WAURISA: OSGeo Introduction to Open Source GIS

4 May 2009 Geoff Zeiss

I’m at WAURISA in Bellevue, WA for a geospatial conference for a few days.  The first day is devoted to workshops.  The Open Source Geospatial Foundation (OSGeo) presented an introduction to open source geospatial applications and frameworks, including desktop and web-based.  It was a very well-attended session with 50 to 60 people, most of whom had no prior open source geospatial experience.

DSCN3818a_resize There were excellent talks about how to access data, do geoprocessing, and create maps using a variety open source geospatial software applications and frameworks.  

Aaron Racicot talked about QGIS and its integration using plug-ins including GRASS and ftools, a new set of python scripts written by Carsten Farmer.  It’s amazing how far QGIS has come in the last year or two.  

Karsten Venneman talked about a general architecture for web geospatial applications. It’s interesting that there are so many open source alternatives that a general architecture for enabling them to interoperate among themselves including mapping engines like MapServer, MapGuide, GeoServer, and others as well as with proprietary applications has become very important. 

Dane Springmeyer gave an excellent overview of Mapnik and GeoDjango with some really cool examples.
Geoff Zeiss

Geoff Zeiss

Geoff Zeiss has more than 20 years experience in the geospatial software industry and 15 years experience developing enterprise geospatial solutions for the utilities, communications, and public works industries. His particular interests include the convergence of BIM, CAD, geospatial, and 3D. In recognition of his efforts to evangelize geospatial in vertical industries such as utilities and construction, Geoff received the Geospatial Ambassador Award at Geospatial World Forum 2014. Currently Geoff is Principal at Between the Poles, a thought leadership consulting firm. From 2001 to 2012 Geoff was Director of Utility Industry Program at Autodesk Inc, where he was responsible for thought leadership for the utility industry program. From 1999 to 2001 he was Director of Enterprise Software Development at Autodesk. He received one of ten annual global technology awards in 2004 from Oracle Corporation for technical innovation and leadership in the use of Oracle. Prior to Autodesk Geoff was Director of Product Development at VISION* Solutions. VISION* Solutions is credited with pioneering relational spatial data management, CAD/GIS integration, and long transactions (data versioning) in the utility, communications, and public works industries. Geoff is a frequent speaker at geospatial and utility events around the world including Geospatial World Forum, Where 2.0, MundoGeo Connect (Brazil), Middle East Spatial Geospatial Forum, India Geospatial Forum, Location Intelligence, Asia Geospatial Forum, and GITA events in US, Japan and Australia. Geoff received Speaker Excellence Awards at GITA 2007-2009.

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