Abstract, please look at.

[Gary Watry]

Hi

I am starting to put together a presentation for the Florida Joint Mapping
Conference. The American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
(ASPRS) Florida Region, is soliciting presentations for the Joint Mapping
Conference entitled "Accessing Geo-Spatial Data".  

Here is what I want to submit as a abstract

Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated
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Abstract

Open Source GIS Software and its potential use in the Post Grad Environment

One of the major issues that arise with the introduction of Geospatial
technology in a post-college education or research program is the inherent
cost of Commercial off-the-shelf software (COTS). The initial cost and
annual maintenance fees for most COTS, is hard to justify by the occasional
use of these applications in Non-GIS courses and research projects. The
introduction of Free Open Source Software (FOSS) at the college and
post-grad level will make available the powerful tools of Geospatial
analysis without the cost. As FOSS applications achieve parity and in many
cases exceed the capabilities of the comparative COTS tools, a valuable tool
is available to the grad student or research assistant. Once educated in the
usefulness and availability of FOSS applications, the individual would be
able to download, utilize, and then discard the appropriate GIS tools until
the next time they were useful. If and when the FOSS applications are not
capable of meeting the needs of the user, then and only then should the
individual be encouraged to examine COTS.  

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Thanks for any input
______________________________________________________________
Gary L. Watry

GIS Coordinator
Center for Ocean-Atmospheric Prediction Studies
FSU / COAPS
Johnson Building, RM 215
2035 East Paul Dirac Drive
Tallahassee, Florida 32306-2840
 
E-Mail: watry at coaps.fsu.edu