Free and Open Source (Desktop) GIS - an...

Free and Open Source (Desktop) GIS - an introduction -

GEO 457 Wi t 2010GEO 457 – Winter 2010

Stefan SteinigerStefan Steiniger

02.04.2010 1

Learning Objectives

• you will be able to explain why we speak rather of free and not open source software

• you can decide when to use GPL or LGPL• you can decide when to use GPL or LGPLlicenses

• you can list categories of GIS software and name free-of-cost „products“ uDIG, Image: Refractions.net

OpenJUMP Image: Uwe Dallüge Quantum GIS Image: M Neteler

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OpenJUMP, Image: Uwe Dallüge

GRASS GIS, Image: M. Lennert (http://grass.itc.it)

Quantum GIS, Image: M. Neteler(pinus.chinju.ac.kr)

Outline

I. Open Source and Free Software – Terms & Definitions

II. Free and Open Source GIS

III. So, why using open source?

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Examples of open source software (OSS)

OSS on the Desktop:• Mozilla Firefox (browser) & Thunderbird (email client)• OpenOffice

VLC

FreeMindp• Inkscape (vektor) & GIMP (images) - drawing• FreeMind• PDFCreator

FreeMind

PDFCreator• VideoLan Player (VLC)• JabRef – bibliography tool• MikTex & TeXnicCenter JabRefMikTex & TeXnicCenter• Miranda IM - messenger• R, SciLab, GStat - statistics

OpenOfficeJabRef

SciLab

02.04.2010 5images: Wikipedia/enGIMP R

SciLab

Outline

I. Open Source and Free Software

A. Terms and Definitions

B. 2 Licenses (GPL & LGPL)

C. 3 Possible Misconceptions

Note: talking about software licensing isn‘t a piece of cake

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I. Open Source and Free Software (1)

Some terms you may have heard of…

Open source

Free software

Open source

SharewareFree software

Freeware FOSS

OSS

GPL

commercial softwareLGPL

- What does it mean?…

- Is “free” software the same as “open source” software?

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p


putting (some) of those terms in an order...

Free SoftwareFree SoftwareProprietarySoftware

LGPL

GPLShareware

Freeware

Proprietary = All Software – (Free Software + Open Source Software)

Open Source (OSS)?commercial software?

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Proprietary All Software (Free Software + Open Source Software)


The term „free software“ is clearly defined by the Free Software Foundation (www.FSF.org):

Free & Open Source Software (FOSS) meets 4 Constraints:

1. The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0)

2. The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs (freedom 1).

3 Th f d t di t ib t i h l i hb3. The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor (freedom 2).

4. The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3).

⇒ Freedoms! - not free for download“

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⇒ Freedoms! not „free for download


„open source“ vs. „free“ software

open source: - is a term and brand : Open Source Initiative - OSI: opensource.org)- is an insufficient term : you can look into? But are you allowed to modify and distribute?

free software:- free as in „freedom“ not „free-beer“- warrants the user four freedoms

Do I need to care? yes (distinction of freedom), and no (license terms will tell you)

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( y )


„free“ vs. „commercial“

free: - as in „freedom“- stress on (public) ownership, not on price(p ) p p

⇒ opposite of „free software“ is „proprietary software“, not „commercial“

To avoid confusions people use the term „Free and Open Source Software“ (= FOSS)

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Outline





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- Several OSI and FSF approved licenses exists (large development projects have sometimes own ones)

- well known free software licenses:

• GNU General Public License (GPL – full protection of freedoms)

• GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL – full protection)

• BSD (Berkeley), XFree86 (MIT), Apache, Mozilla, …(limited prot.) | (no protection) | …

Bt Wh t‘ GNU? ☺

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Btw: What‘s GNU? ☺


The GNU General Public License

important license terms (of GPL Version 2):important license terms (of GPL Version 2):

• allows to run the program for your own purpose (§0)

• allows to copy and distribute (§1)allows to copy and distribute (§1)

• allows to modify the code and to distribute these versions (§2)

• allows distribution of the program and modified versions only if source code is attached or available (written offer) for 3 years (§3)

• „You may charge a fee for the physical act of transferring a copy, andyou may at your option offer warranty protection in exchange for a fee.”

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What is meant if people say the GPL is immune?

- The GPL license terms don‘t allow to change the license of the software including new and changed parts ⇒ it musst still be GPL ⇒software, including new and changed parts ⇒ it musst still be GPL ⇒is called „copylefting“

When GPL software parts (i e as a function library) are used by other- When GPL software parts (i.e. as a function library) are used by other software, then the license with the stronger restrictions/freedom remains – example: ESRI licence + GPL=

To avoid the latter effect: Lesser GPL was introduced. LGPL is very similar to GPL, but LGPL libraries can be used by non-GPL li d ft ( ESRI LGPL ☺)GPL licensed software. ( ESRI+LGPL = ☺)

Note: dual-licensing (GPL & proprietary license) is possible, b th d l h till th i ht hi k

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because the developer has still author rights on his work.

Outline





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1. Open Source and Free Software (8)

Possible Misconceptions about the GPL license*:

1 – If I use code licensed under the GPL – Do I need to release my changes to the program's source?changes to the program s source?

No - source code must be released only if you distribute the software

2 – If I program software and license it under the GPL I have to give the software away for free?

No - copies can be sold and download fees raised. What you may pay for is documentation, packaging & support.

3 – If I create (new) software (and data) with GPL tools they must be released under the GPL as well?released under the GPL as well?

No - programs & data created with open source software are not affected by the GPL. Only programs that inlcude GPL code.

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* taken once from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_General_Public_License, but now gone

Outline

I. Open Source and Free Software - Terms & Definitions



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Outline

II F d O S GISII. Free and Open Source GISA. History and organizationB FOS GIS projectsB. FOS GIS projects

C. FOS Desktop GIS: Only a selective overview!

D. Comparing FOS GIS with proprietary GIS

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II. FOS GIS (1)

History and organizationSome „Bits“ of History:

Grass GIS* – 1978/80 first libraries: US Army Corps of Eng (CERL)Grass GIS – 1978/80 first libraries: US Army Corps of Eng. (CERL)

. because ArcInfo was to expensive

. Fort Hood Inf. Syst. in 1982, Grass 1.0 in 1985,

. last release (V4.1) in 1992( )

. revival in 1997/1998 (Baylor Univ. & U. of Hannover)

. relicensing to GPL in 1999

Proj/Proj.4 – early 1980, Library for projections by USGS (Evenden 2003)Proj/Proj.4 early 1980, Library for projections by USGS (Evenden 2003)

OpenMap – GIS toolkit, started 1992 as MATT with DARPA founding

OGR/GDAL – Library for raster and vector formats by F. Warmerdam. focus on data conversion, launch in 1998

FreeGIS.org ‘99, UMN MapServer 96/97, PostGIS in 00/01, JTS 00/02

D kt SAGA ‘01/2 Th b ‘03 JUMP ‘02/3 QGIS ‘02/3 DIG ‘04/5

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Desktop: SAGA ‘01/2, Thuban ‘03, JUMP ‘02/3, QGIS ‘02/3, uDIG ‘04/5*) Westervelt (2004)

II. FOS GIS (2)

Organizational Issues

- official body since 2006: OSGeo Foundation (www.osgeo.org)

- Info on FOSS GIS: www.freegis.org,www.opensourcegis.orgwww.opensourcegis.org

- Conferences & Workshop: FOSS4G ( ld id ll f 4 2008 00 l ).FOSS4G (worldwide, all purposes, www.foss4g2008.org, 500 people)

.OGRS (worldwide, research, www.ogrs2009.org, 200 people)

.local conferences (GER, UK, ...)

- clarification: Open Geospatial Consortium ≠ Open Source, but rather about standards and „interfaces“/communication

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but rather about standards and „interfaces /communication

Outline

II F d O S GISII. Free and Open Source GISA. History and organization

B FOS GIS projectsB. FOS GIS projectsC. FOS Desktop GIS: Only a selective overview!

D. Comparing FOS GIS with proprietary GIS

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II. FOS GIS (3)

A shared and devided world?

divided:- GIS tools developed and maintained by companies vs. enthusiasts

- C(++) projects vs. JAVA projects

- libraries vs. web tools vs. desktop applications

Shared:- OSGeo covers 20 software projects (02. April 2010)

- conferences

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FOSS4G 2007 sponsors

II. FOS GIS (4)

…types of GIS software:

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II. FOS GIS (5)

Web stuff: . OpenLayers (GMaps). MapFish. MapBendergvSIG Mobile Pilot p. NASA World Wind (GEarth)

. gvSIG Mobile Pilot

. GDAL/OGR (data formats). PostGIS ( )

. Geotools (all in one)

. OpenMap

. Sextante (raster analysis)

. MapServer

. GeoServer

. MapGuide OS

. MySQL Spatial

. SpatialLite

. H2 Spatial

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( y ). JTS Topology Suite / GEOS. deegree. TerraView

Non-exhaustive overview in Paul Ramsey (2007) - I‘m working on one too

Outline

I F d O S GISI. Free and Open Source GISA. History and organization

B FOS GIS projectsB. FOS GIS projects

C. FOS Desktop GIS: Only a selective overview!D. Comparing FOS GIS with proprietary GIS

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II.B FOS Desktop GIS selection

What is a “Desktop GIS”?

- distinguishing between different types of GIS software by user tasks*- distinguishing between different types of GIS software by user tasks

- desktop GIS tasks: 1 viewing, 2 creating, 3 editing, 4 storage, 5 conflation, 6 transformation, 7 query, 8 analysis, 9 creating mapsq y y g p

- types of desktop GIS: . GIS Viewer: 1,4,7,(9); . GIS Editor: 1-4,(6),7,9;GIS A l t 1 9. GIS Analyst: 1-9

- or as ESRI says:A desktop GIS is a mapping software that is installed onto and runs onA desktop GIS is a mapping software that is installed onto and runs on a personal computer and allows users to display, query, update, and analyse data about geographic locations and the information linked to those locations (www esri com)

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*Steiniger and Weibel (2009)to those locations. (www.esri.com)

II.B FOS Desktop GIS selection

- since 2002 a number of free Desktop GIS projects started (> 5)- GRASS and OpenMap earlier, but with military background- different foci:- different foci:

. user background: novice, experienced, expert, research

. application: data editing, conflation, analysis, viewing

. main data type: raster vs. vector

. devel. platform: C++, Java, Python, (PhP?)

- possible evaluation criteria:possible evaluation criteria:. features/functionality . supported (OGC) standards***. documentation* . transparent devel team*software modular* developer community*. software modular . developer community

. user community* . license**

. support** . platforms & tech. requirements**useablity development API

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*P Ramsey (2004, 2006); ** JO Wagner (2006), ***J Reid (2001)

. useablity . development API

II.B FOS Desktop GIS selection – OVERVIEW01. GRASS02. Quantum GIS (QGIS) 03. JUMP GIS family: OpenJUMP – SkyJUMP – deeJUMP - PirolJUMP 04 uDig : (recently joined by/with JGrass team: dedicated to hydro geomorphology)04. uDig : (recently joined by/with JGrass team: dedicated to hydro - geomorphology)05. SAGA06. MapWindow07. Thuban : GIS viewer08. Kalypso 09. gvSIG10. Kosmo 11 OpenMap : GIS ToolKit11. OpenMap : GIS ToolKit 12. ILWIS 13. mezoGIS : GIS viewer14. Fmaps : (dead)

O G S15. OrbisGIS16. iGeoDesktop 17. Puzzle GIS : under development (promising)

t b t f f t S ti l C d F t GIS G l

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not open source, but free-of-cost: Spatial Commander, Forestry GIS, Google Earth, ArcExplorer, TNTlite, TatukGIS Viewer, ...

GRASS

Larger

uDig ILWIS

LargerDesktop GIS

Projects MapWindowgvSIG

OpenJUMP

QGIS

SAGAOpenJUMP

02.04.2010 33

Geographic Resource Analysis Support System

GRASS

Larger

uDig ILWISuser level:experienced … research

li ti f LargerDesktop GIS


application focus:vector & raster analysis

users:ld id l it

OpenJUMP

worldwide, large communitydevelopers:

mainly from universitiest

QGIS

SAGAOpenJUMPnotes:

oldest FOS GIS, ArcInfo functionality

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GRASS GIS Image: M. Lennert (http://pinus.chinju.ac.kr/grass/grass63/screenshots/images/native_wingr

Integrated Land and Water Information System

GRASS

Larger

uDig ILWISuser level:novice … research



application focus:vector & raster analysis

users:l h (t hi )

OpenJUMP

several, research (teaching)developers:

ITC Enschede (NL), 52° Nordt

QGIS

SAGAOpenJUMPnotes:

*1985, Win-based (Visual C++)

02.04.2010 35ILWIS Image: http://52north.org/joomla/images/stories/52n/admin/ilwis_screenshots/ilwisss.jpg

Map Window GIS

GRASSMapWindow GIS: http://en.wikipedia.org/

Larger

uDig ILWISuser level:novice … research



application focus:GIS core/ vector & raster analysis

users:ld id l

OpenJUMP

worldwide, largedevelopers:

lead: Idaho State Univ., worldwidet

QGIS

SAGAOpenJUMPnotes:

Windows only, .NETused by US Env. Protect. Agency

02.04.2010 36

System for Automated Geo-Scientific Analysis

GRASS

Larger

uDig ILWISuser level:novice…research



application focus:raster analysis (geomorph./hydro.)

users:ith ti l i t t

OpenJUMP

with particular interestsdevelopers:

original: Univ. Göttingen (GER), nowU f H b th

QGIS

SAGAOpenJUMPU. of Hamburg, others

notes:MS Visual C++, but Linux too

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SAGA GIS: http://www.saga-gis.uni-goettingen.de/html/images/

Quantum GIS

GRASSuser level:novice … research

f

Larger

uDig ILWISapplication focus:

data viewer & editor, interface to GRASS, tendency to full GIS

Quantum GIS Image: M. Neteler (pinus.chinju.ac.kr)

LargerDesktop GIS


users:huge community worldwide

developers:

OpenJUMP

worldwide, volunteersnotes:

best marketing ☺

QGIS

SAGAOpenJUMP

02.04.2010 38

Open Java Unified Mapping Platform

GRASSuser level:

Larger

uDig ILWISnovice … researchapplication focus:

vector data editing, conflation, analys.LargerDesktop GIS


users:worldwide, public. admin.

developers:

OpenJUMP

porig. JUMP: VividSolutions Inc. (CA), now: volunteers worldwide

notes:

QGIS

SAGAOpenJUMP

versions: deeJUMP, SkyJUMP, ...

02.04.2010 39

Generalitat Valencia Sistema d‘Informacio Geografica

GRASSuser level:

Larger


ArcView++LargerDesktop GIS


users:public administration (ES), research

developers:

OpenJUMP

pIVER Technologies (ES), univers.

notes:strong financial support by governm.

QGIS

SAGAOpenJUMP g pp y g

non Spanish user base is growing

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gvSIG Image: http://www.gvsig.gva.es

user friendly Desktop Internet GIS

GRASSuser level:

Larger


viewing, editing, analysis (web/data)LargerDesktop GIS


users:growing comm., worldwide

developers:

OpenJUMP

pRefractions R. Inc. (CA), Axios (ES), volunteers

notes:

QGIS

SAGAOpenJUMP

---

02.04.2010 41

uDig Image: http://udig.refractions.net/confluence/display/UDIG/Screenshots

D. Comparing FOS vs. Proprietary (Desktop) GIS

vs.vs.FOSGIS

02.04.2010 42

Comparing functionalityTask GRASS QGIS ILWIS uDig SAGA Open-

JUMPMap

WindowgvSIG ArcView

9.3viewing • • • • • • • • •

ticreation • • • • • • • • •editing • • • • • • • • •integration • - - • - ο - - -Presentation

- maps • • • • • • • • •- charts • • • - • ο - - •- tables • • • • • • • • •Overlay Analysis

- raster Via Via Via Viaraster • Via Grass • Via

JGrass • Via Sextante • Via

Sextante -

- vector • • • • • • ο • partlycustomizati

Python, P l Python ILWIS

i t Groovy Python Jython .Net Jython several

02.04.2010 43

ion Perl y o scripts G oo y y o Jy o e Jy o se e a

functionality • : available, ο : available via plugins, - : not available

Comparing Development & Support

Free GIS projects vs. Proprietary GIS Vendors (1):

I - Development Drivers. GIS Projects: companies (commercial), authorities, research and

individuals. Prop. GIS: companies (commercial), (very) big customers. Prop. GIS: companies (commercial), (very) big customers

II – User Focus. GIS Projects: focus towards particular user groups and tasks. Prop. GIS: focus towards particular businesses & wide appl. field

III – Development & Shipping models. GIS Projects: (a) all functions out of the box (GRASS, ILWIS, SAGA)

(b) core & 3rd-party plugins (QGIS, OpenJUMP, gvSIG). Prop. GIS: rather (a) but (b) GIS “extensions” exist too

02.04.2010 44

p ( ) ( )

Comparing Development & Support

Free GIS projects vs. Proprietary GIS Vendors (2):

IV - Support. GIS Projects: by companies*, free email, free user forums, wikis. Prop. GIS: by companies (paid), forums (paid + free)

*FOS GIS support: see also http://www.osgeo.org/search_profile

V - Miscellaneous:FOS GIS ProjectsFOS GIS Projects

1) not yet ready to create “nice” maps (req. post-processing)2) documentation is sometimes incomplete, but you can talk to

the developers in forums and user email liststhe developers in forums and user email lists3) information needs to be found by user (no marketing)4) difficult to estimate how projects continue (not market driven)

02.04.2010 45

Outline

I. Open Source and Free Software – Terms & Definitions



02.04.2010 46


Non GIS – specific differences of FOS and Proprietary Software

Proprietary Software OpenSource / Free Software(e.g. Microsoft Office, ArcGIS) (e.g. OpenOffice, GRASS GIS)

+ warranty* of developing company on product :holds for every company

+ no license fees+ unrestricted use (e g # installations)p y p y

+ components should work together+ usually well documented software

+ unrestricted use (e.g. # installations)+ no update enforcement+ support of open standards+ customization at API level+ customization at API level

- price & maintenance fees- customized development is difficult- support as long as company exists

- installation knowhow necessary- training costs**

support as long as company exists

Based on comparison by Martin Weis (2005)*) BUT: license agreements often exlucede warranty**) BUT: user choice to invest in own resources or buy

02.04.2010 48

Some people say such things Are those things myths or facts?Some people say… such things…Are those things myths or facts?

02.04.2010 49

III. So, why using open source? - Myths

Parts of the following are taken from M. Wheatley*:

- Myth 1: The attraction is the price tagWh tl t bilit d ff ti it b th f t **Wheatley: stability and effectivity may be other factors**

- Myth 2: Savings aren‘t realWheatley: because you don‘t pay for every copy of they y p y y pysoftware you can safe money

- Myth 3: There is no supportIf there is a user base there is support For instance forIf there is a user base, there is support. For instance for OpenJump GIS offer 2 companies paid support in Germany alone.

- Myth 4: It is a legal minefieldseveral off-court arrangements took place; indemnifications are

offered; in 2006 GPL proved ist validity as license on a court in Munich (Landgericht I).

* M Wh tl 2004 Th th f O S i

02.04.2010 50

* M. Wheatley, 2004: The myths of Open Source, www.cio.com** ACTUATE, 2007: attraction no license fees: 82.8%

III. So, why using open source? - Myths

Parts of the following are taken from M. Wheatley*:

- Myth 5: Open Source isn‘t for mission-critical applicationsWh tl b ki t (B P l di Mil )Wheatley: a banking system (Banca Popolare di Milano)runs with opensource components

- Myth 6: Open Source isn‘t ready for the desktopy p y pthat‘s something I hopefully refuted ☺

Btw: interesting figuresg g- 50% of OSS projects started by companies with comercial intention*- In Germany 59% of companies „use“[?] OSS software (US: 48%)**- 80% of OSS developers are IT professionals (96% male )***80% of OSS developers are IT professionals (96% male )

*) missing original source**) ACTUATE (2007)***) Robes et al (2001) Hertel et al (2003) Open Source

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) Robes et al. (2001), Hertel et al (2003), Open Source Jahrbuch 2006: p. 210

(my) conclusion…

02.04.2010 52

Free and Open Source isn‘t for you if …

… you want to re-invent the wheel… want to spent money for licenses

you just work on your own PC (no scaling needed)… you just work on your own PC (no scaling needed)… you like black boxes… you love the „one size fits all principle“ (what‘s adaptation?)... you never need what you have done if you move on

AND:

You are scared that somebody exploits your developments! ( but remember you could use what others accomplished )(..but remember, you could use what others accomplished...)

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IV. Summary

I showed:

• what the terms ‚free‘ and ‚open source‘ mean

• GPL misconceptions

• FOS GIS history & organization

• FOS GIS projects

• A selection of FOS Desktop GIS

• delivered reasons for using FOSS

Notes: • I wrote and write papers on that: http://www.spatialserver.net/osgis/• There is a nice intro book by Gary E Sherman: „Desktop GIS:

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y y pMapping the Planet with Open Source Tools“ (2008)

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