1. A GIS example in Open Source
Software
And a few other comments
Local Authority Open Source Forum
25th Jan 2011
Mel McIntyre
2. Mel McIntyre
Non executive director of OpenForum Europe since
2005 and founder and chair of an OFE partner in
Ireland – participates in GOSCON (US),
ZeaPartners, OpenIreland, OpenNI, Connected
Health
Founder and Managing Director of OpenApp, a
software development and support company since
2002 focusing of OSS solutions in business, health
and education sectors
18 years at Amdahl Corporation in test, engineering,
quality roles, 3 years at Silicon Valley start-up Rise
Technology in microprocessor development – also
Mobilink Telecom and DMR Consulting
3. Key message
Open Source Software,Open
Standards
Open Commons, Open Data
all fueling a culture of
collaboration, sharing, and
reuse, making it easier to join up
public services and making it more
attractive and supportive for staff to
engage and innovate
4. Open Source Software
OSS
Free and Open Source Software
FOSS
Free/Libre Open Source Software
FLOSS
5. What is Open Source Software
Software just like any other but free of
license costs
Software that comes with a license that
provides the user with certain freedoms
− freedom to use for any purpose
− freedom to copy the software
− freedom to view and modify the source
code
− freedom re-distribute modified versions
6. Software examples
Infrastructure – Linux Operating System - XEN –
Virtualbox - Thin Client
Mail and Groupware – Sendmail, Cyrus IMAP - Open
Exchange - Zimbra, OpenLDAP
Network - Smoothwall firewalls – Apache web server
Content Management, Document Management and
and Websites – Drupal, Plone, Alfresco, MediaWiki,
Nuxeo CPS
Database – MySQL, PostgreSQL, PostGIS, Ingres, Sap
MaxDB
Business Intelligence – Eclipse BIRT, Pantaho,
OpenREPORTS, Jasper
Customer Relations – SugerCRM, Compiere
10. GIS and Statistics in HSE
Health Atlas Ireland – Health Intelligence in the Health
Service Executive in Ireland
Health Atlas Ireland is a web application portal
supporting Health Service Planning, Analysis and
Monitoring.
It is built completely on Open Source web framework
integrating geographic, statistical and database
components with supporting libraries and
infrastructure components
Supports collaboration within Health (Hospitals,
LHOs, Colleges (Surgeons, Phycians, Nursing) and
with external agencies – HPSC, DCU, TCD, NUIM,
Environment, Road Safety, Ordnance Survey,
41. Barriers to using OSS
• Access to affordable support – onsite configuration, problem solving, usage
– There is generally less obvious support in the business space for OSS
– Software often covered under capital budget or as % of – consulting
support often expense
• Local expertise – most successes seem to be built on the commitment of
individuals rather than commitment from the 'system'
• Too much software – how to choose what is useful
– Similar issue to using 'free demonstration' versions of proprietary
applications - it takes time and commitment to evaluate - keep the OSS
software should it fit your need
• No vendor push – nobody selling, limited marketing collateral, the vendor business
models are in their infancy
• Brand and career issues – ?DB versus Oracle, OpenOffice versus MS Office,
PostGIS versus ArcIMS, R versus Sas
• Poor understanding of OSS coupled with a 'procurement/tendering'
mentality
42. Strategies to deploy
Embed an open source culture of sharing, re-use and collaborative development
Ensure that there are no procedural barriers to the adoption of open source
products . . . paying particular regard to the different business models and
supply chain relationships involved.
Ensure that systems integrators and proprietary software suppliers demonstrate
the same flexibility and ability to re-use their solutions and products as is
inherent in open source.
Adopt open standards
Ensure that open source solutions are considered properly taking into account
other advantages, such as re-use and flexibility
The notion of an Application Store – shared repository of applications or code
Strengthen the skills, experience and capabilities to use open source to greatest
advantage - participate in conferences, encouraging staff to present and get
involved
