FOSS GIS Web Service products

[John Roberts]

Dear All

I am currently studying for a Master's degree in GIS with UNIGIS. I am
currently doing my dissertation which evaluates the main FOSS GIS web
service products (GeoServer, MapServer, Deegree Web Services & MapGuide Open
Source). I propose to compare and contrast the four products using the OWS
specifications.

I have taken the main part of my dissertation and created a document which:
1. summarises the OWS specifications (chapters 1 to 4).
2. summarises the organisational structure and functionality of the four
products (chapter 5).
3. creates a matrix based on the OWS specifications against which each
product is compared (chapter 6).

I have trimmed down the document for MapServer by removing the sections
pertaining to the other 3 products. I am unable to attach the document due
to the mailing list restrictions on maximum message size. Therefore anybody
who is interested in reading the document and in offering any
comments/corrections, please e-mail me directly and I will send you a copy
immediately. I have highlighted any area I am not sure of in yellow. I am
mainly looking for input as follows (in order of importance):

1. Chapter 6, the OWS matrix. There is alot of functionality which I am not
sure if MapServer supports (such as GetStyles, PutStyles). I have tried to
gather as much information from the website as possible. However time
limitations has meant that I have not been able to investigate each product
as much as I would have liked.
2. Chapter 5, organisational structure. I have gathered as much information
from the website as I could find but I still have some queries.
3. Chapters 1 to 4, OWS specifications. I feel I have got most of the
information correct here but would welcome anybody who has the time to go
through this text.

I will acknowledge anybody who provides input in the acknowledgements
section of my dissertation. If the input is straightforward functionality
(e.g. MapServer supports WFS GetCapabilities) then I would use the
information and I would not make an explicit reference. However, if I wanted
to make an explicit reference (for example if I am referring to a more
subjective comment with regard to the relative pros and cons of the 4
products) then I would contact the person again to ask his/her permission.

I am going to post similar documents for the other 3 products on their
mailing lists. Once everything is complete, I would like to post the final
document with information on all four products on the four mailing list.

Thank you all very much in advance for any time you are able to give.

Kind Regards

John Roberts
Manchester, UK