Long gone are the snide comments from people “Why do you use that Open Source shit?” I’m not sure if this is because of how my life has changed or if Open Source has just became more accepted. I’m going to go with more accepted. What I’m going to cover in this blog are common questions I field when I talk to people who want to escape and go open source. Feel free to comment, as this is a topic I love to discuss.
- How did you do it?
I made my first moves into the world of FOSS4G tech back in 2008. I was working on a project for a national emergency management agency, and they wanted to have a map embedded in their BI tool. Instead of slapping in a flex viewer or something else, I put in OpenLayers. Since its pure Javascript, there wasn’t an issue with an Authority To Operate(ATO). I checked beforehand.
Also on this application, we were suppose to crank out data feeds of point information. This data was in a non spatial database as XY coordinates with a reference to a graphics file for the iconology. Instead of running this through ArcGIS server, I created a KML and GeoRSS (remember 2008) Feeds as a Windows service. These services ran every minute. When ESRI asked what we were using our ArcGIS Server for, my reply was just “The Client wanted the Flex Viewer, the software is still in a box.” Once the OpenLayers viewer showed how extensible it was compared to the Flex Viewer, the other contractor ESRI heads freaked out. Then suddenly it wasn’t approved for the network.
After that project I never touched another ESRI viewer again. It was all OpenLayers until Leaflet came out.
2. Do you still keep up with ESRI Tech?
Nothing directly, I mean I get passive information from twitter and such. I’m pretty far removed. I downloaded ArcEarth a while back. I did take a particular interest in Insights. Because they’re pushing into an established market as an underdog. ESRI seldom finds itself in an underdog position, so this should be interesting. Pass the Popcorn.
3. Do you miss the UC?
No, I was pretty burnt out on it before. Which might have been why it was easy to break away. The last 2 I attended, I went to the Convention Center when I had to speak. The rest of the time I was on the beach, working or drinking.
I get why people love it, the energy, the conversations. I think these cloud people’s judgement and if they ask themselves “what did I learn at the UC, that was in a session or a panel.” Sure you get demos of the latest ESRI Tech, but what did you learn that you couldn’t learn in a blog post.
While FOSS4G isn’t as big, not by a long shot, I find them to be much more informative. The small group where you know everyone there is also nice.
4. There’s so much, what should I focus on?
This really depends — Are you a web person? Focus on Javascript, Node and all the cool GL stuff coming out. Are you an Analyst? Focus on R and/or Python. But everyone and I mean EVERYONE, needs to have a basic understanding of databases, and SQL/Spatial SQL. Databases ain’t going anywhere anytime soon.
5. How can I break free?
Persistence and burning free time. Find places in your workflow where FOSS4G tech will make your job easier. Bonus points if you can find a place where it will make other’s people job easier. Little bit here, little bit there, and next thing you know you’re in a hybrid solution. Always be able to back up your technology with metrics. Even though technically it is a violation of ESRI’s EULA to have a “shoot out”. Saying “Well it did take this long, and now it takes this long” should be fine. I’d start with either figuring out a way to work QGIS or GDAL into your workflow, and before you know it you’ll have Monsanto’d them.
Its a long, and sometimes lonely road. But there is a community out there have been/are going through the same thing you are. It takes work, but in the end you’ll find the journey is worth it.
Still waiting on the FOSS4G committee to wrap up their process in the session selection process. As soon as they are done, I’ll have an entry up as soon as possible.
