UZH GIS BrownBag 1. Nov 2007 1 OpenSource Desktop GIS Developments – Is OpenJUMP GIS approaching your Desktop? Stefan Steiniger GIUZ, University of Zürich [email protected]UZH GIS BrownBag 1. Nov 2007 2 My Motivation objectives: • clarify some points on opensource software • give an overview on opensource GIS tools • talk on OpenJUMP GIS and its development OpenJUMP, Image: Uwe Dallüge GRASS GIS, Image: M. Lennert (http://grass.itc.it) Quantum GIS, Image: M. Neteler (pinus.chinju.ac.kr) uDIG, Image: Refractions.net
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The GNU General Public License - an immune license!
some license terms (of GPL Version 2):
• allows to run the program for your own purpose (§0)
• allows to copy and distribute -- if the GPL license/copyright is contained (§1)
• allows to modify the code and to distribute these versions -- if the modifications are documented and the modified versions are also licensed under GPL(!) (§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, and
you may at your option offer warranty protection in exchange for a fee.”
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1. OpenSource and Free Software (7)
What is meant if people say GPL is immune?
- When GPL software is modified or extended by others the licensemust still be GPL (another license is not allowed)
- When GPL software parts (i.e. as a function library) are used by othersoftware, then the license with the stronger restrictions/freedomremains, i.e. GPL license „wins“. (e.g. BSD & GPL = 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 licensed software. (e.g. ESRI+GPL= , ESRI+LGPL = ☺)
Note: dual-licensing is an option and often done, this is possiblebecause the developer has still author rights on his work.
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Outline
1. OpenSource and Free Software
• 3 Questions
• 2 Licenses (GPL & LGPL)
• 3 Misconceptions and 6 Myths
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1. OpenSource and Free Software (8) - Myths
Misconceptions about the GPL license*:
1 – „If you use code licensed under the GPL, you have to releaseyour program's source code no matter what."
Correct: source code must be released only if you distribute thesoftware
2 – „Software licensed under the GPL must be given away for free, it cannot be sold."
Correct: Copies can be sold and download fees raised.. the onewho pays is …. But what you pay usually for is documentation.
3 – „Any software created with GPL tools must be released underthe GPL."
Correct: Programs created with opensource software are notaffected by the GPL. Only programs that inlcude GPL code.
Parts of the following are taken from M. Wheatley*:
- Myth 1: The attraction is the price tagWheatley: stability and effectivity may be other factors**
- Myth 2: Savings aren‘t realWheatley: because you don‘t pay for every copy of thesoftware you can safe money
- Myth 3: There is no supportIf there is a user base, there is support. For instance forOpenJump 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. Wheatley, 2004: The myths of Open Source, www.cio.com
** ACTUATE, 2007: attraction no license fees: 82.8%
UZH GIS BrownBag 1. Nov 2007 17
1. OpenSource and Free Software (10) - Myths
Parts of the following are taken from M. Wheatley*:
- Myth 5: OpenSource isn‘t for mission-critical applicationsWheatley: a banking system (Banca Popolare di Milano)runs with opensource components
- Myth 6: OpenSource isn‘t ready for the desktopthat‘s something I am hoping to refute below ☺
Btw: interesting figures- 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 )***
*) missing original source
**) ACTUATE (2007)
***) Robes et al. (2001), Hertel et al (2003), Open Source
. developer API (Java) . datastore framework (new, DB read)
. plug-in concept => enables rapid prototyping
JTS: Geometry library (OGC SFS,
spatial predicates, indexing, ..)
JUMP 1.1
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Outline
JUMP GIS and OpenJUMP
• Functionality & Features
• Strengths & Weaknesses
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3. OpenJUMP – Review (1)
STRENGTHS: The UZH Gen Group uses JUMP Framework because:
• it‘s build on the (robust) geometry library JTS (OGC: SFS)
• it‘s written in Java (platform independent, suitable for web services)
• it supports standard data formats (shp, GML)
• the plugin framework enables:
• rapid prototyping
• easy customization
• it‘s visualization capabilities
Community:
- help by other users
- commercial support available
- functionality via plug-ins by others WebGen: Web Generalization Services,
Neun 2007 (Ph.D thesis)
UZH GIS BrownBag 1. Nov 2007 46
3. OpenJUMP – Review (2)
WEAKNESSES:
TECH: Missing functionality
- data loaded in memory (no caching)
- no writing to databases (except PostGIS),
- no raster algebra,
- no built-in projection support (but plugin exists)
- simple feature model (problems for advanced projects)
- basic visualisation capabilities (no data exploration)
• missing (end-user) documentation (…but on the way)
• slow core development
• no development road map
• user needs to inform oneself
• user feedback could be better (bugs)
UZH GIS BrownBag 1. Nov 2007 47
Outline
1. OpenSource and Free Software
2. OpenSource GIS
3. JUMP GIS and OpenJUMP
4. Why using FOSS as researcher … ?
UZH GIS BrownBag 1. Nov 2007 48
Why using FOSS?
Rationals…- no need to re-invent the wheel- saves money (no license fees)- is scalable (server applications)- best documentation available: the source code- adapt it to your needs- take it with you, and use it wherever you are- open source supports research principles:
„experiments must be reproducable“
Drawback: somebody may exploit your developments!
BUT.. You can stand on the shoulder of others, and as researcher you are probably paid by the society. So let‘s returnsomething…
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5. Summary
You have seen…
• what „OpenSource“/Free Software means
• GPL misconceptions and myths
• OS GIS projects
• A selection of FOS Desktop GIS
• OpenJUMP GIS Strengths and Weaknesses
• delivered rationals for using FOSS
UZH GIS BrownBag 1. Nov 2007 50
Thank you for listening!
My Question: Is OpenJUMP GIS approaching your Desktop?