Websites using Osgeo

Okay, let s break down OSGeo:

What is OSGeo?

OSGeo (Open Source Geospatial Foundation) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to support and promote the collaborative development of open source geospatial technologies. It s not a single product or software. Instead, it s an umbrella organization that fosters a community around various open-source geospatial projects.

Key aspects of OSGeo:

• Community-driven: It s a collaborative effort involving developers, users, researchers, and organizations worldwide.
• Open Source: The software projects under the OSGeo umbrella are released under open-source licenses. This means the source code is freely available, and users can modify, distribute, and use the software without restrictions (within the terms of the license).
• Geospatial Focus: The projects are all related to geographic information systems (GIS), location-based services (LBS), and geospatial data.
• Diverse Projects: OSGeo supports a wide range of software projects covering different areas of geospatial technology.

Examples of OSGeo Projects (Very Important to Understand OSGeo):

These are tools you might actually use that are under the OSGeo umbrella. Think of OSGeo as the parent organization that helps these tools thrive.

• QGIS: A powerful, user-friendly, and free and open-source geographic information system (GIS). It s a desktop application for viewing, editing, and analyzing geospatial data. Often considered the most popular open-source GIS desktop application.
• GDAL/OGR: A translator library for raster and vector geospatial data formats. It s a core component of many GIS applications and libraries. It s used for reading and writing geospatial data files.
• PostGIS: A spatial database extender for PostgreSQL. It adds support for geographic objects, allowing you to store and query geospatial data in a database.
• GeoServer: An open-source server for sharing geospatial data. It implements open standards like WMS (Web Map Service), WFS (Web Feature Service), and WCS (Web Coverage Service), allowing you to publish your data online.
• MapServer: Another open-source platform for publishing spatial data and interactive mapping applications to the web.
• GRASS GIS: A comprehensive GIS software suite used for geospatial data management and analysis, image processing, graphics production, spatial modeling, and visualization.
• OpenLayers: A JavaScript library for displaying map data in web browsers. It s used to build interactive web maps.
• GeoNetwork: A metadata catalog application to manage spatially referenced resources.

Revenue:

OSGeo is a non-profit organization. It doesn t generate revenue in the traditional sense like a for-profit company. Its funding comes primarily from:

• Membership Dues: Organizations and individuals can become members of OSGeo and pay annual dues.
• Sponsorships: Companies and organizations sponsor OSGeo events and projects.
• Donations: Individuals and organizations can make donations to support OSGeo s activities.
• Grants: OSGeo may receive grants from government agencies or foundations.

This funding is used to support the infrastructure, development, and promotion of OSGeo projects.

Alternatives:

It s not entirely accurate to say there are alternatives to OSGeo as an organization. OSGeo is the organization. However, if you re looking for alternatives to specific OSGeo projects, that s a different story. Here s a breakdown:

• Alternatives to QGIS (Desktop GIS):
  • ArcGIS Pro (Esri): A commercial, industry-standard GIS software. Very powerful but expensive.
  • ArcGIS Desktop (Esri) The older version of ArcGIS Pro
  • Global Mapper (Blue Marble Geographics): A commercial GIS software focused on data conversion and terrain analysis.
  • Manifold System: A commercial GIS with a focus on performance and database integration.
• Alternatives to GeoServer (Web Map Server):
  • ArcGIS Server (Esri): A commercial web GIS server.
  • MapInfo Pro Server (Precisely): A commercial web mapping server.
• Alternatives to PostGIS (Spatial Database):
  • Oracle Spatial: A commercial spatial database option.
  • SQL Server Spatial: A commercial spatial database option from Microsoft.
  • Esri Geodatabase: Primarily used within the Esri ecosystem.
• Alternatives to OpenLayers (Web Mapping Library):
  • Leaflet: Another popular open-source JavaScript library for interactive maps. Generally considered simpler to use than OpenLayers.
  • Google Maps JavaScript API: A commercial (with free tier) mapping API from Google.
  • Mapbox GL JS: A commercial mapping library (with open-source components) focused on performance and custom styling.
  • ArcGIS API for JavaScript (Esri): Used for building web applications that integrate with Esri s ArcGIS platform.

Important Considerations When Choosing Alternatives:

• Cost: Commercial software can be expensive, while OSGeo projects are generally free.
• Features: Commercial software often has a wider range of features and tools.
• Support: Commercial software typically offers dedicated support, while OSGeo projects rely on community support.
• Ease of Use: Some commercial software may have a more user-friendly interface.
• Scalability: Consider the scalability requirements of your project.
• Community: The community is generally responsive and useful in open source projects.

Pricing:

OSGeo projects are generally free of charge (though donations are welcomed!). You may incur costs for:

• Hardware: Servers to host geospatial data or run GIS applications.
• Cloud Services: Hosting data and applications in the cloud.
• Consulting: Hiring consultants to help with implementation, training, or development.
• Support (Optional): Some companies offer commercial support for OSGeo projects.
• Data: You may need to purchase geospatial data from commercial providers.

Customer Care/Support:

OSGeo itself doesn t provide direct customer care in the traditional sense. Support for OSGeo projects is primarily community-based. You can find help through:

• Mailing Lists: Each OSGeo project typically has its own mailing list where users can ask questions and get help from other users and developers. This is often the primary support channel.
• Forums: Some projects have forums where users can discuss issues and share knowledge.
• Documentation: OSGeo projects typically have comprehensive documentation that explains how to use the software.
• Stack Overflow: A popular Q&A website where you can find answers to common questions about OSGeo projects. Use relevant tags like qgis, gdal, postgis, etc.
• Commercial Support (Optional): Some companies offer commercial support for specific OSGeo projects. This can provide a more reliable and timely response.
• IRC Channels: Some projects use Internet Relay Chat for real-time communication and support.

Key Takeaways:

• OSGeo is an organization that supports open-source geospatial software.
• It doesn t sell software; it fosters a community around free and open-source geospatial tools.
• Support is primarily community-based, though commercial support options exist.
• Consider your specific needs and resources when choosing between OSGeo projects and commercial alternatives. OSGeo projects are excellent choices for those who want powerful tools and are willing to learn and engage with the community.