OGRS 2009: International Opensource Geospatial Research Symposium www.ogrs2009.org From a niche to a global user community: Open Source GIS and OSGeo Markus Neteler IASMA Research and Innovation Centre Fondazione Edmund Mach Environment and Natural Resources Area GIS and Remote Sensing Unit, Trento, Italy Web: http://gis.fem-environment.eu/ Email: markus.neteler . iasma.it Geographical Information Systems (GIS) have evolved from a highly specialized niche to a technology that affects nearly every aspect of our lives, from finding driving directions to managing natural disasters. The masses have discovered geospatial data and technologies through the availability of popular globes; wiki-fied street mapping which was started by a few individuals has grown to weekly mapping parties around the globe. Today almost everybody can create customized maps or overlay GIS data. Current GIS technology covers viewing maps and images on the web, simple and complex spatial analysis, modeling and simulations. In our presentation we'll present highlights of the last 20 years of Open Source GIS developments. Many projects are born as initiative of individuals when the lack of available software for a specific application is solved by own development and the result is then made available to the public on the Internet for further collaborative development. In the early 80's, the first Open Source GIS (MOSS and GRASS GIS) reached production status followed by the PROJ4 library project, a first crucial library for many Open Source GIS applications. In 1995 the UMN MapServer project was started to implement OGC standard. The second cross-project library GDAL/OGR was born in 1998. While these projects became mature, new applications were started with partially extraordinary success (OpenEV, OSSIM, MapBuilder, PostGIS, Geoserver, Quantum GIS, uDIG, MapGuide Open Source, MapBender, gvSIG, Geonetwork and OpenLayers). The wealth of available but partially unconnected projects suggested to establish an umbrella foundation to foster source code and knowledge sharing. Hence, in February 2006, the Open Source Geospatial Foundation (OSGeo, www.osgeo.org) has been created to support and promote worldwide use and collaborative development of Open Source geospatial technologies and data. The foundation supports outreach and advocacy activities to promote Open Source concepts. It also builds shared infrastructure for improved cross-project collaboration. OSGeo has been a stimulating force for cooperative developments of sister projects, leveraging each other efforts by developing shared architecture components and expanding interoperability. To become an OSGeo member, the software project needs to undergo a rigorous review of its source code, development structure and community health. In these community-developed projects a whole “ecosystem” of users, translators, developers, and provides quick support and tested solutions, both for beginners and professionals. In our opinion, Open Source GIS is an appropriate choice for scientific computing as it is developed in a peer review process. We will show some case studies for GRASS GIS usage in research which illustrates its academic roots especially in environmental applications. This covers analysis of spatio-temporal data sets such as multi-temporal Lidar and remote sensing data including processing of large amounts of geospatial data on a cluster.

1. Markus Neteler
Fondazione E Mach - CRI
Italy, neteler@cealp.it
From a niche to a global
user community:
Markus Neteler: From a niche to a global user community:
Open Source GIS and OSGeo
Open Source GIS and OSGeo - Nantes, 8-10 July 2009
Opensource Geospatial Research Symposium
Nantes, 8-10 July 2009
http://www.ogrs2009.org

2. The early days of open source GIS:
pre-Internet times...
1987: William Shatner narrates ...
Markus Neteler: From a niche to a global user community:
Open Source GIS and OSGeo - Nantes, 8-10 July 2009
1978: MOSS
1982: GRASS GIS
OSGeo
1990 1992 1994 2004 2006
GRASS Interagency Open GRASS Open GIS Open Geospatial
Steering Commitee Foundation (OGF) Consortium (OGC) Consortium (OGC)

3. Open Source GIS WWW
Timeline Civil Internet
Openlayers
MapGuide OS
Mapbuilder
Mapbender
Communities
gvSIG
developing
Markus Neteler: From a niche to a global user community:
software QGIS
Open Source GIS and OSGeo - Nantes, 8-10 July 2009
GEOS
Geonetwork
PostGIS
OSSIM
GDAL/OGR
deegree
UMN Mapserver
PROJ4
GRASS GIS
MOSS
1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010
http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Open_Source_GIS_History#Timeline

4. Connecting the OSGeo stack
Portability, interoperability
Web Processing
Geostatistics Service
Predictive View
modeling Interact
Markus Neteler: From a niche to a global user community:
Teach
Open Source GIS and OSGeo - Nantes, 8-10 July 2009
raster Spatial
External
vector
GRASS Analysis
data Modeling
Visualize
Database
engine:
Tables,
attributes DBF

5. Open Source GIS....
What you can do with
Markus Neteler: From a niche to a global user community:
Open Source GIS and OSGeo - Nantes, 8-10 July 2009

6. Visualization: GRASS data export
to Paraview and Povray
Markus Neteler: From a niche to a global user community:
Open Source GIS and OSGeo - Nantes, 8-10 July 2009
Stereo rendering in
Paraview (www.paraview.org)
Povray rendering (www.povray.org): adding clouds and haze

7. Raster and 3D vector
Elevation model combined
with extruded 3D buildings;
also true 3D vector supported
Markus Neteler: From a niche to a global user community:
Open Source GIS and OSGeo - Nantes, 8-10 July 2009
Trento, Italy
Optional: KML export for
virtual globes

8. Viewshed analysis with GRASS
New, extremely fast viewshed algorithm (yet in GRASS-Addons): r.viewshed
Comparison on a 5m
Lidar based DEM (left
Markus Neteler: From a niche to a global user community:
map) – calculation
time:
Open Source GIS and OSGeo - Nantes, 8-10 July 2009
- common command:
r.los: 4.5h
- rewritten:
r.viewshed: 18 sec
Viewsheds include
Earth curvature
5km
Viewshed from
Dos Trento

9. 2D and 3D interpolation in GRASS
2D
Interpolation
Contour
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lines
3D
Open Source GIS and OSGeo - Nantes, 8-10 July 2009
Interpolation
(voxel)
v.vol.rst
wcolumn=sigma_v
b
v a
From D. Francisci (2009): Fabric Analysis in Archaeology

10. Google SoC 2007:
Map generalisation in GRASS
Generalisation:
Of contour lines (reduction
of points to improve
interpolation quality)
Lines and polygons
supported; 10 algorithms
Daniel Bundala, Student
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Wolf Bergenheim, Mentor
Open Source GIS and OSGeo - Nantes, 8-10 July 2009
Point reduction from 40000
to 3000 vertices.
Interpolation runs
8 times faster while
artefacts are reduced
Study: Helena Mitasova

11. Lidar data analysis in GRASS GIS
Multi-return
Lidar data
Available Methods:
Markus Neteler: From a niche to a global user community:
- cell based statistics
- binning
Open Source GIS and OSGeo - Nantes, 8-10 July 2009
- spatial approximation
- smoothing
Use cases:
- topographic analysis
- Feature extraction (Separation DEM/DSM)
H. Mitasova, NCSU
M. Brovelli, PdM, Como

12. MODIS LST reconstruction:
infection diseases risk mapping
LST derived indices relevant for disease monitoring and
risk modeling (through time series analysis in GIS):
● late frost periods: relevant for masting of trees and
seed production J. Lindsey
● growing degree days (GDD) for phenological status
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Disease vector (ticks, mice, mosquitoes)
Open Source GIS and OSGeo - Nantes, 8-10 July 2009
life cycle parameters: CDC
● hot/cold summers through mean temperature differences
● autumnal temperature decrease, spring warming
● annual/monthly temperature minima/maxima
Land Surface Temperature [°C]

13. MODIS Land Surface Temperature
(LST) reconstruction: filtered map
Northern Italy – Southern Alps
Markus Neteler: From a niche to a global user community:
Open Source GIS and OSGeo - Nantes, 8-10 July 2009
Neteler, in prep.

14. MODIS Land Surface Temperature
(LST) reconstruction: reconstructed map
Northern Italy – Southern Alps
Markus Neteler: From a niche to a global user community:
Open Source GIS and OSGeo - Nantes, 8-10 July 2009
Neteler, in prep.

15. MODIS Land Surface Temperature
(LST) reconstruction: Differences
Northern Italy – Southern Alps
Markus Neteler: From a niche to a global user community:
Open Source GIS and OSGeo - Nantes, 8-10 July 2009
Neteler, in prep.

16. MODIS Land Surface Temperature
(LST) reconstruction: Time Series
14°C
MODIS LST
- original
Markus Neteler: From a niche to a global user community:
- reconstructed
Open Source GIS and OSGeo - Nantes, 8-10 July 2009
-2°C
14°C
Meteostation
(pixel position)
-2°C
Neteler, in prep.
January 2007

17. MODIS LST reconstruction:
data and software
MODIS sensor on Terra and Aqua satellites
Data freely available from NASA/USGS
Delivered in HDF format, in SIN projection (product. level V005)
Series of products is made available by NASA:
Batch
Land surface temperature (LST) processing
Markus Neteler: From a niche to a global user community:
Vegetation indices (NDVI and EVI) on Grid
Open Source GIS and OSGeo - Nantes, 8-10 July 2009
Engine:
Snow cover maps 1460 LST
LAI/FPAR ... and 40 further products maps/year for
>8 years
Linux cluster
Data processing: OSGeo stack
PROJ4, GDAL, GRASS GIS
MODIS processing chain implemented in GRASS GIS
(map algebra, raster time series calculations, volumetric interpolation)
Refs: Neteler, 2005. Time series processing MODIS, Intl J Geoinformatics
Rizzoli et. al., 2007, Tick-borne Encephalitis. Geospatial Health
Carpi et al., 2008, Tick-borne Encephalitis. Epidem. & Infect.
Neteler, in prep.

18. GIS and physical models: Tangible GIS
New technologies are combined to gain intuitive
physical 3D models of landscapes combined with
geodata – improved communication and collaboration
“Illuminated Clay” - developed by MIT Media Lab and SENSEable City lab
“Tangible GIS” - NCSU VISSTA laboratory
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http://skagit.meas.ncsu.edu/~helena/wrriwork/tangis/

19. Design with TanGIS
Introduction of a checkdam
and creation of a terrain
depression, while studying
changes of slope and
overland flow in real-time
Markus Neteler: From a niche to a global user community:
Open Source GIS and OSGeo - Nantes, 8-10 July 2009
Simulated overland flow
with checkdam
NCSU/MIT, USA
http://skagit.meas.ncsu.edu/~helena/wrriwork/tangis/

20. http://www.whitehouse.gov/change/
Open Source Web mapping meets PA
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Open Source GIS and OSGeo - Nantes, 8-10 July 2009

21. Open Source GIS*
brought to you by....
under appropriate license!
* Yes, we mean Free Software here
Markus Neteler: From a niche to a global user community:
Open Source GIS and OSGeo - Nantes, 8-10 July 2009

22. GRASS GIS
http://www.osgeo.org
Founded 4 February 2006, Chicago
OSGeo Foundation: Founding members
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23. Open Source Geospatial
Foundation – OSGeo
www.osgeo.org
Mission: To support the development of open source
geospatial software and promote its widespread use.
Markus Neteler: From a niche to a global user community:
Founding projects (constituted in February 2006):
Open Source GIS and OSGeo - Nantes, 8-10 July 2009
GDAL/OGR, GeoTools, GRASS GIS, Mapbender, MapBuilder,
MapGuide Open Source (Autodesk), MapServer, OSSIM
Official members only after graduation from the ”incubator“
Motivation: More that 200 GFOSS projects worldwide...
… need for selection and organization: User oriented!

24. GRASS User map
QGIS User
map
Mapbender User map
OSGeo
A few of many user
communities in
http://planet.osgeo.org/
Markus Neteler: From a niche to a global user community:
Open Source GIS and OSGeo - Nantes, 8-10 July 2009

25. The OSGeo landscape
Markus Neteler: From a niche to a global user community:
Open Source GIS and OSGeo - Nantes, 8-10 July 2009
Communication via mailing
lists (11500 unique
subscribers in OSGeo
in 7/2009), conferences
and hack meetings

26. OSGeo software development: Source Code Control
Legal Aspects
● License compatibility (e.g., GRASS: GPL)
● Don't use code from books like “Numerical Receipes in C”!
●
Verify that 3rd party contributions are clean
Markus Neteler: From a niche to a global user community:
● The employer has to agree if work time shall be used for
Open Source GIS and OSGeo - Nantes, 8-10 July 2009
Free Software coding
Transparency and „peer review“ help to minimise any legal risk.
OSGeo inspired by Apache Foundation
● Incubator phase
● Graduation
http://incubator.apache.org/
http://www.osgeo.org/incubator

27. FOSS4G answers to proprietary
software
Proprietary vs Open Source/Free Software
Component Proprietary Open Source
Metadata Catalog CubeWerx WRS GeoNetwork
Dedicated Viewer ArcReader gvSIG, QGIS, uDig
Cartography ArcMap/ArcGIS GMT, GRASS, JGRASS
Markus Neteler: From a niche to a global user community:
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Analysis ArcINFO/ArcGIS, GRASS, OSSIM, SAGA,
ERDAS, ENVI ILWIS
Handheld ArcPad gvSIG mobile
Web Viewer ArcIMS Openlayers, Mapbuilder,
Mapbender, Mapfish
WMS, WFS ArcIMS Mapserver, Geoserver,
Mapguide OS
Spatial Database Oracle Spatial, PostGIS, (MySQL,
ArcSDE SQLite)
Virtual Globe Google Earth, Virtual OSSIM Planet, NASA
Earth WorldWind, Ratman
Libraries FME GDAL, FDO
For a more detailed comparison, see e.g., http://www.spatialserver.net/osgis/

28. Community: recruiting new
developers through incentives
http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Google_Summer_of_Code_2009
Markus Neteler: From a niche to a global user community:
Open Source GIS and OSGeo - Nantes, 8-10 July 2009
http://code.google.com/p/google-summer-of-code-2008-osgeo/

29. http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Geodata_Repository
OSGeo Geodata Committee & Data
Markus Neteler: From a niche to a global user community:
Open Source GIS and OSGeo - Nantes, 8-10 July 2009

30. http://www.osgeo.org/educational_content
“enable people to teach“
OSGeo Education: Courses Gallery
Markus Neteler: From a niche to a global user community:
Open Source GIS and OSGeo - Nantes, 8-10 July 2009

31. OSGeo meets industry: OGC and OSGeo sign
Memorandum of Understanding
Markus Neteler: From a niche to a global user community:
Open Source GIS and OSGeo - Nantes, 8-10 July 2009
http://www.opengeospatial.org/pressroom/pressreleases/944

32. Local OSGeo Chapters:
The Francophone chapter
Four main goals:
● Legal association with membership (you are welcome!)
Markus Neteler: From a niche to a global user community:
Open Source GIS and OSGeo - Nantes, 8-10 July 2009
● Marketing: what is OSGeo-fr - flyers, logo, website including
the Francophone wiki: http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Francophone
● Translations: OSGeo Journal in French, translated software
application documentation (e.g., QGIS documentation)
● Partnership: collaboration between OSGeo-fr and IGN-fr initiated
Info provided by Yves Jacolin
Likewise: Italy, Germany, Japan, China, … see
http://www.osgeo.org/content/chapters/

33. FOSS4G bookshelf: read more!
2005 http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Library
Markus Neteler: From a niche to a global user community:
Open Source GIS and OSGeo - Nantes, 8-10 July 2009
www.mappinghacks.com www.spatialguru.com
2008 www.grassbooks.org 2009

34. Conclusions
● Almost unlimited possibilities with GFOSS software
● User levels: from newcomers to power users
Markus Neteler: From a niche to a global user community:
Open Source GIS and OSGeo - Nantes, 8-10 July 2009
● Interoperability with other software packages, also in
heterogeneous environments
● GFOSS Quality: peer reviewed code, often with academic
background
● Support: Community – Mailing Lists, companies, freelancer, ...
Markus Neteler
Fondazione E. Mach (FEM)
Centro Ricerca e Innovazione
GIS and Remote Sensing Unit
Loc. Viote del Monte Bondone
38100 Trento, Italy
http://gis.fem-environment.eu
http://www.osgeo.org

35. License of this document
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/deed.en
“From a niche to a global user community:
Markus Neteler: From a niche to a global user community:
Open Source GIS and OSGeo”,
Open Source GIS and OSGeo - Nantes, 8-10 July 2009
© 2009 Markus Neteler, Italy
http://www.grassbook.org/neteler/conferences.html
[ OpenDocument file available upon request: neteler at cealp it ]
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