hotosm / hotosm-project-ideas

A place to forge new ideas for HOT projects. Started as a repository for the GSoC and Outreachy programs.
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Create a Portable OSM Toolkit #15

Open cgiovando opened 9 years ago

cgiovando commented 9 years ago

Proposed by: Cristiano Giovando (@cgiovando)
Summary: The goal of this project is to create a customized version of OSGeo Live to include a specific set of tools for working with OpenStreetMap data. The development can either enhance the current OSGeo Live by adding tools, or else create a separate streamlined version with just OSM tools and a smaller subset of GIS utilities. The final product will be used for training, outreach and easy field work deployment.
Skills Required: Debian packaging, bash, Java, Python
Possible Mentors: Angelos Tzotsos (@kalxas), Cameron Shorter (@camerons)
Notes:

cgiovando commented 9 years ago

We should create a tentative subset of software to include in order to identify required skills.

Here's comprehensive list from the OSM wiki: http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Software/Desktop

kalxas commented 9 years ago

In the above list of software I can see many tools that are included in OSGeoLive already, but definitely not all of them, the list is too long. We have to identify which are 1. Under a FOSS license, 2. available on Ubuntu platform Then we need to evaluate disk space needed to install some/all of them. I am pretty sure that all those projects do not fit into the 4GB iso.

kalxas commented 9 years ago

Also, we need to allocate some effort to update the OSM documentation in OSGeoLive and make sure the workflows are up to date.

epifanio commented 9 years ago

Hi, I'm back working on the live and i can dedicate some time this week to identify projects from that list that are already installed on the live. For those software i'll try the docs and quickstarts on the latest osgeolive. I'll report here soon.

epifanio commented 9 years ago

from a first look on that list i filtered out the apps with a linux version and with a 'free' license https://gist.github.com/46da861ff12970232fea i'll compare this list with the sw installed on the live and i'll try to generate a new table (with metadata etc ..) like the one on OSM wiki with the missed sw

yohanboniface commented 9 years ago

FYI, this is the list of software I used to install when preparing Ubuntu desktops for field missions: http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Humanitarian_OSM_Team/Preparing_field_mission

Also, even if Lubuntu is lighter, my opinion is that Unity is a better choice for computers dedicated to humans, in the sense of a much more intuitive UI (Dock + Dash and you can do everything). But I'm just sharing my experience, not trying to have a debate :)

epifanio commented 9 years ago

Hi yohanboniface, thanks for the list. I agree on Unity Vs Lubuntu (i also prefer gnome3 to unity). The choice of lubuntu for the osgeo-live is because it's lightweight compared with unity (booting and running from usb is a little bit quicker) and on the OSGeo-Live we also have a "space issues" because the final live has to include mac/windows installer etc.. and it is limited to the size of a dvd (4.3 gb) For this project i immagine :

I'm familiar with docker container too, which can be considered in addition to all the other options. The build of such container will be most useful for 'server-side' and "db" applications. One of the advantage of docker images is that it is multiplatform and the container can be built and stored online (which make things extremely easy to deploy)

I'm available most of the time on irc.freenode.net #osgeolive (epifanio) to chat more on the topic and make a better plan on how to deveop this idea.

bgirardot commented 9 years ago

For what it is worth: Recently having reasons to run Ubuntu 14.04 and Lubuntu 14.10, the usability difference on low end hardware and in virtual machines is dramatic. Ubuntu proper was basically not usable with several, like 5-10 seconds for menus and windows to appear, lubuntu, totally fine, not even slow really, same hardware, dramatic difference.

bgirardot commented 9 years ago

This project has been moved to the OpenStreetMap Google Summer of Code project list: http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Google_Summer_of_Code/2015/Project_Ideas#Project_Ideas