Open Source and Free GIS Software
The goal of the following material is to explore and recommend legal options for those who would like to develop GIS or Spatial Appliance Software within open source code environments.
Free GIS and Mapping Software
Several web sites specialize in maintaining links to sources of "free" GIS software. "Free" software may or may not be open source. Some of the software linked on these sites may be "free" for only a trial period while you see if the software is fit for your purposes prior to a purchase decision.
Open Source GIS and Spatial Appliance Software
By open source GIS software we mean GIS software that has been developed using an open source license that allows other code writers to freely access and build upon the code. Further, the resulting core GIS software is freely useable by anyone in the world.
Most commercial companies allow only sufficient code to be made available to allow the software of other companies to interact with their software. The lead organization promoting and developing open interface specifications and interoperability across software platforms, applications and networks is the Open GIS Consortium (OGC). The core GIS software of most commercial companies is not open source.
1. Existing open source GIS software includes the following:
(- this section under development - check out all those listed by freegis.org with GPL or library GPL? does the MIT license qualify? etc. )
2. Current initiatives to develop open source GIS software and spatial appliances include the following:
3. Legal Options and Recommendations for Open Source GIS Development Initiatives
(material under development)