Linux.com published an interesting article – a tutorial – about famous components of Free and Open Source Software stack for Web Mapping. Justin Palk, the author, gives a very accessible introduction to building Web Mapping solution using GeoServer, PostGIS and OpenLayers. I think it’s a great writing for anyone who takes first steps in Web Mapping with FOSS4G.
Serving and styling maps with GeoServer by Justin Palk on September 24, 2008
The FOSS4G 2008 is only one month away. Traditionally, the Community gathered around Free and Open Source Software for Geospatial will award an individual with prestigious Sol Katz Award:
The Sol Katz Award for Geospatial Free and Open Source Software (GFOSS) will be given to individuals who have demonstrated leadership in the GFOSS community. Recipients of the award will have contributed significantly through their activities to advance open source ideals in the geospatial realm.
Past Awardees:
Yesterday Frank posted official call for nominations:
The Open Source Geospatial Foundation would like to open nominations for the 2008 Sol Katz Award for Geospatial Free and Open Source Software.
The winner will be announced on at the FOSS4G 2008 conference closing plenary in Cape Town, South Africa.
Today, George Silva asked on the OSGeo Discuss mailing list for some details on history of Free and Open Source Software for GIS. Shortly, the discussion has turned into a very interesting brainstorm session resulting in detailed overview of FOSS4G roots and chronology.
More on Brief history of GIS OSS (bit off topic?)
Update: 22-08-2008:
Based on the discussion about history of FOSS4G, dedicated article on OSGeo Wiki has been started: Open Source GIS History
From time to time, Google helps me to find and get new treasures laying deep on the Internet. Today, it dug out OpenGeology.pl website. Apparently, it has been launched quite recently and Google reports very few references about it. Because it’s mostly in Polish language and English version is incomplete, I will give a short overview of it here. So, what is this website about?
The front page explains it very well:
The OpenGeology.pl is devoted to the applications of Open Source Software in Geology
Later, one can browse various resources organized by topic – reviews of Open Source Software, tutorials ie. on DEM processing and 3D technologies in geology as well as collection of free and public geodata. DEM of Poland based on the SRTM-3 is available through a friendly map-based interface in two alternative coordinate systems (WGS 84 and PUWG 92) and three grid formats. It’s worth to notice that holes in original DEM files have been patched. I’ve not played with this data myself but it sounds very promising.
Now, let’s get to the point – the software. And here, my eyes saw a nice list of FOSS packages, including OSGeo Foundation projects…and there was much rejoicing.
OpenGeology community (see below) has found following FOSS4G and OSGeo projects useful: GRASS, Open Source Software Image Map (OSSIM), Quantum GIS, GDAL/OGR and FWTools.
A couple of words about the OpenGeology.pl authors. If my understanding is correct, the website was founded by Polish Geological Institute and Maciej Tomaszczyk is the main author and content provider. Kudos to the OpenGeology.pl Community for their efforts to spread the FOSS4G in Poland.