FOSS4G in India

- Challenges Ahead

K S RajanInternational Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad

& Treasurer, OSGeo-India

rajan@iiit.ac.in

Presented at Seminar on “Open Source Initiatives”

At Geospatial World Forum, Hyderabad. Sept 26, 2010

How did FOSS

become part of my work• Primarily, a Modelling guy

– GIS based models

– Process oriented Models is more the focus

• Analytics – pre-requisite for Modelling• Analytics – pre-requisite for Modelling

– Need tools

– Modify the tools, if they are unable to extract

what we want

• Analysis is based on Data

– Where is the data?

Analytics

• Is it tool-centric or idea-centric ?

• Are there enough tools to do Analysis?

– both effectively and efficiently

– are we back to our scribbling ways– are we back to our scribbling ways

– OR are we are part of the innovation, process

discovery chain…

• So, Science/Research needs to create

new methods

– Developers are part of this!!

In India, where are we ?

Developers : Users

1 1000 or 10,000

In India, where are we ?

Developers : Users

1 1000 50,000 to 100,000

In India, where are we ?

Developers : Users

1 1000 50,000 to 100,000

So, what are the challenges ?

Challenges in the Indian Context

• Language Localization – Data Collection to Manipulation to GeoDB management

• Data Interoperabilitydriven by tools and not – Very localized applications - driven by tools and not

needs!!

– Formats and Parameters – unification of Data Model will take time

• Data Ownership + Security– Though largely Govt., Distributed Authorities

– Map Policy & RS Policy of India

FOSS4G - Opportunities

• Simple tools – Many takers

– Panchayats to Districts

– Customization of tools are needed

• Enabling Local Language

– From data creation to Need Assessment

• Research

– Develop new techniques/technologies by

leveraging State-of-Art

Some Examples

(1) OpenJump Localization(1) OpenJump Localization

(2) Collab Mapping tool for

Village Resource GeoDB

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Sample Screenshot

in Telugu

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Sample Screenshot

in Malayalam

Sample Screenshot

in Malayalam

Sample Screenshot

in Malayalam

Collaborative Mapping Platform (1)

• Crowd-sourcing of Spatial Data

– GPS based inputs

– Satellite Images / Raster based

• Use any WMS data in the background• Use any WMS data in the background

• Attributes based on needs

– Local sourcing

– Structuring Unstructured data

• Centralised Geo-DB

Collaborative Mapping Platform (2)

• Further plans

– GPS device detection and upload

• GPS-Babel hacked

– SMS based input– SMS based input

– Village level data generation, correction and

update

– Case studies based Semantic Standardization

• Cultural / Language aspects

• Attribute specifications

DEMO

Where do we go as a Community?

• Promote or shackle Innovation

• Spark the young minds or we just minds or we just need more of “computer skilled draftsman”

• Is there a way to get out of this vicious cycle?

FOSS4G is the way …….