for MOD
products, and they cannot be returned or exchanged because they are printed at the request of the customer.
Business Partners can order MOD products through their regular USGS Business Partner Program points of
contact.
Administrative Corner
Published Products Business Partner Team Changes
Your Published Products Business Partner Team in Denver has some new faces, and we've said goodbye to some
of our old friends. Going on to new adventures are Kim Tompkins, Andy Orona, Mark Thorp, and Ken Palmer.
Kim is moving to our Accounting Department, Andy and Mark are in the Earth Science Information Center,
and Ken is pioneering a group in charge of developing new products. We will miss them all, and we know
you will, too.
Nikki Holden, Butch Lamirato, and Janis Wilson are still members of your Business Partner Team. The new
team members are Jeanelle Leyba (who is actually returning to the team), Karen Fritts, Ranae Gonzales,
and Adolph Kelly. We are really excited about our new team and look forward to continuing to serve your
needs. Following is a brief biography for each of our new people:
In the past few years, we have implemented quality control measures in various areas throughout the Branch
of Information Services. Our highest focus has been on the inventory of our maps. We are consistently
maintaining 98-percent accuracy in our inventory. What does this mean to the published products Business
Partners? Improved product availability. With accurate knowledge of what is on our shelves, we are able
to restock a product, usually before it goes out of stock. For all published products warehoused by the
National Mapping Division, less than 1/10 of 1 percent have been out of stock at any time since 1997.
Other areas we have changed that have a direct impact on published products Business Partners are the
pulling and wrapping processes. We have revamped the wrapping processes, resulting in fewer damaged
products arriving at their destination. Outgoing orders are sampled for accurate content. If any
discrepancies are found that are detrimental to the order, they are corrected. We then track those
discrepancies to evaluate where errors are being made. That information is used for additional training
and feedback on the pulling process.
Until now, we have focused primarily on internal measures for quality. In the next few
months, we will be turning our attention outward to you, our Business Partners, for customer
satisfaction measurements and for your input on how we can continue to bring you better
service. We plan to share our results with you, and continue to inform you of any actions
we take to improve our processes.
Please Use Your Business Partner Program Contacts!
One of the incentives for participation in the Business Partner Program is dedicated customer
service. As a USGS Business Partner, each of you has one or more points of contact within our
Business Partner teams at the EROS Data Center in Sioux Falls or at the Rocky Mountain Mapping
Center in Denver. These people are charged with assisting Business Partners on a priority basis
in researching and ordering products from the USGS. Should you contact the USGS through other
channels, such as by calling 1-888-ASK-USGS, you will be assisted by customer service personnel
who must respond to inquiries and requests in turn, and who may not be able to provide the same
level of service and benefits as can the Business Partner Program staff. So if you have
questions, need products researched, or want to place or check the status of an order, please
contact your Business Partner Program representatives. They are there to assist you!
Business Partner Program Staff Phone Numbers
- EROS Data Center (digital cartographic data, aerial photos, satellite data)
605-594-6907
- Rocky Mountain Mapping Center (published products)
1-888-MAP-DEAL (627-3325)
Toll Free Telephone Number for the Public
We continue to receive phone calls from the general public on the lines dedicated to
serving Business Partners. Those calls make us less available to assist you with your
needs. When you have a customer who needs to contact the USGS, please refer them to
1-888-ASK-USGS (1-888-275-8747), our toll free number for general public inquiries.
Other News
Map Revision List
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