[Live-demo] [Ica-osgeo-labs] OSGeo-Live in a training setting

Cameron Shorter cameron.shorter at gmail.com
Tue Jul 29 01:30:06 PDT 2014


Thanks Lluis, your description is very comprehensive, and a valuable, 
unbiased summary of OSGeo-Live's strengths and weaknesses in a teaching 
environment.

I expect this summary will be something that others will want to 
reference in future, and as such, I would like to copy it into a public 
location.
I'm thinking that we should either set up a testimony wiki page, or 
include testimonies in our existing history page. (I'm currently erring 
toward adding this testimony into the history page).

Does this make sense?

On 29/07/2014 2:10 am, Lluís Vicens wrote:
> On 19/06/14 23:19, Cameron Shorter wrote:
>> Hi Carson,
>> Thanks for the question re how OSGeo-Live should be used within a 
>> training setting.
>> This is a question we have received a few times now, and I'm 
>> interested to hear thoughts from others who have used, or wish to use 
>> OSGeoLive in an educational setting.
>>
>> What is are the key use cases we are aiming to address regarding use 
>> of OSGeo-Live in an educational setting, and in particular, what 
>> needs are required from an educator's perspective?
>>
>> Is a VM suitable?
>> What datasets are required?
>> Is a standard OSGeo-Live distribution sufficient, or do trainers need 
>> to download and install specific things for their course?
>
> Dear Cameron and others,
>
> I'll try to summarize our use of the OSGeo-Live in our educational 
> activities such as the Spanish FOSS4G workshop, summer school on GIS, 
> UNIGIS MSc ...
>
> As a global assessment, we must admit that we are pretty happy about  
> the overall behaviour of the OSGeo-Live. We have been using it in most 
> of the Spanish foss4g workshops[1], covering a broad range of issues 
> and themes such as GIS Desktop Workshops (QGIS, gvSIG, GRASS, PostGIS 
> and pgRouting, ... even JASPA), Programming workshops (Integration of 
> geospatial free technologies, Introduction to python for geospatial 
> applications, programming new applications for Sextante, ...), Web 
> Applications Workshops (Introduction to MapProxy, Developing Web 
> Applications with AngularJS and Leaflet, OpenLayers and GeoServer, 
> ...), and other specific workshops such as the integration of OSM data 
> + imposm + TileMill, ...
>
> We generally don't need to install extra packages and libraries but, 
> if need it, we can do it without arising too many problems. So, in 
> general terms, there are no remarkable problems installing new pieces 
> of software.
>
> Sometimes the tricky issue is that the host pc has low RAM memory, so 
> we can't assign more than 2Gb, to the virtual machine. But, I suppose 
> that this has nothing to do with the OSGeo-Live.
>
> We have intensively used the OSGeo-Live to conduct the whole Summer 
> School each July [2], with a pretty good performance. Sometimes, we 
> had some troubles with few machines (slow performance, some crashes, 
> etc...) but without a clear and concrete reason. Just happens. :)
>
> However, during this edition we encountered a problem with OpenJump 
> and PostGIS. Each time we tried to configure a new connection to a 
> PostGIS database, OpenJump started to freeze...
>
> Regarding to the datasets, we have been using Natural Earth data and 
> OSM data included on the distro, as well as some external datasets. 
> Nothing to mention in here. Good performance in every sense.
>
> Last but not least, within the UNIGIS MSc framework, we really 
> encourage students to make use of the OSGeo-Live DVD for their 
> assignments and practical work. UNIGIS is a online MSc so sometimes, 
> it's a little bit difficult to help students to properly install and 
> make use of the OSGeo-Live virtual disk. This could take some time but 
> nothing specially relevant. The big issue, for those who are not 
> familiar with a new OS, is to not enter in a state of panic the first 
> time they see a linux environment in front of their eyes... alone :)  
> In a face-to-face courses, this is more easy to handle than in an 
> online course but with a little bit of patience and positive attitude, 
> this is not a barrier.
>
> In summary, using OSGeo-Live virtual disk has a double positive 
> result: discovering and working with foss4g, as well as discovering a 
> new OS.
>
> Thanks to all the OSGeo-Live crew for their work and passion. Good job!
>
> [1] http://www.sigte.udg.edu/jornadassiglibre
> [2] http://www.sigte.udg.edu/summerschool2014/
>
>>
>> On 19/06/2014 9:36 am, Carson Farmer wrote:
>>> Hi Cameron, we aren't using it (right now), but it *has* been 
>>> discussed. Students will have access to their own virtual machine 
>>> during the course, so using the OSGeo-Live image is an option. Part 
>>> of the course involves installing some of the required apps, so we 
>>> weren't sure if we wanted to go with the pre-installed stuff on 
>>> OSGeo-Live... having said that, I guess we could work with a 
>>> modified version. Any thoughts on this? Additionally, we will be 
>>> *telling* students about OSGeo-Live, and they will leave with that 
>>> as a resource.
>>>
>>> Cheers,
>>>
>>> Carson
>>>
>>>
>>> On Wed, Jun 18, 2014 at 6:08 PM, Cameron Shorter 
>>> <cameron.shorter at gmail.com <mailto:cameron.shorter at gmail.com>> wrote:
>>>
>>>     Hi Suchith,
>>>     Will this course make use of OSGeo-Live? If so I'd be keen to
>>>     add the details to our history page:
>>>     http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Live_GIS_History
>>>
>>>     Keeping track of how OSGeo-Live is used provides the motivation
>>>     and business justifications people and organisations use to
>>>     justify contributing to OSGeo-Live.
>>>
>>>     I'd also like to hear from any others making use of OSGeo-Live
>>>     such that we can add your use to this page.
>>>
>>>
>>>     On 18/06/2014 10:57 pm, Suchith Anand wrote:
>>>>
>>>>     *From:*carsten.kessler at gmail.com
>>>>     <mailto:carsten.kessler at gmail.com>
>>>>     [mailto:carsten.kessler at gmail.com] *On Behalf Of *Carsten Kessler
>>>>     *Sent:* 18 June 2014 13:45
>>>>     *To:* ucgis-all
>>>>     *Subject:* Free and Open Source GIS course – Aug 4–8 @ Hunter
>>>>     College, NYC
>>>>
>>>>     Dear all,
>>>>
>>>>     we will be offering a five day professional training course on
>>>>     FOSS GIS at Hunter college, NYC, the first week of August:
>>>>     http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/ce/gis
>>>>
>>>>     Feel free to forward the course description below to potential
>>>>     participants.
>>>>
>>>>     Best,
>>>>
>>>>     Carsten Kessler
>>>>
>>>>     *FREE AND OPEN SOURCE GIS*
>>>>
>>>>     *August 4 to August 8, 2014, 9 AM to 5 PM*
>>>>
>>>>     The Department of Geography at Hunter College of the City
>>>>     University of New York and Hunter Continuing Education are
>>>>     offering a five day professional course in
>>>>     *Free and Open Source GIS*. This five day course will span the
>>>>     entire range of GIS data capture, management, analysis, and
>>>>     visualization of geographic information
>>>>     using Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). These different
>>>>     elements of the GIS workflow will be discussed over the first
>>>>     four days and will then be applied in a final project completed
>>>>     on Friday. The course will combine lectures with hands-on
>>>>     sessions where participants will work with
>>>>     different free and open source GIS packages. Since we expect
>>>>     participants from many different organizations in the tri-state
>>>>     area, this training course also presents an excellent
>>>>     networking opportunity.
>>>>
>>>>     The course is designed for experienced GIS users who want to
>>>>     broaden their skill set with expertise in the ever-growing
>>>>     world of free and open source GIS. Participants are expected to
>>>>     have a technical background and an interest in developing
>>>>     comprehensive workflows using multiple software components.
>>>>     While we do not require any programming experience, we will be
>>>>     working on the command line and developing some small scripts.
>>>>     Participants should be eager to master these valuable skills.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>         _Instructors_
>>>>         Carson Farmer and Carsten Kessler are Associate Directors
>>>>         of the Center for Advanced Research of Spatial Information
>>>>         (CARSI Lab) and Assistant Professors for Geographic
>>>>         Information Science in the Department of Geography at
>>>>         Hunter College ‐ CUNY.
>>>>
>>>>     Carson <http://carsonfarmer.com/> has been working
>>>>     with open source GIS projects, including as core developer for
>>>>     QGIS, since 2007. His research interests revolve around
>>>>     movements and flows of individuals, information, and
>>>>     commodities within urban environments, and the development and
>>>>     implementation of novel spatial analysis methods and software
>>>>     aimed at characterizing these flows.
>>>>
>>>>     Carsten <http://carsten.io/> has extensive experience in
>>>>     projects around open data and the exchange of geographic
>>>>     information, both in international research projects and as a
>>>>     consultant. His research interests are in the areas of
>>>>     information integration, volunteered geographic information,
>>>>     emergency management, and collaborative and participatoryGIS.
>>>>
>>>>     Both instructors will be present for the duration of the course
>>>>     to support the participants in the hands-on exercises.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>         _Location, registration and fees_
>>>>         The course will be held at the Department of Geography's
>>>>         computer lab in the Hunter North building at Lexington and
>>>>         68th Street, Manhattan. Registration fee for this course is
>>>>         $1800 and includes access to computers and server space to
>>>>         run the exercises.
>>>>
>>>>     For more detailed information or to register, visit
>>>>     http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/ce/gisor contact the Hunter
>>>>     Continuing Education office at 212-650-3850
>>>>     <tel:212-650-3850> or ce at hunter.cuny.edu
>>>>     <mailto:ce at hunter.cuny.edu> .
>>>>
>>>>     ---
>>>>
>>>>     Carsten Kessler – http://carsten.io
>>>>
>>>>     Center for Advanced Research of Spatial Information
>>>>
>>>>     Department of Geography
>>>>
>>>>     Hunter College – CUNY
>>>>
>>>>     695 Park Avenue
>>>>
>>>>     New York, NY-10065
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>     _______________________________________________
>>>>     ica-osgeo-labs mailing list
>>>>     ica-osgeo-labs at lists.osgeo.org  <mailto:ica-osgeo-labs at lists.osgeo.org>
>>>>     http://lists.osgeo.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/ica-osgeo-labs
>>>
>>>     -- 
>>>     Cameron Shorter,
>>>     Software and Data Solutions Manager
>>>     LISAsoft
>>>     Suite 112, Jones Bay Wharf,
>>>     26 - 32 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont NSW 2009
>>>
>>>     P+61 2 9009 5000  <tel:%2B61%202%209009%205000>,  Wwww.lisasoft.com  <http://www.lisasoft.com>,  F+61 2 9009 5099  <tel:%2B61%202%209009%205099>
>>>
>>>
>>>     _______________________________________________
>>>     ica-osgeo-labs mailing list
>>>     ica-osgeo-labs at lists.osgeo.org
>>>     <mailto:ica-osgeo-labs at lists.osgeo.org>
>>>     http://lists.osgeo.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/ica-osgeo-labs
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> -- 
>>> Dr. Carson J. Q. Farmer
>>> Associate Director, CARSI <http://www.carsilab.org/>
>>> Assistant Professor
>>> Department of Geography
>>> Hunter College & Graduate Center, CUNY
>>> 695 Park Avenue
>>> New York, NY, 10065
>>> carsonfarmer at gmail.com <mailto:carsonfarmer at gmail.com>
>>> @carsonfarmer <https://twitter.com/carsonfarmer>
>>> http://carsonfarmer.com
>>
>> -- 
>> Cameron Shorter,
>> Software and Data Solutions Manager
>> LISAsoft
>> Suite 112, Jones Bay Wharf,
>> 26 - 32 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont NSW 2009
>>
>> P +61 2 9009 5000,  Wwww.lisasoft.com,  F +61 2 9009 5099
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> ica-osgeo-labs mailing list
>> ica-osgeo-labs at lists.osgeo.org
>> http://lists.osgeo.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/ica-osgeo-labs
>
>
> -- 
> Lluís Vicens
>
> SIGTE - Universitat de Girona
> Pl. Ferrater Mora, 1
> 17071   Girona

-- 
Cameron Shorter,
Software and Data Solutions Manager
LISAsoft
Suite 112, Jones Bay Wharf,
26 - 32 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont NSW 2009

P +61 2 9009 5000,  W www.lisasoft.com,  F +61 2 9009 5099

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