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Once you have received your account name and password, you can use the
following instructions to download the TLG data from the Metropolitan Council
FTP site.
WWW Browser Access to FTP Site
If you intend to use a web browser (i.e. Netscape, Internet Explorer)
to access the ftp site you must enter the URL like this:
ftp://username:password@gisftp.metc.state.mn.us/tlg
Where username and password are those
which were assigned to you when you completed the licensing agreement. They are
case sensitive, so make sure your CapsLock is off. If you do not include the
username and password, your browser will incorrectly assume that this is an
anonymous FTP site and it will not work.
The procedure used to download the files varies depending on your
browser type and version. You may be able to right click the files and copy
them, then paste to a local directory. Or you may get an option to "save as" or
"save target as". You can then save to a local directory. Double clicking a
file will not work in many browsers.
What files should you download?
On the FTP site you will see several files. Depending on your browser,
you may also be able to see the date that the file was put on the FTP site. The
format and contents of each file is as follows:
|
File Name |
File format and Contents |
|
tlg_month200X_all.zip |
This WinZip file contains all TLG data (roads and landmarks) for
the month and year specified. Data are in shape file format. In addition to the
current release, older releases may appear on the FTP site. For most users,
this is the only file you will need to download. |
|
tlg_month200X_metro.zip |
This is identical to the "all" file above, except that the roads
shape file contains only the seven county metro area, and not the other
counties TLG provides. |
|
tlg_roads_all_e00.zip |
This is a WinZip file containing an Arc Export (.e00) file of all
TLG roads data for the current release. |
|
tlg_roads_metro_e00.zip |
This is a WinZip file containing an Arc Export (.e00) file of TLG
roads data for only the seven county metro area. |
|
tlglmk_e00.zip |
This is a WinZip file containing an Arc Export (.e00) file of all
TLG landmarks data. |
|
tlg_edits_##.dbf |
These are dBase tables showing edits to the TLG roads data.
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Need to know more about the data? Read the metadata on MetroGIS
DataFinder:
Street Centerline Metadata.
For ArcView shape files, _a, _l & _p in the file names refer to
area (polygon), line and point shape types. The .htm file is the metadata.
If you are using a PC FTP utility
Since there is a tremendous variety of PC ftp utilities, each with its
own procedures, it is impractical to outline the exact steps. Generally, the PC
software is more user friendly and has more generous help documentation
available than the UNIX varieties. MetroGIS cannot provide technical support
for PC ftp utilities. If you are having problems with your FTP software, please
consult with your system administrator and/or the software vendor. The generic
steps outlined below are NOT intended to be exact.
1. Logon to the system. You will enter the ftp address (often called
the URL), the account name, account password, and starting directory. Your
particular software package may have additional fields. To use the Met Council
FTP site the following information should be entered
URL: gisftp.metc.state.mn.us
ACCOUNT: (use the username which was assigned to you)
PASSWORD: (use the password which was assigned to you)
DIRECTORY: /tlg
You will then generally see two windows pop up. The first is the Source
Window. This represents the Met Council FTP site. The second window is the
Target window. The target window generally represents your PC. The Met Council
FTP site is READ ONLY. You cannot write to the Source. You can write on the
Target. You then need to go to the "license" subdirectory, and then the "tlg"
subdirectory under that. To access a data file, select data files in the Source
window and select the location to put the file on the Target. Be sure to direct
the files to an appropriate area on your PC.
If you are using a UNIX system, the command sequence
is as follows:
ftp gisftp.metc.state.mn.us
Name (mcftp.metc.state.mn.us): (You
type in the User Name assigned to you here.)
Password: (You type in the
Password assigned to you here.)
<ftp> cd /tlg
<ftp> bin
(switches to binary mode)
<ftp> prompt (switches to batch mode)
<ftp> ls -al (to see a list of files)
<ftp> get filename (where
"filename" is the file you want to download)
<ftp> quit (quits the
ftp)
Notes on Etiquette and Speed
- To ensure the fastest results, try downloading from the FTP site
either early in the morning (before 8:00 a.m.) or in the evening (after 5:00
p.m.)
- If you have problems with this site please contact Mark Kotz at the
Metropolitan Council GIS Office (651-602-1644 or .
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