|
|
| GeoCommunity Mailing List |
| |
| Mailing List Archives |
| Subject: | Re: [gislist] GIS software/hardware donations for 3rd World |
| Date: |
01/21/2005 11:55:01 AM |
| From: |
Frank Warmerdam |
|
|
On Fri, 21 Jan 2005 10:18:09 -0500, Anthony Quartararo
<ajq3@spatialnetworks.com> wrote:
> Rick,
>
> Why not approach the problem from a fresh perspective? I am speaking of the
> as-of-yet unfulfilled spatial ASP business model.
Anthony,
I think an ASP model for some sorts of mapping and spatial data
analysis could be valuable, but my understanding is that dependable
high speed network access is a big challenge in much of Africa.
An ASP model might work well for some federal employees or
major universities, but that once you get out into field offices
internet access drops off dramatically.
Earlier this week I spoke with a UNEP staffer who said that for
practical purposes a CD with data and software goes alot further
amoung his user community in Africa than web services of various
kinds.
So spatial ASP solutions may be a solution, but not necessarily to
the question that was asked.
I would also like to support Ned's point. I think Open Source
can provide a useful option in the developing world. It can be
very helpful for "capacity building" as folks get to know it and
are even able to contribute back. But it also suffers from some
dependence on network access to get bug fixes, read online
docs and most importantly interact with the user community. At
least much of that can be practically (if slighly painfully) achieved
over slow and inconsistent network links.
Best regards,
--
---------------------------------------+--------------------------------------
I set the clouds in motion - turn up | Frank Warmerdam, warmerdam@pobox.com
light and sound - activate the windows | http://pobox.com/~warmerdam
and watch the world go round - Rush | Geospatial Programmer for Rent
_______________________________________________
gislist mailing list
gislist@lists.geocomm.com
http://lists.geocomm.com/mailman/listinfo/gislist
_________________________________
This list is brought to you by
The GeoCommunity
http://www.geocomm.com/
Get Access to the latest GIS & Geospatial Industry RFPs and bids
http://www.geobids.com
|
|
Sponsored by:
For information
regarding
advertising rates
Click Here!
|
