future directions for mapserver

[Stephen Lime]

1) I'd have to see the new GD 2.0 API to know how hard the port will be.
I've isolated GD related code intentionally for such port and mapfiles already
take 24-bit color so it shouldn't be a bit deal. However, I been inquiring about
GD 2.0 for 5 years now and it's still not out so I wouldn't hold my breath.

2) MapServer currently supports TIFF/GeoTiff, ERDAS and EPPL7. Condional
PNG/GIF/JPEG support is already there as well. Images can be tiled. There is
a plan to use GDAL instead which should only add to supported formats. SDE
image support can be added if ESRI publishes the API which I haven't seen yet.

3) While NASA supports some MapServer development they certainly aren't 
covering it all. It has become a hobby. While I'm not planning retirement you 
never know when you might get hit by a bus. The user group and the University
need to comment on that event. There are commercial interests in the system
which can only help with it's long term viability.

The best way to deal with this is by encouraging use and expanding the number 
of developers. There are 3 with CVS write access and a couple of others contributing 
code. That group needs to expand a bit. Once 3.4 is release that may be a good time 
to reasses.

Steve

Stephen Lime
Internet Applications Analyst

Minnesota DNR
500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155
651-297-2937

>>> Michael Hearne <Michael.Hearne at noaa.gov> 01/05/01 12:03PM >>>
MapServer users (and developers) - I'm in the position to recommend
using various internet mapping applications.  I'm most excited about
MapServer, but I have to be practical, so I have some questions that I
thought some of you might be able to answer.  Steve Lime probably could
address all of these, but perhaps others could help?

1)  Currently, MapServer is limited to 8 bit imagery.  The home page for
GD says that full color image support will be available in version 2.0. 
How long will it take to incorporate that capability into MapServer? 
(And I'll have to ask the GD folks when 2.0 is coming...)

2) I'm currently working on a project to serve up imagery over the Web. 
I know that some of you have had success connecting MapServer to ArcSDE
for vector data - are there any success stories or plans for future
integration with raster data?  (I know ArcSDE is a little shaky on
imagery, so I don't expect a lot now...)

3) What are the future plans for MapServer?  If the NASA funding dries
up, or Steve Lime decides to retire, what happens?  Is anybody committed
to picking up the lead if he goes away?

That last question was not for me, but for my manager, who does not
share my confidence in open-source software.

Thanks!

-Mike Hearne


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