Open Source Approaches in Spatial Data Handling

This book focuses on the nature and characteristics of open source geospatial (OSG) software. The role of OSG approaches in spatial data handling is the cross-cutting theme of the book. Various sub-themes are explored that introduce readers unfamiliar to OSG software to the nature, purpose and applications of OS programming, and to the key new OS tools and their application within the geospatial data domain. The book also includes a discussion of new tools, approaches and applications for those already using OS approaches to software development. TOC:Foreward.- Section I: OSG Foundations.- Chapter 1: Governments and OSG Initiatives.- Chapter 2: Business Model Development for OSG Initiatives.- Chapter 3: Partnerships Between Industry and Communities of Practice Through Use of OS Tools.- Chapter 4: The Mapserver Project.- Chapter 5: The Geospatial Data Abstraction Library (GDAL).- Chapter 6: OSG Application Development and Industry Strategies.- Chapter 7: Geotools Software.- Chapter 8: PostGIS and UDig Projects.- Chapter 9: Geographical Resources Analysis Support System (GRASS) Tool.- Section II: Tools.- Section III: Applications.- Chapter 10: Spatial Data Exploration and Knowledge Discovery.- Chapter 11: Mapchat Objectives and Architecture.- Chapter 12: TerraLib GIS Library.

Geospatial Open Source and Open Standards Convergences.- Free Software and Open Source Business Models.- Communities of Practice and the Business of Open Source Web Mapping.- MapServer.- The Geospatial Data Abstraction Library.- Open Source Databases and Their Spatial Extensions.- MapGuide Open Source.- Geo Tools.- GRASS GIS.- GeoVISTA Studio: Reusability by Design.- Design and Implementation of a Map-Centred Synchronous Collaboration Tool Using Open Source Components: The MapChat Project.- TerraLib: An Open Source GIS Library for Large-Scale Environmental and Socio-Economic Applications.

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