Discussion Session 5

Open Source GIS - Data and Web Applications

Sachindra SinghICT Systems Developer

SOPAC/SPC

2011 Pacific Islands Geographic Information System and Remote Sensing Conference

History of Online, Geospatial and Open Source Components in SOPAC

Internet and Open Source• 1994 – SOPAC adopted cc:Mail and SunOS – the first regional organization to have an electronic

communication system in the Pacific region • 1994 – SOPAC was one of the two founding members of PICISOC (Internet Society Charter for

Pacific Islands) • 1996 - USP [The University of the South Pacific] and SOPAC were the first to connect to the

Internet in the South Pacific. SOPAC also offered subsidized internet access to government organisations during this period.

• 2000 – 2004 – SOPAC migrated fully to open source services such email systems, GNU/Linux file

shares, BIND, etc.

• 2002 – SOPAC adopted open source tiki-wiki as a web presence and collaboration platform • 2006 – SOPAC adopted open source online library systems (Koha) and e-learning platforms

(Moodle)

History (GIS Web)

Mapserver 2005 – SOPAC deployed and trained users in 14 Pacific Island Countries on UNM Mapserver as part of EU/EDF Pacific Islands Vulnerability project. Geonetwork2007 - Geonetwork deployed within SOPAC by Ocean and Islands programme . Singular GeoSpatial Data Repository 2010 - SOPAC ICT unified and catalogued SOPAC's and member countries diverse spatial data collection under a standardised, secure and user-friendly system

Geonode2011 – Adoption of Geonode Web Mapping Platform (primarily for World Bank/ADB Pacific Risk Exposure Database Project)

Misconceptions

• Is the software really free? (Yes) – Free as in “free speech”, not “free beer”

• Do its capabilities really compare with closed source software that I pay money for?

(Yes) – e.g. OsGeo Projects – approx 10 web mapping solutions plus 3 complete Desktop GIS solutions

• Can I get support for it? (Yes) – large community, donor support, commercial support, global conferences

• Can it work together with my existing commercial software?(Yes) – OGC services compliancy, interoperability across different platforms and solutions

Barriers to entry

What are common barriers to entry in the Pacific, and how do we lower these? • Setup Complexity • Software Support • How-to Guides and Help Resources • Pre-existing Investments (in Commercial GIS Software) • Incompatible ICT Policies

Solutions?

What can an organization like SPC/SOPAC do to promote and provide advocacy OSS for GIS in the region?

• Provide customized, simple and easy to use GIS tools (Desktop and Server)

• Provide a medium for support and problem solving• Provide online help and training modules

(all tuned to requirements of Pacific GIS Units)

Why SOPAC?

• Existing relationships with GIS Units in the Pacific, data providers, donors, global agencies.

• CRGA (SPC/SOPAC Governing Council) Endorsement

“44. Strongly recommend that the SOPAC Division continues to prioritise, support, maintain and extend its existing open source analysis and data management tools and systems for partners and island members; and provide appropriate advocacy and support to island members in using open source technologies for ICT systems development.”

sopac-gis-os

GIS-oriented Linux (Operating System) Distribution based on Free and Open Source Components built and

supported by SOPAC.

http://ict.sopac.org/gisos

Support

Community Forum User Registration + Email Updates Training modules (under development)

• Based on Moodle (Online Learning) - Quantum GIS, uDIG, Plugin Development, gdal + ogr2ogr, Geoserver, Geonode, PostGIS, MapServer etc.

• Getting Started Guides• Use Cases Guides

End + Geonode Session Plug