[OSGeo-Discuss] Next 5 years for OSGeo

Tue Sep 15 08:26:11 PDT 2009

Rene wrote: "If we 
were to produce a comprehensive suite of tools offering the standard 
analytical tools as well as some more advanced ones, then these 
proprietary offerings wouldn't look as appealing. Moreover, if we had a 
consolidated toolset which could be used on a multitude of project we 
would not have to re-invent the wheel for each separate project. 
Currently, proprietary software generally offers advanced analytic 
capability out-of-the-box and open source software does not. I see this 
as a bit of a stumbling block."

These are good comments Rene, but I think it is good to consider this issue in the context of our overall strategy to "compete" with proprietary GIS software.

It is unlikely that we will ever have the resources as a community to keep up with someone like ESRI or Autodesk on functionality. They've got an army of paid programmers at their disposal. 

I think a better strategy is the one we are already following: Put into place a framework that allows people to easily build their own tools, or to add their own functionality. This is something very difficult to do with proprietary software, because they want you to pay for those upgrades, they don't want you building your own (in most cases). You also don't get to look at the guts of the software, which can make it harder to understand how the program works and the best way to extend it.

This strategy means we need to focus on a different type of customer. I don't think we should be looking for the GIS user that wants a free ESRI clone. We should be looking for the GIS user that wants the freedom to expand his software's capabilities, or to work with other users to solve a common problem in their "domain". We need to foster a community of that type of user, and make it as easy as we can for them to migrate from power user to hobby coder.

The real power in computers is not out-of-the-box software that does a million (plus one) things, but software that allows you to do exactly what you need.

This is just my own opinion. When I think about how to make OpenJUMP successful I know I have to compete on the program's strengths. OJ is never going offer all the functionality that ArcView does. However, it can offer a lot that ArcView doesn't, and I want to go after the user that is looking for those things that are missing in his proprietary software.

Landon
Office Phone Number: (209) 946-0268
Cell Phone Number: (209) 992-0658

-----Original Message-----
From: discuss-bounces at lists.osgeo.org [mailto:discuss-bounces at lists.osgeo.org] On Behalf Of "René A. Enguehard"
Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 2:35 PM
To: OSGeo Discussions
Subject: Re: [OSGeo-Discuss] Next 5 years for OSGeo

What I'd like to see within the next 5 years would be more analytical 
tools. Most of the projects in OSGeo are very much enablers: they put 
the facilities in place for people to program their own tools. However, 
as I have noticed over the years, people are reluctant to move to open 
source implementations of geospatial software because they are, in 
effect, losing capabilities. Yes, there is still the potential for the 
same capabilities to be put back in, but the fact remains they just 
aren't there. For example, I have never seen any MCDA, PCA, HotSpot 
Analysis, CART or neural network tools in open source packages. If we 
were to produce a comprehensive suite of tools offering the standard 
analytical tools as well as some more advanced ones, then these 
proprietary offerings wouldn't look as appealing. Moreover, if we had a 
consolidated toolset which could be used on a multitude of project we 
would not have to re-invent the wheel for each separate project. 
Currently, proprietary software generally offers advanced analytic 
capability out-of-the-box and open source software does not. I see this 
as a bit of a stumbling block.

Another thing, and I was chatting about this in the lab today, is that 
for particular needs, open source implementations of geospatial software 
generally don't have much to offer. The generic capabilities are there, 
or at least enabled for others to program, but special-needs cases there 
is not much. The example used today in the lab was CARIS HIPS or SIPS. 
What, if anything, exists in the open source community that could come 
close to the processing capabilities of this?

Still another area with a lack of development is 3D and 4D modeling / 
rendering / analysis, something like ESRI ArcGlobe with the 3D Analyst 
package or Myriax Eonfusion. There has been very little work in these 
domains which are of particular interest to me. Perhaps the amount of 
people working in these areas is much smaller than the amount of people 
using something more like general analytic capabilities, but it is an 
area that "needs work" nonetheless.

The point, and I'd like to make this clear, is not the I'm bemoaning the 
lack of features and projects in the open source community. I think 
OSGeo and the open source community have done a tremendous job and 
should feel, rightfully, proud at what they have accomplished. However, 
when asked what I'd like to see on the agenda for OSGeo, this is it. I'd 
like to see a hard push towards analytics to make the various projects 
we have to offer more directly useful to the average GIS user. In the 
end, it's really about market penetration. The more useful open source 
software is, the better a "deal" it looks like to outsiders and the more 
people we'll attract.

Please note: I don't presume to speak for anyone but myself, IANAL, just 
my two cents, your mileage may vary, et cetera, et cetera, ad nauseam.

Tyler Mitchell (OSGeo) wrote:
> Hi everyone, a recent chat I was asked about our vision for OSGeo over
> the next 3 and 5 years.  I'd really like to hear thoughts on the matter
> and pool a few of the ideas together for further discussions amongst
> committees, projects, chapters and the board.  
>
> It's also a good way for the board nominees in the upcoming election to
> get a sense of where other members are thinking these days.
>
> Best wishes,
> Tyler
>
> _______________________________________________
> Discuss mailing list
> Discuss at lists.osgeo.org
> http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
>   

_______________________________________________
Discuss mailing list
Discuss at lists.osgeo.org
http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss

Warning:
Information provided via electronic media is not guaranteed against defects including translation and transmission errors. If the reader is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this information in error, please notify the sender immediately.