Network link for providing dynamic data layer in a geographic information system

A machine-readable storage medium encoded with instructions, that when executed by a processor, cause the processor to carry out a process for providing a data layer in a geographic information system the process comprising.

• receiving content from a server that hosts a description file specifying one or more attributes of the content, including geospatial location data of the content;
• executing a network link, the network link including a reference to a network location of the description file having one or more refresh conditions, the network link for referencing the description file to poll content and its geospatial location data from the server according to the one or more refresh conditions;
• and
• providing the polled content as a dynamic data layer showing the geospatial location data of that content.

A machine-readable storage medium encoded with instructions, that when executed by a processor, cause the processor to carry out a process for providing a data layer in a geographic information system, the process comprising.

• hosting a description file that specifies one or more attributes of content, including geospatial location data of the content;
• receiving a request from a client executing a network link, the network link including a reference to a network location of the description file having one or more refresh conditions, the network link for referencing the description file to poll content and its geospatial location data according to the one or more refresh conditions;
• and
• sending polled content to the client, thereby enabling the client to provide the polled content as a dynamic data layer showing the geospatial location data of that content.