[GRASS-SVN] r31044 - grass-web/trunk/announces

[svn_grass at osgeo.org]

Author: hamish
Date: 2008-04-19 22:49:13 -0400 (Sat, 19 Apr 2008)
New Revision: 31044

Added:
   grass-web/trunk/announces/abstract_grass630.txt
Log:
release blurb (can it be cut down more?)

Added: grass-web/trunk/announces/abstract_grass630.txt
===================================================================
--- grass-web/trunk/announces/abstract_grass630.txt	                        (rev 0)
+++ grass-web/trunk/announces/abstract_grass630.txt	2008-04-20 02:49:13 UTC (rev 31044)
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+GRASS GIS releases version 6.3.0
+19 April 2008
+http://grass.osgeo.org
+
+GRASS 6.3.0 is a "technology preview" release, the first beta on the
+path to GRASS 6.4-stable, and also marks the start of work on GRASS 7.
+As such GRASS 6.3.0 is not intended to be a stable release with ongoing
+support, but after five months of quality-assurance review users can be
+confident to use this version for their day to day work, indeed due to
+the open development model many already do.
+
+This release brings hundreds of new module features, supported data
+formats, and language translations, as well as a number of exciting
+enhancements to the GIS. A prototype of the new wxPython user interface
+is debuted, and for the the first since its inception with a port from 
+the VAX 11/780 in 1983, GRASS will run on a non-UNIX based platform:
+MS-Windows. This is currently still in an experimental state and we hope
+that widespread testing of 6.3.0 will mean the 6.4 release of WinGRASS
+will be fully functional and robust. Existing users will be happy to
+know that these new features do not disrupt the base GIS which remains
+as solid as ever and fully backwards compatible with earlier GRASS 6.0
+and GRASS 6.2 releases.
+
+Several infrastructure changes accompany this release with the project
+becoming a founding member of the Open Source Geospatial Foundation
+(OSGeo). This includes a new home for the website, the Wiki help system,
+source code repository, community add-on module repository, integrated
+bug tracking system, and formal membership for the project in a non-profit
+legal entity. We hope that these changes will guarantee that the GRASS
+community will be well supported and vibrant well into the future.
+
+
+The Geographic Resources Analysis Support System (GRASS) is a Geographic
+Information System (GIS) used for spatial modeling, visualization of
+both raster and vector data, geospatial data management and analysis,
+processing of satellite and aerial imagery, and production of
+sophisticated presentation graphics and hardcopy maps. GRASS combines
+powerful raster, vector, and geospatial processing engines into a
+single integrated software package.
+
+The GRASS GIS project is developed under the terms of the GNU General
+Public License (the GPL) by volunteers the world over. GRASS differs
+from many other GIS software packages used in the professional world
+in that it is developed and distributed by users for users, mostly on
+a volunteer basis, in the open, and is given away for free. Emphasis
+is placed on interoperability and unlimited access to data as well as
+on software flexibility and evolution rate. The source code is freely
+available allowing for immediate customization, examination of the
+underlying algorithms, addition of new features, and fast bug fixing.
+
+GRASS is currently used around the world in academic and commercial
+settings as well as by many governmental agencies and environmental
+consulting companies.
+
+
+Software download at http://grass.osgeo.org/download/ and numerous
+mirror sites.
+
+Full story at http://grass.osgeo.org/announces/announce_grass630.html