[OSGeo-Discuss] Re: Use cases for FOSS-GIS in universities

[Daniel Ames]

To the contrary... many new FOSS4g solutions have very easy to use
GUI's. To name a few: QGIS, GVSIG, the latest GRASS effort, and
MapWindow... - Dan

On 5/12/07, Tim Michelsen <timmichelsen at gmx-topmail.de> wrote:
> Patrick Maué schrieb:
> > Hi Tim,
> >
> > I am not sure if using open source alternatives for education does
> > necessarily mean that your students learn more than just pressing
> > buttons in the right order. Actually, I guess this is one of the major
> > arguments against open source software:  it's the lack of user-friendly
> > interfaces which forces you to learn the underlying concepts to let the
> > software make what you want.
> ...
> > choice to challenge of using GRASS instead of ArcDesktop. I would like
> > to see that (the mandatory) GIS classes should not force any student to
> > learn the functionality of a software package, wether it's free software
> > or not.
> I can second that. For a normal user a system should be as user friendly
> as possible.
> But, as you also state, GIS systems are expert software which require
> some sort of understanding of the concept.
> Not like read the manual and off you go.
>
> To my observation, FOSS-GIS differs a lot from the proprietary software.
> If you are interested in FOSS you'd usually go and learn it by yourself.
> And this is not done simply by reading one tutorial. When doing team
> work all others rely on the software that was thought and is present in
> the labs. And when you are short of time due to a coming deadline you
> may just stick to what you already know...
>
> But these issues are really educational matters that seem to be of more
> interest for the edu_discuss ML.
> I put this topic here becuase I am looking for a more general approach.
> Like I described I think that software can be learned once qualified
> teaching personel is there. Therefore I'd like to know if it would be
> feasible to implement a geodata infrastructure for a whole university
> like I described in my first posting. This would avoid buying tons of
> licences of a standard product. The money saved could be spend (A) on
> the real reseach (e.g. soil samples) or (B) to have a local GIS
> developer adjust and develop the software to the needs of the research
> groups which would then help others, too.
>
> I think FOSS GIS companies have already implemented geodata
> infrastructures in various organisations like governments or companies.
> Could the experiences gained on that field be transfered to the academia?
>
> For example: A guy from another department is now looking at introduce
> GIS in his department. What he does is checking how many licences of
> Arc* he could get for his budget. Maybe he would consider his decision
> if he'd knew that he what services (gdi implementation, adaption,
> training courses) he could get from a FOSS GIS service provider for the
> same budget.
> None of the responsible people will launch a tender that a FOSS and
> proprietary vendors apply and the best wins!
>
> ESRI is offering student licences (= Arc* for free during your thesis).
> So, students get a software which they know from classes and on which
> their supervisors have confidence.
> What has FOSS to offer?
> A lot of software with a superbe licence! But a very steep learning
> curve. To my thinking the GRASS flyer which is currently in development
> will not much. People who know linux or have advanced computing skills
> may give it a try   (see above and previous posts). I can imagine that
> building up a mentoring network could help. Voluteering FOSS GIS gurus
> (in governmental authorities and companies) could mentor students or
> student groups that are interested. Some universities invite external
> experts to teach. Therefore I recommend to send a list of possible
> trainers in the specific country/region along when you start sending out
> flyers like the GRASS flyer.
>
> My university has not only fully equipped labs with Arc*. For remote
> sensing they rely (like many others) on the ITT stack (Envi, Idrisi,
> IDL). Once the licence is there it *has* to be used to justify the
> investment...
>
> And please remember that only a minority of users have high comutional
> skills. They have other things like in mind like getting samples from
> the fields, etc. (see Ari's mail).
>
> Kind regards,
> Tim
>
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-- 
Daniel P. Ames, PhD, PE
Dept of Geosciences
Idaho State University
amesdani at isu.edu
www.hydromap.com