Free and open source desktop and Web GIS solutions

Abstract

Community-based development through collaboration amongst software developers and researchers distributed globally has led to a wealth of feature-rich applications of Free and Open Source Software for Geoinformatics (FOSS4G). In the FOSS4G, development model online source code repository, mailing lists, and a Wiki provide the software developers and users with a virtual and ubiquitous platform for the implementation of new methods, algorithms, and tools as well as for refinement and enhancements of the existing code. For end users, this development model provides highly interoperable, sophisticated software at no cost. This approach is both flexible and immune to vendor lock-ins. Further, the reproducibility of results and quality assessment of methods is greatly facilitated since full access to the underlying algorithms is guaranteed. The source code is typically published under free and open source software licenses with end-user rights to run the program for any purpose, to study how the program works, to adapt it, and to redistribute copies including modifications. The FOSS4G offers software libraries for map projection and data format conversion, desktop Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Web mapping/Web–GIS, spatial databases, geostatistics, and metadata catalogues. Most FOSS4G software packages run natively on common operating systems and may be installed and used without restriction in any commercial or non-commercial environment at no cost for the end users. Open Source Geospatial Foundation (OSGeo, http:// www.osgeo.org) serves as an umbrella organization whose mission is to support the collaborative development of FOSS4G and promote their widespread use. OSGeo provides a common forum and shared infrastructure for improving cross-project collaboration. Acceptance of a project to OSGeo depends on a successful incubation process which includes a detailed source code audit to identify any license incompatibilities in the code. This incubation process also confirms that the project is supported by a healthy community, including validation of the rules and processes governing the project's management. Since its inception in 2006, OSGeo has been providing organizational support for building a vibrant international community to advance geospatial technologies and solutions using open source software, open data and open standards. This special issue is brought forth with the aim of presenting the rich capabilities of FOSS4G to foster original research and enable deployment of innovative solutions. The issue covers a broad range of topics, highlighting the diversity of methods, tools, and applications of FOSS4G. The first two papers introduce new tools and applications for vegetation analysis, first as a M. A. Brovelli (*) Environmental, Hydraulic, Infrastructures and Surveying Engineering Department, Politecnico di Milano-Campus Como, Via Natta 12/14, 22100 Como, Italy e-mail: maria.brovelli@polimi.it