|
|
| GeoCommunity Mailing List |
| |
| Mailing List Archives |
| Subject: | RE: GISList: re: Linux RS and GIS software for the masses |
| Date: |
06/10/2002 07:58:37 AM |
| From: |
Dimitri Rotow |
|
|
David,
Let me respond to just a few of your points, since one of them can represent
the others as an archetype of the Linux response to demand for mass-market
software.
>
> > > Web mapping - UMN MapServer
> > > Spatial Database - PostGIS with PostgreSQL
> >
> > You're kidding, right? Remember, the original posting was about "mass"
> > markets...
>
> I simply wanted to highlight software that was technically robust, with
> active user communities. When the alternative for Spatial Databases is
> 30k a pop ... why wouldn't this be attractive?
>
Because it's not an interactive approach. We're talking mass market
interactive applications here, not server appliances. Linux people seem
determined not to understand that "mass market => interactive". This is a
very different approach than wiring together black box server appliances
(ie, non-interactive applications). Yes, there is a small percentage of
people who like to approach their computing life in this way, but that's not
the path to mass usage.
For that matter, even within the server appliance community the whole idea
of spatial databases is a very niche idea. Modern GIS users (ie, not those
satisfied with legacy junk) want greater performance and functionality than
can be obtained with such things in interactive usage.
>
>
> Before I get into responding to the rest of your arguments below, I
> think I'd better state a baseline here. I see over and over references
> to the "$245 package" which I assume refers to Manifold. I know we
> picked up a license of this a couple of years ago, but never used it
Before you go on, if you bought it a couple of years ago you purchased
either Release 4.00 or 4.50. Manifold is now Release 5.00. This provides a
good example of the tremendous acceleration of functionality obtained from a
well-funded commercial team as opposed to open source.
4.00 was a vector GIS only a dedicated fan of network analytics could love.
In six months, Manifold evolved into 4.50, which was a typical interactive
vector GIS in the old style, i.e., functionally about the same as ArcView or
MapInfo, but with more analytic capabilities and better databases.
In eighteen months, Manifold evolved into 5.00, which integrates vector
drawings, raster images, raster data sets, surfaces in 2D or 3D, and by far
the best database capabilities in GIS (exceeding most DBMS packages). It
includes Manifold IMS, an internet map server. The image processing
capabilities for graphics arts, image processing or remote sensing
applications exceed those in packages costing many thousands of dollars. It
is unique (or nearly so) in allowing simultaneous use of vector and raster
layers in way that they not only interact with the user but with each other.
For example, you can transfer selections from vector to raster layes and
vice versa. It includes a neurofuzzy inference engine for "more like this"
computer-assisted knowledge exploration as well as a fuzzy logic Decision
Support System for flexible queries and greatly extended SQL. Oh, yes... it
also includes a development environment for those who like to script, using
the languages most widely distributed through computing: Visual Basic
scripting, Javascript and (for free if you download the ActiveX engines)
PERL or Python. All that for $245. Now, where in open source is there such
rapid advancement in a mere 18 months?
See http://www.manifold.net/products/mfd50pro/mfd50pro_home.html for the
5.00 home page. This includes links to 5.00 information pages, including the
complete manual. This page also includes links to sample web pages created
with the Manifold Internet Map server that is included within 5.00.
> much and I have to admit I never got to the bottom of why not. The fact
> is though that Manifold is not at this time an alternative that our
> clients are looking at. I can only imagine it's because of one of two
> reasons:
>
> a) if the package really is a viable alternative to an ESRI, MapInfo,
> Intergaph, etc... solution, then @ $245 a license, Manifold's marketing
> / Business dev't aren't doing their job.
> b) $245 represents the true value of the software relative to the
> others.
>
This is exactly what DEC and Data General folks said just before Dell and
Gateway wiped them out. It's the classic blind spot that prevents them from
competing effectively before it's too late.
manifold.net doesn't advertise, nor are there any dealer, distributor or
referral programs. Everyone buying in volume gets the same discount,
starting at 20% for five units. All sales flow through Internet direct to
every customer. Every customer can tell the factory exactly what they like
and what they don't like, and the factory listens. This is the same d
|
|
Sponsored by:
For information
regarding
advertising rates
Click Here!
|
