Comments on: Making Open Source GIS Easier http://spatialgalaxy.net/2006/07/12/making-open-source-gis-easier/ Exploring the Realms of GIS Sat, 04 Feb 2012 13:44:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Asagai http://spatialgalaxy.net/2006/07/12/making-open-source-gis-easier/comment-page-1/#comment-682 Asagai Mon, 29 Jan 2007 18:26:52 +0000 http://spatialgalaxy.net/2006/07/12/making-open-source-gis-easier/#comment-682 I am experincing problems getting GIS to work on my OS X machine. I REALLY wish there was just a clear list that provided a list of what had to be installed from A-Z. A CLEAR LIST....DUMB PROOF!! -Asagai I am experincing problems getting GIS to work on my OS X machine. I REALLY wish there was just a clear list that provided a list of what had to be installed from A-Z. A CLEAR LIST….DUMB PROOF!!

-Asagai

]]> By: Wackwitz http://spatialgalaxy.net/2006/07/12/making-open-source-gis-easier/comment-page-1/#comment-247 Wackwitz Mon, 01 Jan 2007 17:15:20 +0000 http://spatialgalaxy.net/2006/07/12/making-open-source-gis-easier/#comment-247 Large icons are good... Large icons are good…

]]> By: James Fee http://spatialgalaxy.net/2006/07/12/making-open-source-gis-easier/comment-page-1/#comment-75 James Fee Fri, 14 Jul 2006 18:43:16 +0000 http://spatialgalaxy.net/2006/07/12/making-open-source-gis-easier/#comment-75 Gary, I think the old QGIS page had it right. Those large download buttons for the binary builds was brilliant. So easy to get the product downloaded, plus you could figure out what version just by the icon. Gary, I think the old QGIS page had it right. Those large download buttons for the binary builds was brilliant. So easy to get the product downloaded, plus you could figure out what version just by the icon.

]]> By: spatialguru http://spatialgalaxy.net/2006/07/12/making-open-source-gis-easier/comment-page-1/#comment-74 spatialguru Fri, 14 Jul 2006 02:23:26 +0000 http://spatialgalaxy.net/2006/07/12/making-open-source-gis-easier/#comment-74 I couldn't agree more, Gary. Docs and binary builds are so intensely needed yet are so neglected and sometimes elusive. I'm not sure that it is simply that developers are too busy with normal stuff, but I believe it takes a different kind of person to really get a thrill out of it - so I see the neglect as somewhat natural depending on who is on the team. Part of the challenge, that I know you're aware of, is building up a diverse set of users who feel that they are part of the core team even though they may never contribute code or improve the product. Speaking from experience, I've seen projects that had documentation (i.e. written by the project owners) that could really use some help but since I was not a core user or developer I feared to step on any toes. I've since learned that just because some rudimentary docs exist it doesn't mean that the core developers want to leave it that way. So, what is it about source code that makes it so resistant to being compiled for broader use? ;) Maybe we need some genetic mutation to help make it more compile-friendly. Let me know when you want me to bring over my DNA splicer - we'll take care of those nasty binary-resistant genes... Tyler I couldn’t agree more, Gary. Docs and binary builds are so intensely needed yet are so neglected and sometimes elusive. I’m not sure that it is simply that developers are too busy with normal stuff, but I believe it takes a different kind of person to really get a thrill out of it – so I see the neglect as somewhat natural depending on who is on the team.
Part of the challenge, that I know you’re aware of, is building up a diverse set of users who feel that they are part of the core team even though they may never contribute code or improve the product. Speaking from experience, I’ve seen projects that had documentation (i.e. written by the project owners) that could really use some help but since I was not a core user or developer I feared to step on any toes. I’ve since learned that just because some rudimentary docs exist it doesn’t mean that the core developers want to leave it that way.
So, what is it about source code that makes it so resistant to being compiled for broader use? ;) Maybe we need some genetic mutation to help make it more compile-friendly. Let me know when you want me to bring over my DNA splicer – we’ll take care of those nasty binary-resistant genes…

Tyler

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