[OSGeo Africa] RE: OSGeo Africa

Thu Mar 1 03:53:58 EST 2012

If you create the need the rest will fall in place. Varsity wont supply if
there is no demand (my personal thought)

Here is a good example of how an OSS challenge became a success
Andriod OSS platform<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_%28operating_system%29>
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_%28operating_system%29

Its a different way of thinking, you honestly need to approach OSS from a
different perspective

Sarel Coetzer

On Thu, Mar 1, 2012 at 10:02 AM, Gregory Setei <
Gregory.Setei at ekurhuleni.gov.za> wrote:

> I was using OS GIS in previous working environment, I must say I never had
> such a huge headache. The support on the OS GIS is costly, why? We had
> tender for a particular amount but due to unforeseen development
> requirements to use the system as well as the know how within the
> organization, we ended paying far more than what we planned. The point is
> (there is not enough skills for most end-user on the OS GIS platform). The
> propriety systems seem to be doing well due to the support they offer
> though the licence agreements might be an additional costs. In terms of
> service delivery to our customers, propriety systems seem to be handy. ***
> *
>
> ** **
>
> In moving forward, let us allow the institutions of higher learning to
> start to introduce those platforms so that the new breed of GIS
> practitioners will be able to perform their work on the OS. I have hope
> that maybe in future we will be on the OS as required by our GIS discipline.
> ****
>
> ** **
>
>   ****
>
> ** **
>
> *From:* africa-bounces at lists.osgeo.org [mailto:
> africa-bounces at lists.osgeo.org] *On Behalf Of *Modiba Ramohlale
> *Sent:* 01 March 2012 08:59 AM
> *To:* Africa local chapter discussions
> *Subject:* [OSGeo Africa] OSGeo Africa****
>
> ** **
>
> Colleagues,****
>
> ** **
>
> With regard to SITA the focus on OS GIS has been rather limited.  On the
> broader IT we have made some genuine quantifiable progress.  Since the FOSS
> for GIS conference in 2008 most of our endeavour have been limited if not
> canned.  We had one client for whom we completed an OS GIS application BUT
> it was never rolled out.  We are also constrained by our clients who, by
> the time they call us for further assistance, have already decided on
> proprietary GIS.  SITA’s mandate is to serve as an independent advisor and
> not an enforcer of which tools to use.****
>
> ** **
>
> We currently have, on our desk, a client’s requirements whose needs a
> combine both proprietary and OS GIS.  SITA has three sub-sections focusing
> on GIS separately for security reasons.  I am currently not aware of any
> SITAzen who is dedicated to OS GIS (research or otherwise).****
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
> *From:* africa-bounces at lists.osgeo.org
> [mailto:africa-bounces at lists.osgeo.org] *On Behalf Of *S Coetzer
> *Sent:* 01 March 2012 08:39 AM
> *To:* chedberg at telkomsa.net; Africa local chapter discussions
> *Subject:* Re: [OSGeo Africa] Junior GIS Developer needed****
>
> ** **
>
> I understand what you are saying, on the other spectrum my new ArcGIS 10
> crashes on me everyday with an issue I am still yet to discover ( 4 months
> later unresolved)
>
> "Leading the pack" meant not in stability but in functionality the
> software provide the user at no cost.
>
> If you are on budget but want a software package that provides high end
> functionality then QGIS/Grass/Mapwindows is the answer ( there are others).
>
> ArcView 9 nothing is free, you can possibly draw buffers, ArcView10
> provides the user with an entire GEOPROCESSING tool (FREE at no cost) this
> is an attempt to stay in the market.
>
> I use both Arc and QGIS everyday and I can honestly say OSS can provide a
> low budget projects with vital GIS capabilities, for example:
> http://malareo-gis.wikispaces.com/
>
> Remember OSS is an *open sharing community*, if you find something
> difficult ask questions, if you find solutions post the solution back to
> the community. The strength in OSS doesnt ly in the programmer working till
> late on free software, it relies on a community to provide feedback and
> solutions.
>
>
>
> Sarel Coetzer
>
> ****
>
> On Thu, Mar 1, 2012 at 6:57 AM, Calle Hedberg <chedberg at telkomsa.net>
> wrote:****
>
> Hi,****
>
>  ****
>
> “OSS software is leading the proprietary pack” – well, that’s debatable,
> isn’t it? ****
>
>  ****
>
> I work for a global network (HISP) which has been developing FOSS software
> in the health sector for 14 years, and the user base has expanded from
> three health districts around Cape Town to now cover countries with around
> 1.8 bill people. But as to finding a reliable, reasonably powerful, and
> easy-to-use desktop FOSS GIS for “normal” users – well, let’s say it’s been
> a challenge. Web-based FOSS GIS is better, but still clearly limited in
> terms of functionality (we’ve ended up doing a lot of development ourselves
> to get something suitable).****
>
>  ****
>
> MapWindow, QGIS, etc – we’ve been using/testing them extensively over many
> years, and they are still driving us up the wall with their OS
> incompatibilities, incomprehensible crashes, and poor documentation. So we
> are still using ArcView / ArcGIS for most of our own fundamental GIS work
> (map/shapefile production), even if we are limited by the number of donated
> licenses we have. ArcGIS don’t let you down when you are working through
> the night to prepare a series of maps for presentation to the minister in
> the morning, if you get my drift….****
>
>  ****
>
> Regards****
>
> Calle Hedberg****
>
>  ****
>
>  ****
>
> *From:* africa-bounces at lists.osgeo.org [mailto:
> africa-bounces at lists.osgeo.org] *On Behalf Of *S Coetzer
> *Sent:* 29 February 2012 04:09 PM
> *To:* gavinjfleming at gmail.com; Africa local chapter discussions
> *Subject:* Re: [OSGeo Africa] Junior GIS Developer needed****
>
>  ****
>
> Thanks Gavin
>
> I remember those old docs (2007 - 2008). It will be nice to get current
> feedback of OSGEO mail "members" to see if they have promoted FOSS and to
> see what the current status in government is at the moment.
>
> There has been a trend and shift in the GIS applications of late. Open
> source products are bringing out great functionality and has caused
> propitiatory software to release some functionality for free or lose
> clientele.
>
> SQL server now has spatial extension (only couple years late)
> ArcGIS 10 now has free analysis tools where you had to pay in the past
> (thanks to QGIS/Grass which had it for past 5 years)
>
> It seems that OSS software is leading the propitiatory pack but yet
> organizations wants to pay license fees.
>
> Just sharing my thoughts
>
> Regards
> Sarel Coetzer ****
>
> On Wed, Feb 29, 2012 at 3:45 PM, Gavin <gavinjfleming at gmail.com> wrote:***
> *
>
> I'm also interested in Modiba's take, and of other SITA employees on this
> list.
>
> Here are some background docs to FOSS and interoperability policy in SA:
>
> http://www.sita.co.za/FOSS/FOSS1.html
>
> http://gissa.org.za/special-interest-groups/open-source/foss-documents
>
> I know from the SITA COO that she was hoping to have a FOSS GIS transition
> / rollout plan ready by the end of this financial year but that all the
> requirements were unlikely to be in place by then. So we should look
> forward to lots of SITA activity in this space in the coming year.
>
> Gavin****
>
>
>
> On Wed, 2012-02-29 at 13:36 +0200, S Coetzer wrote:****
>
> Hi Modiba
>
> Please provide us (OSGEO List users) with Sita's policy with regards to
> using FOSS products. Very curious on your take on this.
>
>
>
>
> Sarel Coetzer ****
>
> On Wed, Feb 29, 2012 at 12:26 PM, Modiba Ramohlale <
> modiba.ramohlale at sita.co.za> wrote:****
>
> I will have to agree with Greg.  I have guided two 'good' programmers
> who initially had no knowledge of GIS.  It took them less than 3 months
> to understand how ArcIMS was constructed as well as AXL et al.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: africa-bounces at lists.osgeo.org
> [mailto:africa-bounces at lists.osgeo.org] On Behalf Of Gregory Setei
> Sent: 29 February 2012 12:03 PM
> To: jeffy_ditsela at yahoo.com; Africa local chapterdiscussions;
> tsakane.baloyi at dpw.gov.za
> Subject: RE: [OSGeo Africa] Junior GIS Developer needed
>
> Dear Jeffy,
>
> I do have someone who is a Developer/ programmer, what he has no GIS
> background at this stage but he is willing to learn. His credentials
> include -Javascript
> -C#.
> .Net
> -SQL Server.
>
> If you can provide training on the ArcGIS programme, he will not
> disappoint you. His contact are 0739854916. His name is Grant Mandla
> Setei.
>
> Regards,
>
> Greg S
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: africa-bounces at lists.osgeo.org
> [mailto:africa-bounces at lists.osgeo.org] On Behalf Of
> jeffy_ditsela at yahoo.com
> Sent: 28 February 2012 03:51 PM
> To: africa at lists.osgeo.org; tsakane.baloyi at dpw.gov.za
> Subject: [OSGeo Africa] Junior GIS Developer needed
>
> Hi All,
>
> I need a GIS Developer a.s.a.p to be based in Pretoria Head Office of
> Department of Public Works.
> -Knowleage of ESRI ArcGIS Suite 9.3.1 or above -ASP.net -Javascript
> -C#.Net -SQL Server or Oracle DB -Proficient in OOP, Design patterns,
> best practices and be experience of SDLC.
>
> Willing to learn new technologies, team player and innovative.
>
> I am will to teach the potential candidate if she/he shortfall of the
> above requirements.
>
> Preferable be South African with a valid ID and just graduated from a
> reputable University but if Foreign Nationals,be ready with proper work
> documentation.
>
> Thanks and regards,
>
> Jeofrey Ditsela (www.tipp.co.za)
>
> Contact me @ jeffy_ditsela at yahoo.com or 083 895 8997 Sent from my
> BlackBerry(r) wireless device
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