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

[Lucena, Ivan]

Frank,

Just a bit of information that could be useful.

In Brazil they issued a Linux distribution packed with several open 
source scientific application and most of then was GIS and Image 
processing related, Statistical packages were also included. GDAL, GRASS 
included of course but also include SPRING and TerraLib and TerraPHP.

What I want to point out is that INPE has a long history (since 1998) of 
distribution it free GIS and since INPE is a OSGeo partner I think we 
should include their software in that initiative.

Gilberto Camara, the president of INPE (also a programmer :) ) just 
delivered a speech at UN addressing Open Source GIS as a tool to make 
satellite image information accessible to pour and developing nations.

http://www.inpe.br/ingles/news/news_dest14.php

Best regards,

Ivan




Frank Warmerdam wrote:
> 
> Folks,
> 
> I'm not sure I have a lot to add to this thread, but it is a topic close to
> my heart, so I will chime in.
> 
> I think Venka's idea of a standalone CD set for OSGeo software packages
> on Ubuntu is a great idea.  I especially appreciate the fact that it builds
> on the existing great work of the DebianGIS team (ported to Ubuntu from the
> Debian source packages as I understand).
> 
> I am sensitive to the issue that OSGeo can't very practically pick one
> Linux distribution and ignore all the rest.  So I'm not sure that this
> effort will be the ultimate solution to OSGeo software for Linux, but it
> is practical and achievable in the short to medium term.  Delivering a
> product CD based on Ubuntu builds on a popular distribution and is
> particularly sympatico with the conference given the south african
> origins of Ubuntu.
> 
> It seems to me there are a few angles on which we can work this topic.
> 
> 1) rough out a plan of the sort of stack of software we want to offer,
> potentially tied to the education material and use cases we are trying
> to support.
> 
> 2) Review what is missing from this in DebianGIS and try to find volunteers
> to help the DebianGIS project package the appropriate software.  There is
> a fair amount of expertise needed for Debian packaging (IMHO), but a few
> volunteers willing to invest 30-50 hours over the coming 6-7 months could
> make quite a difference.  But we need to realize DebianGIS is a well
> established project with it's own culture and expectations and be prepared
> to work within this.
> 
> It might be helpful for OSGeo to maintain a Debian system (as a VM or a
> whole blade) to provide a working and testing environment for folks who
> don't run Debian at home/work.
> 
> 3) Find out what is needed to bring UbuntuGIS up to the appropriate 
> packages.
> I don't know what people are involved in UbuntuGIS or how they operate.  My
> understanding is that for major new Ubuntu releases the UbuntuGIS packages
> are built from the DebianGIS source packages.
> 
> 4) Putting this together on CD/DVD is where the rubber hits the road.  It
> would be great if Venka can lead this aspect, but I'm sure he would
> appreciate help.  There is no reason that a first draft of this can't
> be prepared based on existing packages.
> 
> One cool things is that Debian, and regular network based Ubuntu uses also
> all benefit from the upstream efforts.  I love this sort of leverage!
> 
> -- 
> 
> I'm not sure what OSGeo can do to facilitate this activity.  We obviously
> can't direct volunteers, only encourage them.  We don't have funding
> targeted for such an effort.  However, if a modest amount of money
> could make a big difference I might be able to scare some up.
> 
> I'm confident we can provide mailing lists, wiki space, server space,
> and bandwidth if these are helpful.
> 
> I have cc:ed Frankie, the DebianGIS lead, in the hopes he could comment
> on how we can help support the DebianGIS effort.
> 
> Best regards,