As a very interested lurker, and as one who has developed an Open Source Computer-Aided-Dispatch system that has embedded google's maps product, I can tell you that one of the deterrents I see is the relative complexity of an Open Source GIS implementation - as compared to the use of GMaps, which also, of course and notably, is free. The single source of both the tiles as well as the API is relatively straightforward for the non-cartographer novice.<br>
<br>My user community includes a fair-sized portion who have never before implemented a web-server-based system, and our package is designed to minimize the number of elements that need separate collection and configuration. To tell them that they need a map server in addition to the stack that WAMP, XAMPP, MAMP, installs in a single executable will turn away too many candidates, IMO. In our case, the tile-serving capabilities could be met by a rather limited set of server-side functions that are OL-aware. But I haven't seen anything like that in the panoply of products that comprises the OSGeo world. Please correct me on this if such exits.<br>
<br>(Further evidence of the importance of the ease-of-implementation issue is the proliferation of open source libraries that include capabilities taht are based on a GMaps foundation.)<br><br>I will say that my users - many of whom are into emergency operations - indeed are asking for an implementation that wd allow operation while disconnected from the Internet. Impossible in a GMaps-based solution, but completely feasible in one based on OpenLayers plus locally stored OSM tiles. Users I've pointed to the available OSM sites have told me that the level of detail wd be completely satisfactory as a suitable replacement for GMaps. Which is a critically important data point, IMO.<br>
<br>My perception of the current evolution of the world of Open Source GIS is toward greater complexity and richness. Which certainly makes for excitement and challenge for its enthusiasts; but that isn't doing much for those of us along the borders looking over the fences, and with limited hours available to hop that fence and get involved.<br>
<br>Make entry easier than it is, folks. Please?<br><br>A. Shore<br>Annapolis, MD<br><br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Wed, Sep 16, 2009 at 5:09 PM, Ravi <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:ravivundavalli@yahoo.com">ravivundavalli@yahoo.com</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">Hi,<br>
have been going through all the wishes, all the arguments about how Open Source GIS must evolve etc. ...<br></blockquote></div>