[postgis-users] ESRI GDB format into PostGIS

[Simon Greener]

Frank,

> Are you suggesting that Manifold GIS has reverse engineered the file
> geodatabase format?  Can you provide any pointers supporting that?
> If those guys can reverse engineer it, then so could we given enough
> desire.

I probably misread the initial email confusing File for Personal (Access) and Enterprise (SDE). As I have said in other emails, Manifold 8.0.x supports the latter but not, as yet, the former. The up and coming 9.0 beta might change this.

> I too am disappointed that ESRI declared they would provide open access
> to file geodatabases, and then let the actually follow through drag on
> for years after they came into initial use.  However, I do believe they
> are contemplating a reasonably open API - possibly source included.  They
> have also been considering support for an FDO and/or OGR provider.  I'm
> a bit vague on the current plan but they are aware of these possibilities
> and are interested in doing them.   So don't be so sure about what will
> never happen.

I've blogged on this in reference to The Shapefile 2.0 Manifesto. My views on ESRI and File GeoDatabases are probably best summarised on that page.

ESRI's fascination with creating proprietary file formats is, quite frankly, childish. But great "command and control" marketing.

http://www.spatialdbadvisor.com/blog/121/the-shapefile-manifesto

regards
Simon
-- 
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