[OSGeo-Discuss] packaging FOSS GIS for Ubuntu in education

[Lorenzo Becchi]

Cameron analysis is clear and well centered to me.
With others, we've started trying to do something in this direction 
since one year ago.
it is clear to us that if we base the development of such a platform on 
volunteers, we will need a long time to succeed. loooong time.
If we want something for the next year, an investment in time and money 
is needed.
I know geeks capable to do the technical part (see: Luca, Jachym and 
Frankie) but I don't know who's interested to invest enough money on 
such a project.

with Luca, as a challenge, we've decided to make a donation program for 
our liveCd. In one year we've collected around 500€ (200 are mine) and 
we barely pay bandwidth, for the external host. This is just an example, 
we are not the only ones, but it's clear that without investments there 
will be poor future for such a thing.
from the other side, downloads are growing continuously.

try to search for "GIS live Cd" on google, and try to list projects that 
made more then one distro for longer then a year. Please, don't stop 
reading google list, go and see those pages, most of projects barely 
have a home page or are off since long.

ciao
Lorenzo




Cameron Shorter wrote:
> Gavin, I think the time is ripe to consolidate upon this goal.
> I'd like to expand the goal a bit and then break it down into 
> achievable steps.
>
> *The goal:*
> Powerful, Simple, Used, Integrated, Open Source Geospatial Applications
>
> *Current status*
> We already have powerful applications, but we still need geeks if you 
> want to install and then use a full stack of OSGeo software.
> Our applications are often easy to install by themselves, but project 
> release schedules are independent of each other and it is hard to keep 
> up with which versions of software work with each other.
> Documentation and training material is still in an early phase. This 
> material needs to be cross project, and matched to the software 
> versions too.
>
> *Key Steps*
> *Set up project version dependency table*
> A table which lists for each project version, the other project 
> versions it depends upon.
> This dependency table can be used by UbuntuGIS, DebianGIS, liveCD, a 
> windows packager etc.
> For this we should be able to tap into expertise from liveCD and linux 
> distribution communities.
> Once this dependency table exists, the onus on maintaining it will 
> become the responsibility of projects (and become an entry criteria 
> for OSGeo projects).
> For efficiency, it would probably help to set a release timetable for 
> snap shots of the dependency list, which should be timed to link with 
> with other distributions.
>
> *OSGeo Workshops & Tutorials*
> * I see an immediate opportunity to present OSGeo Workshops at 
> Geospatial Conferences. Agencies want to learn about OSGeo, and 
> workshops are a great advertising tool for companies looking for OSGeo 
> work.
> * Together we can collectively build some quality documentation here, 
> and we have the resources (potential presenters) to develop the 
> documentation.
> * These workshops require a stable set of software, so should be able 
> to seed the dependency table as well.
>
> *Further documentation*
> Comprehensive documentation which has already started in the education 
> committee should be able to tap into and get a boost from the 
> workshops and tutorials. I'll let others comment on the path this 
> should take.
>
>
> Gavin Fleming wrote:
>> While Venka is on the topic of packaging FOSS GIS for Ubuntu, I'd like
>> to put a niche request / challenge to the community.
>>
>> High schools in South Africa and elsewhere need a FOSS alternative to
>> use and teach GIS, which is a compulsory part of the syllabus from this
>> year. FOSS GIS at present is too inaccessible. My challenge is to have a
>> packaged CD for Ubuntu to launch at FOSS4G2008 in Cape Town. This CD (or
>> DVD) would have:
>>
>> -one-click installation for Linux, Windows or Mac.
>> -Integrated software stack so teachers and learners have to launch a
>> minimal number of applications
>> -Simplified and customised GUIs to lower the entry threshold.
>> -for teachers to teach curriculum requirements of GIS
>> -for teachers to use GIS to teach geography and other subjects
>> -for learners to use for hands-on work
>> -Free, integrated global and local data package
>> -excellent documentation
>> -framework for local contributors to structure and contribute exercises,
>> lessons, etc. -central website for resources -possible advanced 
>> options for network deployment, more sophisticated
>> users, 'computer studies' learners (i.e. developers), school web map
>> services, etc.
>>
>> Any takers?
>>
>> Gavin
>>
>>
>