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<div class="moz-cite-prefix">I'm not a heavy user of LAS data, but
I'd like to try to strengthen Martin in his resolve, if I can. He
is absolutely right in his analysis and approach to the issue.
Today, with the continued spread of high quality open source
software, especially - as we all know - in GIS, proprietary
software vendors have only only one ammunition left. They have to
lock down file formats, and then users are forced to purchase
proprietary software. <br>
<br>
If we don't insist on an open standard for LAS data, we'll find
ourselves in a few short years with LIDAR suppliers offering only
closed format data, and this whole branch of FOSS GIS will wither.
<br>
<br>
If ESRI had any intention of cooperating, and allowing their zLAS
to coexist with the current LAZ standard, they would have added to
their toolbox a tool to convert from zLAS back to LAZ! But even
suggesting idea that probably raises a smirk.<br>
<br>
I hope Martin can carry on and bring this issue up at every forum
that's willing to listen.<br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
Micha <br>
<br>
On 21/12/2015 14:16, Martin Isenburg wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote
cite="mid:CABSWR-EzmNQ7YGjrE3RsiUL_05ZXBLTjwNBR78L0XWQ22xVwbA@mail.gmail.com"
type="cite">
<div dir="ltr">
<div class="gmail_quote">
<div dir="ltr">Hello,
<div><br>
</div>
<div>I have used my OGC membership slot to attend the second
meeting of the recently formed Point Cloud Domain Working
Group that took place during the December 2015
OGC TC meeting in Sydney, Australia. I gave a presentation
during which I first repeated our concern about LiDAR
format fragmentation and data lock-in via a proprietary
storage format. I also outlined again the technical steps
that should be taken to avoid that by exploiting the
natural break in the LAS format due to LAS 1.4 (similar to
[1] and [2]). I went on explaining some of the technical
details, first behind geometry compression in general and
then on a few of the choices that were made in 2009/2010
when the open source LASzip compressor was first designed.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>A representative of ESRI also attended the meeting but
did not present. We did have a small personal chat but
nothing of relevance was said and no offer to any form of
resolution was made. </div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>On the contrary. Just a few days ago ESRI has released
a new tool that converts compressed LiDAR from the open
LAZ format to their closed zLAS format. An (intentionally
funny) blog post on this "awakening of the dArc Force"
with a few more details is available on my personal
company web pages here:<br>
<br>
<a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://rapidlasso.com/2015/12/19/the-darc-force-awakens-esri-escalates-lidar-format-war/">http://rapidlasso.com/2015/12/19/the-darc-force-awakens-esri-escalates-lidar-format-war/</a><br>
</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>I plan to use my OGC slot to point out this new
development that suggests that ESRI has no interest in
finding a timely solution to avoid format fragmentation. I
therefore request for my OGC slot to be extended for
another six months.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Regards,</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Martin</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>PS: I also used my OGC slot to meet Cameron Shorter for
the first time in person. After the meeting he took me on
a leisurely walk along the waterfront showing me the
Harbor bridge and the Opera House. (-:</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>[1] <a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n52E6OM68UE">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n52E6OM68UE</a></div>
<div>[2] <a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gD4r_mprA6Q">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gD4r_mprA6Q</a><br>
</div>
<div><br>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<br>
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</blockquote>
<p><br>
</p>
<br>
<div class="moz-signature">-- <br>
<div dir="LTR">
Micha Silver<br>
Arava Drainage Authority<br>
cell: +972-523-665918
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