Help

The following is a list of popular terms used throughout the GIS, we hope the meanings given below will help you to understand the system.

• Background (Map Background)
  The actual map to which layers can be added. A variety of map backgrounds can be seen depending on the map scale and chosen date. Various historical backgrounds are available from 1856 to the present day.
  
  
• Check Box
  A small box which you click on, to add or remove a map layer. A 'cross' or 'tick' in a check box signifies the layer is loaded and an empty box means a layer is not loaded.
  
  
• Clear Layers (Tool)
  See Map Tools for further information.
  
  
• Features
  The collective term for things shown on, or by, map layers which can be displayed on the map. For example, a 'feature' could be a specific point on the map or an area, a street, a road, or postcode, etc.
  
  
• Function
  One of the technical things the GIS can do. For example, our current system has a 'Search' function, a 'Nearest' function, and a 'Layers' function, all of which allow the user to find different information relating to maps.
  
  
• Get Info (Tool)
  See Map Tools for further information.
  
  
• GIS
  Abbreviation for 'Geographic Information System'.
  
  
• Keyword
  A word or phrase used to conduct a search. You can type a word or phrase into the search box which summarises what you want to find. The search is designed to find results which contain or 'match' the keyword(s) (in any order) and retrieve related information.
  
  
• Layer
  A set of plotted points which are superimposed onto the map background. A 'layer' can be likened to placing a sheet of tracing paper over the map to indicate additional information. Layers can be added to, and removed from, the map.
  
  
• Loaded Layers
  The term used to describe layers which you have already added to the map by clicking in the check box.
  
  
• Ordnance Survey
  Britain's national mapping agency 'Ordnance Survey' is the internationally recognised market leader, offering a wide range of map related products, from traditional walking maps to road maps, large-scale maps and digital products. Visit the Ordnance Survey website to find out more.
  
  
• Panning
  The term used for moving around the map in any given direction. See Map Tools.
  
  
• Print Map (Tool)
  See Map Tools for further information.
  
  
• Scale
  The map scale shows the ratio of the distance measured on the map compared to the actual measurement on the ground. In the UK most map scales are metric and are shown, for example, as 1:50,000 which represents a scale of 1cm equal to 50,000 cm. See Map Tools for further information.
  
  
• System Requirements / Technical Issues
  In order to use the GIS system your PC will need to be set up in a certain way and meet specific system requirements.
  
  
• Tools / Toolbar
  The area below the map where tools and buttons are located. Clicking on different tools enables different mouse functionality.
  
  
• Zooming
  See Map Tools for further information.