In this module, you will begin considering open source software and additional methods to explore geospatial data visualization and access. In the previous 2 modules, you’ve explored ESRI web app options, which rely on low/no code options for partially customizable geospatial web applications. In this module, you will explore open source geospatial web app options as a complement (or competitor) to ESRI options.

Additionally, this module will provide options for creating a geospatial data sharing web app, which is an effective option for the GEOG 583 term project. Providing access to data, either publicly or within an enterprise system, is an important component of geospatial analysis and design, since it’s a relevant and useful component of web app features.

The assignment for this module will require you to find and explain three different software solutions (e.g., web/mobile/desktop) that could be developed and implemented for your project. The software options should describe the relevant features of the potential software options, how the software options answer the problem outlined in Module 2, the benefits of the software options, and the disadvantages of the software options.

Then, you will describe the software selected, which will highlight the software option you selected and describe the solution and benefits of this software in more detail, especially as it relates to your project and in comparison to the other potential software options.

Assignments

Questions?

Please use the Discussion Forum to ask your classmates for additional suggestions as you are drafting your research questions. You can feel free to email me, and I will strive to respond within 48 hours. I am also available for a phone call or Zoom meeting upon request.

Although ESRI technology is the leading industry standard for geospatial data mapping technologies, many free and open-source software (FOSS) technologies have been developed as direct competitors to ESRI GIS software, including GRASS GIS, QGIS, open source web APIs, plus many more. All have their advantages and disadvantages. In this module, you will choose three geospatial mapping technologies as potential solutions to your proposed geospatial design problem and describe the details, benefits, and disadvantages of all three, described as “concepts considered”. Then, you will choose one concept, and outline the specific features, details, and benefits that justify it as the final selected concept.

Figure 1: Open-source software available for mapping including for remote sensing, desktop GIS, mobile GIS, database management, web maps, web servers, and development.

Credit: Steiniger, Stefan & Hunter, Andrew. (2013). The 2012 Free and Open-Source GIS Software Map – A Guide to facilitate Research, Development, and Adoption. Computers, Environment and Urban Systems. 39. 10.1016/j.compenvurbsys.2012.10.003. 

Figure 1 above shows the open-source software available for mapping including for remote sensing, desktop GIS features, mobile GIS features, database management system, web maps, web servers, and development tools. Read the attached scholarly articles and do your own exploratory on these FOSS options to determine which one is most applicable to your project.

Note* You can include any combination of FOSS software, proprietary software, or a combination of both for your own concepts considered. Additionally, you may explore multiple ESRI software options, multiple FOSS options, or any combination. This assignment offers a chance for you to research and explore different mapping software.

References:

Server options are great for housing geospatial data and making it available either in an enterprise system or for public availability. Several FOSS options are available, as outlined in Steiniger (2012), including GeoServer, MapServer, FeatureServer, QGIS Server.

ESRI also has a server/data hub option called ArcGIS Data Hub, which has been used in a variety of disciplines for storing data and making it publicly available. The ArcGIS Hub portal is also integrated with ExperienceBuilder and Survey123. ArcGIS Hub allows the public to have open access to data, facilitates sharing open data, and makes data accessible for download.

The Gulf of Mexico Alliance has produced a ArcGIS Hub for sharing water quality data of the Gulf of Mexico oceans.

Figure 1: An example of the homepage of the Gulf of Mexico Alliance ArcGIS Data Hub for sharing water quality data.

Credit: Brandi Gaertner.  “Current GOMOD Theme Map Inventory”. Accessed November 27, 2024. Digital Screenshot. 

Similarly, the Nationalmap.gov data portal uses the ArcGIS Hub online software powered by ESRI for providing free and publicly available national data.

Figure 2: The National Map Viewer Data Hub, which provides data access to a variety of FOSS government data including Elevation, boundaries, hydrography, etc

Credit: Credit: Brandi Gaertner. “USGS topoBuilder”. Accessed November 27, 2024. Digital Screenshot. Found at USGS.

References:

In the first reading, you will focus on the Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) options for your GIS design. The article discusses the different “groups” of FOSS including for remote sensing, databases, Web Servers, Web Maps, Desktop GIS, and others.

Software implementation and consideration is carried out early in all system designs with the purpose of collecting and prioritizing needs, developing alternative software options to meet the needs, and selecting a preferred one as the basis for development and implementation.

Here a software option is an underlying idea important to the end-product, such as creating a neighborhood watch system that relies on the implementation of a software for collecting crowd-sourced data. An effective software solution serves as the foundation upon which the product is built. A software solutions helps the designers stay on track throughout the development process by ensuring a product of value to the target audience. These software considerations can be illustrated with sketches, images, or text. Choosing the correct software solution demands a clear understanding of the problem to be solved, the target audience, and the requirements. The number of software options that should be considered depends largely on how much time is available. However, the consideration of multiple software solutions prior to completing the design is a sign of analytic rigor and helps us avoid the bias of mindsets.

In our Design Proposal, the Software Considered and Selected section describes the software options you explored in search of a solution. The section addresses both existing approaches and any unique software options that were considered as you worked through the design process. The section summarizes the scope of ideas considered and highlights the most creative and relevant software for the solution.

Once you have explored the software considered and software selection sections, you can move on to the Lesson 3 Term Project: Software Selection Assignment.