Open Source Web Mapping
Open Source Web Mapping
a nondevelopers perspective
Andrew Parker
Penn State University
Masters in Geographical Information Systems
Capstone Project
Advisor: Frank Hardisty
May 2009
Presentation Objective
• introduce a tutorial on how to build an open
source web map from a nondevelopers
perspective—from installing a Linux operating
system to building a web map.
• discuss common user errors
• after attending the presentation, attendees will
have familiarity with the tutorial, allowing a
successful experience building an open source
web map.
Capstone Objective
• to document the process of publishing a
web map on the Internet, step by step,
from a nondeveloper's perspective
• answer common questions for the GIS
professional who may want to explore
open source web mapping
– Which applications do I need?
– How do the applications work together?
The Result
a free, usereditable HowTo and tutorial
www.source3.com
select the MGIS WIKI tab
Which brings you to...the WIKI
Using the Wiki
Be sure to read:
• MGIS Home Page
• Introduction
Register and login
to post comments
Using the Wiki
LINUX OS
• do NOT rush and read carefully
ü especially “Installing Ubuntu”
• command line interface
Using the Wiki
Install web mapping
applications
Using the Wiki
Nothing to install, demos only.
Slides showing comparisons
are coming.
Using the Wiki
Your patients put to the test.
Yes, there is more
configuration
ATTENTION!!!
remember that I stated
“DO NOT RUSH and READ CAREFULLY”
Web Mapping GUI Comparisons
• all use the same PostGIS database
• all are running off of a Linux server and
Apache
• all use MapServer to access the PostGIS
database and render symbology
These GUIs can be accessed interactively
following the links in the WIKI
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Fusion for MapServer Example
MapFish Example
Putting it all Together
Be Careful
I do not include steps how to “DROP” a
database, table, or user if commands are
incorrectly entered into the command line.
MapFish Install
the end product
Recent MapFish Application…Ubuntu Server
References
Balch. R. 200809. Petroleum Resource Research Center (personal communication).
Fusion For MapServer (n.d.) Retrieved June 2008 from http://trac.osgeo.org/fusion/.
Gilmore, W.J., & Treat, R.H. 2006. Beginning PHP and PostgreSQL 8. Berkley, CA:Apress.
Hudon, A, & Hudson, P. 2007. Ubuntu Unleased. Indiana: SAMS.
Install PostGreSQL on Ubuntu 8.04. Accessed October 2008 from http://hocuspokus.net/2008/05/install
postgresqlonubuntu804.
Kropla, B. 2005. Beginning MapServer: Open Source GIS Development. Berkley, CA:Apress.
MapFish (n.d.). Retrieved June 2008 from http://trac.mapfish.org/trac/mapfish/wiki.
MapServer. (2009). Retrieved June 2008 from http://mapserver.org/.
Matthew. N, & Stones, R. 2005. Beginning Databases with PostgreSQL: From Novice to Professional (2nd
ed.). Berkley, CA:Apress.
Mitchell, T. 2005. Web Mapping Illustrated (1st ed.). Sebastopol, CA: O’Reilly Media, Inc.
OpenLayers (n.d.). Retrieved April 2008 from http://openlayers.org/.
PostGIS. (n.d.) Retrieved June 2008 from http://postgis.refractions.net/.
PostGIS Wiki (n.d). Retrieved April 2009 from http://trac.osgeo.org/postgis/wiki/UsersWikiMain.
PostGreSQL (19962009). Retrieved October 2008 from http://www.postgresql.org/.
Tongjun, R. 200809. Petroleum Resource Research Center (personal communication).
Ubuntu 8.04 LTS Server. (2009). Retrieved June 2008 from http://www.ubuntu.com/.