This page contains materials created for a half-day introductory workshop given at the ASPRS/MAPPS Specialty conference in San Antonio, Texas, on November 16, 2009.

Workshop Abstract

Introduction to Open Source Geospatial Software (half day, afternoon)
Tyler Erickson, Research Scientist, Michigan Technological University

INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOP

The primary goal of this 1/2 day introductory workshop will be to provide an overview of currently available open source geospatial software applications and libraries (and emerging trends), so that attendees can make informed decisions on the advantages and disadvantages when comparing proprietary and open source software for their organization's needs.

The open source technologies covered will include a diverse set of components that may be used for storing, analyzing, and distributing remote sensing data and derived products. Topics will include geospatial databases, geospatial applications servers (i.e. image servers, vector servers, web frameworks), client applications (browsers, virtual globes, database clients), desktop applications, and programming libraries.

Software systems may combine both proprietary and open source software components. Many proprietary vector and image processing packages are based on underlying open source libraries. Issues related to integrating disparate system components (both open source and proprietary) will be discussed.

Characteristics of open source geospatial software and software projects will be discussed, including:

• the development process,
• documentation,
• stability and security,
• how projects are organized/managed,
• who contributes,
• modes of contribution,
• how contributions are incorporated,
• bug/feature enhancement tracking, and
• opportunities for technical support

Open source software is often equated with 'free' software, but open source software is licensed in a variety of ways, and may be free or for cost depending on the usage. Some licenses may also specify how you must license derived products. This workshop will cover some of the most common license models used for open source software.
Case studies of projects will be presented to give concrete examples of how open source software components are used in research and operational settings.

The workshop will be presented as a lecture with audience discussion. The intention is to provide the attendees with an overview of available software and to provide them with resources so that they have a starting point for learning more about individual software projects. Attendees will not need computers during the workshop.
And in the spirit of open source, the content of this workshop will be shared using a Creative Commons license.

Workshop Slides

Download Slides Workshop - Overview of Open Source Geospatial Technologies by Tyler Erickson is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License Download Slides Here (PDF)