1 IGU London 2007 Geoinformation teaching and Geoinformation teaching and research at universities research at universities – – commercial, non commercial, non- commercial or free SW commercial or free SW? Prof. Prof. Vladim Vladimir Zidek idek Department Department of of Geoinformation Technologies Geoinformation Technologies Faculty of Forestry, Faculty of Forestry, Mendel endel University University, Brno , Brno Czech Czech Republic Republic
Transcript
1
IGU London 2007
Geoinformation teaching andGeoinformation teaching andresearch at universitiesresearch at universities ––
commercial, noncommercial, non--commercial or free SWcommercial or free SW??
Prof.Prof. VladimVladimiirr ZZidekidekDepartmentDepartment ofof Geoinformation TechnologiesGeoinformation TechnologiesFaculty of Forestry,Faculty of Forestry, MMendelendel UniversityUniversity, Brno, BrnoCzechCzech RepublicRepublic
2
IGU London 2007
•• Hardly any domain of human knowledge, along with its practicalHardly any domain of human knowledge, along with its practicalapplications, is currently developing as quickly as contemporaryapplications, is currently developing as quickly as contemporaryinformation and communication technologiesinformation and communication technologies..
•• Geographic information systems (GIS) are a typical example.Geographic information systems (GIS) are a typical example.
•• The user of GIS must master the use of many tools to make the beThe user of GIS must master the use of many tools to make the best ofst ofsuch systems. GIS teaching at universities must therefore includsuch systems. GIS teaching at universities must therefore includeepractical exercises in computer laboratories.practical exercises in computer laboratories.
•• Software (SW) for this training can be divided into three groupsSoftware (SW) for this training can be divided into three groups,,differentiated by their data processing abilitiesdifferentiated by their data processing abilities andand by priceby price ..
Commercial, nonCommercial, non--commercial and free SW for GIScommercial and free SW for GIS
•• CCommercialommercial -- aa SW that isSW that is created mainly for profitcreated mainly for profit,,thethe user has no way of examining the source codeuser has no way of examining the source code..
•• NNonon--commercialcommercial -- aa SW that isSW that is not created primarily for profitnot created primarily for profit,,the user generally cannot examine the source codethe user generally cannot examine the source code..
•• Open source/free SWOpen source/free SW -- the user can get particular products for freethe user can get particular products for free,,the possibility exists to develop them furtherthe possibility exists to develop them further;; the source code is availablethe source code is available
4
IGU London 2007
CommercialCommercial GISGIS SWSW –– ArcGISArcGIS
•• A typical representative of this group is a vectorA typical representative of this group is a vector--oriented Americanoriented Americansystem ArcGIS, produced by the ESRI.system ArcGIS, produced by the ESRI.
•• ArcGIS desktop represents today a complex and integrated systemArcGIS desktop represents today a complex and integrated system ofofGIS products.GIS products.
•• For basic practical exercises in 15For basic practical exercises in 15--20 seat computer labs, the product20 seat computer labs, the productoptionsoptions ArcViewArcView or ArcEditor can be used, both offering students aor ArcEditor can be used, both offering students avariety of tools for creating, editing and analysing geospatialvariety of tools for creating, editing and analysing geospatial datadata..
•• Several extensions of ArcGIS desktop, e.g. ArcGIS Spatial AnalysSeveral extensions of ArcGIS desktop, e.g. ArcGIS Spatial Analyst,t,ArcGIS 3D Analyst, ArcGIS Network Analyst and ArcGIS BusinessArcGIS 3D Analyst, ArcGIS Network Analyst and ArcGIS BusinessAnalyst enhance the analytical scope of this SWAnalyst enhance the analytical scope of this SW..
5
IGU London 2007
ArcGISArcGIS ((withwith aboutabout 10001000 usersusers)) is the leading GIS in the Czech Republicis the leading GIS in the Czech Republic
6
IGU London 2007
•• For an inexpert user, the ArcGIS desktop is rather too complicatFor an inexpert user, the ArcGIS desktop is rather too complicated.ed.
•• If you want to work successfully, you need to use the interfaceIf you want to work successfully, you need to use the interface ofofthree applications:three applications:-- ArcMapArcMap enables map editing and analysisenables map editing and analysis-- ArcCatalogArcCatalog enables data managementenables data management-- ArcToolboxesArcToolboxes provide transformation, statistical and other toolsprovide transformation, statistical and other tools
•• The complexity of ArcGIS may be intentional on the part of itsThe complexity of ArcGIS may be intentional on the part of itsmakers, as without professional training few users can use themakers, as without professional training few users can use thesystem effectively.system effectively.
•• The professional training is not cheapThe professional training is not cheap –– in the Czech Republic,in the Czech Republic,where the average monthly wages is approximately 21where the average monthly wages is approximately 21 000 CZK000 CZK((1CZK=28 EUR1CZK=28 EUR), a two), a two--day basic training course for ArcGIS 9 costsday basic training course for ArcGIS 9 costsabout 10about 10 700 CZK700 CZK..
•• AA typicaltypical representativerepresentative ofof thisthis groupgroup isis aa rasterraster orientedoriented AmericanAmericanSW for GISSW for GIS andand imageimage processingprocessing calledcalled Idrisi.Idrisi.((AbuAbu AbdAbd AllahAllah MuhammedMuhammed alal--Idrisi, 1100Idrisi, 1100--1166,1166, waswas anan importantimportant MuslimMuslimgeographergeographer.).)
•• Idrisi SW has since 1987 been developed at Clark Laboratories foIdrisi SW has since 1987 been developed at Clark Laboratories forrCartographic Technology and Geographic Analysis (Clark Labs) atCartographic Technology and Geographic Analysis (Clark Labs) atClark University, Worcester, Massachusetts, USAClark University, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA..
•• Idrisi was developed from the beginning as aIdrisi was developed from the beginning as a notnot--for profit SWfor profit SW;;and initially the system did not have any license protection.and initially the system did not have any license protection.It therefore spread quite quickly around the world and today itIt therefore spread quite quickly around the world and today it hashasusers in more than 175 countriesusers in more than 175 countries..
•• In cooperation with UNITAR (United Nations Institute for TraininIn cooperation with UNITAR (United Nations Institute for Traininggand Research) Clark Labs edit thematic workbooks (Clark Labsand Research) Clark Labs edit thematic workbooks (Clark Labs2007b) that acquaint user with particular analytical techniques2007b) that acquaint user with particular analytical techniques andandprovide real digital data sets for use as practical exercises.provide real digital data sets for use as practical exercises.
8
IGU London 2007
In our country Idrisi is widely used for teaching and research aIn our country Idrisi is widely used for teaching and research attuniversities, but seldom in a professional practiceuniversities, but seldom in a professional practice..
9
IGU London 2007
•• Idrisi is quite a strong analytical tool. The basic menu enablesIdrisi is quite a strong analytical tool. The basic menu enables accessaccessto more than 250 modules for the analysis and display of digitalto more than 250 modules for the analysis and display of digitalgeospatial data.geospatial data.
•• Commands are simpler than with ArcGIS, as the user controls allCommands are simpler than with ArcGIS, as the user controls all thethemodules from a single interface and does not need additionalmodules from a single interface and does not need additionalextensions.extensions.
•• Idrisi is a complex SW package that besides being a highIdrisi is a complex SW package that besides being a high--power GISpower GISalso allows remotely sensed data processing and analysis.also allows remotely sensed data processing and analysis.
•• The price of Idrisi is comparable to ArcGIS.The price of Idrisi is comparable to ArcGIS.ButBut, if we keep in mind that, if we keep in mind thatthe user working with ArcGIS usually also needs several extensiothe user working with ArcGIS usually also needs several extensions,ns,Idrisi seems, according to price, more accessible for students aIdrisi seems, according to price, more accessible for students andndprivate users.private users.
10
IGU London 2007
•• The Idrisi project has established a network ofThe Idrisi project has established a network of Idrisi ResourcesIdrisi ResourcesCentersCenters which give information to the public, provide training courses,which give information to the public, provide training courses,organize user meetings and support the system at a regional leveorganize user meetings and support the system at a regional level, seel, seehttp://www.clarklabs.org/resources/resourcehttp://www.clarklabs.org/resources/resource--centers.cfmcenters.cfm ..
Open source/freeOpen source/free GISGIS SWSW –– GRASS, QGISGRASS, QGIS
•• The main representative of this group is a hybrid (raster/vectorThe main representative of this group is a hybrid (raster/vector), GIS), GISGRASS.GRASS.GRASS (Geographic Resources Analysis Support System) hasGRASS (Geographic Resources Analysis Support System) hassince 1982 been developed to meet the needs of the US Armysince 1982 been developed to meet the needs of the US Army..
•• GRASS is runGRASS is run usuallyusually under the GNU/Linux operational system, butunder the GNU/Linux operational system, butit can also work under MSit can also work under MS--WindowsWindows,, UNIX and other platforms.UNIX and other platforms.
•• The basic user interface still remains commandThe basic user interface still remains command--oriented, but it isoriented, but it isalso possible to use a graphic user interface (GUI) independentalso possible to use a graphic user interface (GUI) independent of aof aplatform.platform.
•• In 1999, MarkusIn 1999, Markus NetelerNeteler established a GRASS Development Team,established a GRASS Development Team,which coordinates activities related to GRASS development andwhich coordinates activities related to GRASS development andresearch at an international levelresearch at an international level..
12
IGU London 2007
GRASS is little used by commercial and administrative organizatiGRASS is little used by commercial and administrative organizationsons(usually it is used only at places where there are GRASS enthusi(usually it is used only at places where there are GRASS enthusiasts).asts).
13
IGU London 2007
•• There is a very good user support for GRASS on the internet, e.gThere is a very good user support for GRASS on the internet, e.g..http://http://grass.itc.it/gdp/tutorials.phpgrass.itc.it/gdp/tutorials.php
•• Czech users can find a lot of information in Czech language, e.gCzech users can find a lot of information in Czech language, e.g..http://http://grass.fsv.cvut.cz/wiki/index.php/GRASSwikiCZgrass.fsv.cvut.cz/wiki/index.php/GRASSwikiCZ ..
•• As GRASS is openAs GRASS is open--source/free SW published under GNU Generalsource/free SW published under GNU GeneralPublic License (GNU 2007), its users are not limited by price .Public License (GNU 2007), its users are not limited by price .
•• The program is thus readily accessible to students and privateThe program is thus readily accessible to students and privateusers.users.
•• Quantum GISQuantum GIS (QGIS ), is another open(QGIS ), is another open--source/free SW distributedsource/free SW distributedand supported via the internet .and supported via the internet .
SW for remotely sensed data processingSW for remotely sensed data processing
•• In the domain of remotely sensed data processing SW, the situatiIn the domain of remotely sensed data processing SW, the situation ison isbroadly similar to GIS.broadly similar to GIS.
•• TheThe main commercial productsmain commercial products usually available at multiusually available at multi--seat universityseat universitylabs are SW packageslabs are SW packages::--Erdas Imagine ProfessionalErdas Imagine Professional 9.0 from the US company Leica Geosystems9.0 from the US company Leica Geosystems--GeomaticaGeomatica 10 from the Canadian company PCI Geomatics.10 from the Canadian company PCI Geomatics.
•• TheThe principal nonprincipal non--commercial productcommercial product for image processing isfor image processing is IdrisiIdrisi..Idrisi version 15Idrisi version 15 „„AndesAndes““ offers the most extensive palette of image dataoffers the most extensive palette of image dataclassifiers. Some of them belong to automated machine learning pclassifiers. Some of them belong to automated machine learning proceduresroceduresand integrated neural network solutions.and integrated neural network solutions.
•• InIn open source/free productsopen source/free products, it is, it is GRASSGRASS that, like Idrisi, provides athat, like Idrisi, provides acomplete set of operations for processing satellite images and acomplete set of operations for processing satellite images and aerialerialphotographs.photographs.
15
IGU London 2007
Example of research results obtained with aboveExample of research results obtained with above--mentionedmentioned SWSW
•• For research purposes, teachers and doctoral students in our depFor research purposes, teachers and doctoral students in our departmentartmentuse mainly Idrisi, ArcGIS,use mainly Idrisi, ArcGIS, GRASS,GRASS,Geomatica 10 and DefiniensGeomatica 10 and Definiens//eCognitioneCognition..
•• Our most important contemporary research project centres on theOur most important contemporary research project centres on the alluvialalluvialplain formed by theplain formed by the DyjeDyje ((ThayaThaya) and) and MoravaMorava rivers in South Moraviarivers in South Moravia..
Alluvial plainsAlluvial plainsin the Czechin the CzechRepublic andRepublic andarea of specialarea of specialinterestinterest
16
IGU London 2007
Example of research results (Example of research results (ctndctnd.).)
TheThe researchresearch aims are the practical applications of scientific and researchaims are the practical applications of scientific and researchknowledge to find abandoned agricultural land suitable forknowledge to find abandoned agricultural land suitable for afforestationafforestation..
•• IkonosIkonos imageryimagery (2005)(2005) has beenhas been georeferencedgeoreferenced in Geomatica 10 and ain Geomatica 10 and aselected part of the image (selected part of the image (LedniceLednice area) has been segmented andarea) has been segmented andexperimentally classified inexperimentally classified in eCognitioneCognition 5.5.
•• Digital terrain model (792 km2) was developed in ArcGIS and IdriDigital terrain model (792 km2) was developed in ArcGIS and Idrisi usingsi usingvector contours and later verified in the fieldvector contours and later verified in the field..
Digital terrain model of South Moravia alluvial plainsDigital terrain model of South Moravia alluvial plains
20
IGU London 2007
What are the implications for geoinformationWhat are the implications for geoinformationteaching and research?teaching and research?
•• Reduced direct tuition and increased individual study by studentReduced direct tuition and increased individual study by studentssthemselves becomes general trend not only at the Mendelthemselves becomes general trend not only at the MendelUniversity, Brno, but at many other universities in our country.University, Brno, but at many other universities in our country.
•• This process inevitably requires more individual work by studentThis process inevitably requires more individual work by students.s.
•• Individual GIS work is the most effective by a projectIndividual GIS work is the most effective by a project--based learning.based learning.
•• As we lack the necessary computer lab capacity, student projectsAs we lack the necessary computer lab capacity, student projectscannot be realized without homework of some extent.cannot be realized without homework of some extent.
•• Consequently,Consequently, if we want to set our students individual GISif we want to set our students individual GISprojects,projects, we have to understand that at leastwe have to understand that at least one of the followingone of the followingtwo conditions is met.two conditions is met.
21
IGU London 2007
NecessaryNecessary cconditionsonditions for individual projectfor individual project--based workbased work
•• Students must haveStudents must have satisfactory access to necessarysatisfactory access to necessarycomputer equipment,computer equipment, including specific SWincluding specific SW,,so that opportunities for individual work are not limited.so that opportunities for individual work are not limited.Currently such opportunities, at least at most Czech universitieCurrently such opportunities, at least at most Czech universities, ares, aregenerally not possible.generally not possible.
•• Cheap SW or free SW (freeware) must be availableCheap SW or free SW (freeware) must be available to studentsto studentsto enable them to process given tasks/problems,to enable them to process given tasks/problems,not only at university work places,not only at university work places,butbut also at home on private computers.on private computers.
22
IGU London 2007
IIf we want students to produce meaningful individual projectf we want students to produce meaningful individual projectwork and if we want to convince them that they can also laterwork and if we want to convince them that they can also laterput to effective practical use what they have learned duringput to effective practical use what they have learned duringtheir study,their study,we need to give much more attention to GRASS.we need to give much more attention to GRASS.
I believe that more extensive use of the openI believe that more extensive use of the open--source/free SWsource/free SWis the way forward, and that this will happen before longis the way forward, and that this will happen before long -- andandnot only in a geoinformation domain.not only in a geoinformation domain.
ConclusionConclusion
23
IGU London 2007
Thank you for your attentionThank you for your attention
