openwebgis-blog

[openwebgis-blog]

OpenWebGIS is working again

OpenWebGIS is running again after moving and a long period of non-working and you can use this free and open, browser based geographic information system (GIS) at the usual link. Besides earlier announced plans on system developing (read about it also at Digital-geography.com and Geoawesomeness.com) OpenWebGIS team sets the new goal to explore the possibility to use the new library version of OpenLayers 3 (now in the core of the system OpenLayers 2 is used). The result of the first experiments is available at the link ( it will be updated, please follow the changes). This experimental version we will call OpenWebGIS 2. While the version OpenWebGIS 1.0 still is the main, actual and constantly supported. This OpenWebGIS 1.0 version should be used for your  diverse tasks in cartography. Last month OpenWebGIS was working in the test mode, now it is fully functioning, but there are still some small technical problems - sometimes the system can be online unavailable.  In this case you should wait for a while and everything will be alright. You can use source code OpenWebGIS for your  projects. Copy and use it, it is possible to use the OpenWebGIS without having to connect to the server of OpenWebGIS and even without Internet connection. For doing this just download OpenWebGIS source code from GitHub or version for Android (source code for Android and APK file for Android OS). OpenWebGIS has new version of the interface. It is activated when you click on the «New Interface» button. The OpenWebGIS team sincerely thanks everyone who uses our system, supports us, helps with their advice, and publishes information about OpenWebGIS. We hope to continue cooperation. You can find detailed information about OpenWebGIS features and applications on our blog and at the opensource.com. The OpenWebGIS blog and a full list of articles about OpenWebGIS provide a lot of information about possibilities and specific features of OpenWebGIS.

[openwebgis-blog]

Import/Export of map layers from CSV file with WKT geometry in OpenWebGIS and QGIS

Almost in every Geographic information system (GIS) there is an opportunity to create maps (vector map layers) from files in CSV format. So CSV (Comma-separated values) file stores tabular data, that looks like numbers and text, in plain text. Each line of the file is a data record. Each record consists of one or more fields, separated by commas. In addition, the term "CSV" also denotes some closely related delimiter-separated formats that use different field delimiters. It is easy to add the data from such a file on a map, when it contains the information only about points and their attributes. In this case one field contains the longitude of the point, and in another field there is the latitude of the point. For example the file with the information about the major world cities looks like this: longitude,latitude,NAME,COUNTRY,POPULATION,CAPITAL 33.08604049999976,68.96354674999974,Murmansk,Russia,468000,N 40.646160130000375,64.52066803000004,Arkhangelsk,Russia,416000,N 30.453327180000375,59.95188904000009,Saint Petersburg,Russia,5825000,N 150.78001403999605,59.57099915000014,Magadan,Russia,152000,N 120.23000336000206,23.170000080000083,Tai-nan,Taiwan,656927,N 60.610130310000386,56.84654235999987,Yekaterinburg,Russia,1620000,N 43.9406700100003,56.28967667000006,Nizhniy Novgorod,Russia,2025000,N -4.269947530000034,55.86280822999996,Glasgow,UK,1800000,N 120.23000336000206,23.170000080000083,Tai-nan,Taiwan,656927,N 61.39261246000016,55.14500045999982,Chelyabinsk,Russia,1325000,N 73.25028992000036,55.063304900000205,Omsk,Russia,1175000,N 82.94284821000016,55.03210067999992,Novosibirsk,Russia,1600000,N 56.09612655999974,54.82173537999994,Ufa,Russia,1100000,N 25.275966640000274,54.688568120000184,Vilnius,Lithuania,582000,Y …. So according to the rules of every particular GIS, it is necessary to specify which fields are the fields with coordinates, then press "OK" button and here we get the map. We will tell how to do it with the help of QGIS and OpenWebGIS - Free and Open Source Geographic Information Systems. 

Please read more about it here

[openwebgis-blog]

One of the methods to create and use offline base maps for web based GIS, JavaScript example

In order to create a base map for web based and browser Geographic information system (GIS), which can be used in offline mode (i.e., when there is no Internet connectivity), the following methods may be used:

1. Installing of a full-featured server with a whole set of maps (data) covering the entire globe (or not only a globe). Read about it on OpenStreetMap example here. As a rule this approach requires the installation of a variety of software to your PC or any other electronic devices. They are such as Tile servers, servers for sharing geospatial data such as Geoserver or the programs that are listed here: http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Software - Look into the column "Stores map-data on -board"=yes for offline software. This approach requires the setting of such software on every device that you would like to work in an offline mode. As well you need a large amount of disk space for storing of maps, tiles. Positive aspects of this approach are: that you have full control over all of the data and they are available to you at any convenient time; local storage is often faster than making requests to the Internet; you can have a map, even if you are in a remote area; working where Internet connections are unreliable.

2. Using only a very limited set of data - only the area you are interested in at the moment and using only the functionality of the browser in which you start the web-browser-based GIS. Positive aspects of this approach are: that it is not necessary to install any software in addition to your browser, which generally has already been installed on all modern devices by yourselves or it was there at the time of purchase; using a small volume of your local storage; easy to use. The first method sometimes includes some elements of the second method.

In this article, we will describe one variant of the second method implementation in the web-browser-based GIS on the example of OpenWebGIS (read more about this system at opensource.com). First, we will describe how it is implemented with the help of the interface (what buttons do you have to press or what windows do you have to open), and then the implementation described by a code of JavaScript will be shown.

Please read more about it here.

[openwebgis-blog]

Earthquake in Ecuador on 17 April 2016 - foreshocks, mainshock and aftershocks. Mapping with help of OpenWebGIS.

Initial data on earthquake was selected from the database of "Earthquake Archive Search" with the help of menu item in OpenWebGIS: "GeoDataBase-> Earthquakes Database". For the analysis we choose a rectangle with coordinates: lower left longitude: -89.53593749261435; lower left latitude: -6.373536989337675; upper right longitude: -72.44121093249441; upper right latitude: 5.382686176012323. Magnitude range: from 2 to 10. Date & Time(UTC): from 2016-03-01T00:00:00 to 2016-04-17T10:39:04. The result of selecting, adding on the map and customizing the legend is shown on Figure 1.

Please see more information about it here

[openwebgis-blog]

OpenWebGIS: An open source geographic information system

There are a lot of great geographic information systems (GIS) that run in web browsers and mobile apps, thanks in large part to the introduction of new web standards in 2010-11 and recent improvements in mobile devices.

And yet, most existing GIS systems are half-built systems that require setup by the users, which can be difficult and inconvenient to common for users who don't know how to code. There's also a very limited range of free and open source options for scientific data analysis. We created OpenWebGIS in 2014 to address all of these issues in a single, ready-built solution. Please read more about it here: https://opensource.com/life/16/3/openwebgis

[openwebgis-blog]

Mapping information from Paleobiology and Global Biodiversity databases in OpenWebGIS

This article tells about working with Databases Paleobiology Database (PaleoBioDB)  and The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) using an open source Geographic information system OpenWebGIS.

The data selecting from these DBs and mapping the results using OpenWebGIS was discussed in the following articles: "The information tools (data base and GIS) to help paleontologists in their scientific researches", "New feature of OpenWebGIS - mapping data from GBIF, and new Contributor".  From the article "200 million years of the dinosaurs life (sauropods) in a few seconds on the map" the following conclusion can be made, that in OpenWebGIS it is possible not only to visualize on the map data from these databases but also analyze it without using other software. Currenlly OpenWebGIS team continues to optimize and increase the convenience to users of selecting and mapping this information. Previously only few fields were sampled from the Paleobiology Database, but now all fields are selected. Please read more about it here

[openwebgis-blog]

Maps online with OpenStreetMap and OSMBuildings free programs topography In this article OpenWebGIS is mentioned. It is based on OpenLayers JavaScript library. OpenWebGIS Blog: http://openwebgisystem.blogspot.com Mapas online con OpenStreetMap y Osmbuildings programas libres de topografía . En este artículo OpenWebGIS se menciona. Está basado en OpenLayers librería de Javascript. OpenWebGIS Blog: http://openwebgisystem.blogspot.com http://ovacen.com/topografia-openstreetmap-osmbuildings/

[openwebgis-blog]

Customizing of OpenWebGIS interface to create your own workspace

Working in OpenWebGIS now you can create your own workspace by adding images, videos, texts, websites on the page, changing the color, size and position of the interface blocks. Then you can save your workspace on OpenWebGIS server, in the local storage of your browser or in text file for further use at any time convenient for you. So you will always have at your fingertips in one place the Geographic information system (GIS) and your any additional information from any source in the form of videos, images and websites. This can greatly improve your efficiency.

Please read more about it on our official blog

[openwebgis-blog]

New feature of OpenWebGIS - mapping data from GBIF, and new Contributors

OpenWebGIS team has started developing the new feature. You, our users and contributors inspire us on constant improvement of OpenWebGIS. Thanks to our new contributors info from Canada and ANDREA ANSELMI from Italy. Now you can use selecting and mapping data from The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). GBIF is an international open data infrastructure, funded by governments. «The data accessible through GBIF relate to evidence about more than 1.6 million species, collected over three centuries of natural history exploration and including current observations from citizen scientists, researchers and automated monitoring programmes». More about GBIF read here. You can make your selections and put them automatically on the map using the menu item of OpenWebGIS "GeoDataBase-> Global Biodiversity". Please read more about it on our blog

[openwebgis-blog]

Thanks to our Contributors, join them, support an open source project OpenWebGIS!

The crowdfunding campaign of OpenWebGIS on Indiegogo is continuing and today the new contributor Robertsonhl from Australia has supported this open source project. We would like to express our appreciation and this name will be on our site of OpenWebGIS. Follow us on Facebook, Facebook group for interesting news in the field of GIS and Geospatial industry, on the Twitter, Google+, Tumblr. OpenWebGIS is an open source online/offline geographic information system for work in web browser or mobile app. Since its foundation (2014), a great number of users have benefited from using this system functions. The site and the blog have been visited tens of thousands of times. Over this time the system was worth mentioning in respectable professional information resources. Now OpenWebGIS needs funds for a qualitative leap in its development! This system has been and will always be free and open, but the time has come when your support is needed in the form of financial assistance, in order that the system would continue to exist, evolve and help you in your work and life with new useful features. By means of funding you give thanks for the work on the creation of the existing functions and help in the creation of new ones. Share our plans and be part of the process! Be involved with other users who believe in us and share our vision! Please support the crowdfunding campaign of OpenWebGIS and repost this information among your friends. Read more information about crowdfunding campaign and our plans on Digital-geography.com, Geoawesomeness.com and Indiegogo.

Yours sincerely, OpenWebGIS team.

[openwebgis-blog]

New science Geographic information system - OpenWebGIS on Geoawesomeness

“OpenWebGIS is the open online GIS platform that can be used on your computer as well as mobile device. Compared to other open source GIS solution the OpenWebGIS works entirely online. Don’t get misled by a bit oold-school appearance, the OpenWebGIS is actually a pretty powerful tool, especially as you might use it when being in the field without access to your advanced GIS desktop solution.” Read more information at Geoawesomeness

Blog of OpenWebGIS here

[openwebgis-blog]

Cesium is an open-source JavaScript library for world-class 3D globes and maps Cesium is used in OpenWebGIS (Geographic Information System) to create 3D View of the maps. Read more about it here.

[openwebgis-blog]

Integrating your map service and Wikipedia using JavaScript and PHP

Wikipedia contains a huge amount of information that has a geographic reference. For example, coordinates of cities, tourist attractions, urban infrastructure - railway stations, airports, bridges, etc. And no doubt many developers of online map services (or GIS) and their users would like to have a quick access to this information and if needed to have it automatically added on the map with the attribute information. In this article you will get the information on how to do it yourself with the help of JavaScript and PHP languages. Please, more read about it here

[openwebgis-blog]

3D View enhancements in OpenWebGIS

In OpenWebGIS users can create not only a flat map (2D), but also 3D maps. To do this, OpenWebGIS uses Cesium JavaScript library. The article "3D maps, new version of Cesium JavaScript library and OpenWebGIS" tells about this in detail. On the first of February 2016 the new Cesium Version 1.18 was released:

"Here are the highlights of the new release:

Reduced the amount of CPU memory used by terrain by ~25% in Chrome.

Added a Sandcastle example to “star burst” overlapping billboards and labels.

Added VRButton which is a simple, single-button widget that toggles VR mode. Cardboard for mobile is supported. More VR devices will be supported when the WebVR API is more stable.

For more details and the full list of changes, see the changelog.”

To improve the efficiency of work with maps for users of OpenWebGIS the decision was made to migrate to this new version of Cesium. A lot of work has been done to correct the source code for the new version of Cesium and besides several problems were fixed that the users previously encountered while visualizing 3D maps.

More information about it read here

[openwebgis-blog]

3D maps, new version of Cesium JavaScript library and OpenWebGIS

Cesium is an open source JavaScript library for creating 3D globes and 2D maps in a web browser without a plugin. It uses WebGL for hardware-accelerated graphics, and is cross-platform, cross-browser, and tuned for dynamic-data visualization. Cesium is used in OpenWebGIS primarily to create 3D View of the maps. Until recently OpenWebGIS has used the version 1.3 of Cesium. Read more about it here

[openwebgis-blog]

Web Mapping (Part 1, The Basics)

Ready-built solutions:

ArcGIS online, OpenWebGIS

- See more at: http://www.xyht.com/spatial-itgis/web-mapping/

[openwebgis-blog]

French interface of OpenWebGIS - Test version/L'interface française de OpenWebGIS - La version de test

OpenWebGIS with French interface is available here. More than a month ago, I asked for help in translating OpenWebGIS interface into other languages. It was described for all users how and what to do in this article:"Help to create a free online OpenWebGIS interface in your own language". At the moment, few people have responded to this call for help to make free and open source software available to more people.But since I can not wait and want to experiment as soon as possible with the interface in other languages, I translated the interface from English into French with the help of automatic translation (https://translate.google.com). Once again I draw your attention: the translation has been done automatically, so it certainly is full of errors and inaccuracies, but since this is an experiment, I ask not to judge strictly and help me with this translation.

If you decide to help in the translation of the interface into your language, do not do it as I did :) - please do not translate it automatically using any translation software. It is better to make an "alive" translation that will be easy for people to understand. This translation process was a surprises for me:

1. The French (the text in French) is longer (about 20%) than the English one, and therefore it was necessary to expand some interface blocks.

2. Apostrophes (single quotation marks) are commonly used in the French language, some of them damaged rows of JavaScript source code, if in them single quotation marks were used instead of the double quotes - and it had to be looked for and corrected. Certainly I am not the first person who faces these problems in the interface when translating it into another language and they probably already have a solution. But it is interesting to try everything by yourself. You are welcome to join us and!

PS: The way the text is lengthened or shortened when translated into other languages is briefly described, for example in these articles:

Text size in translation,

Will the translated version be longer or shorter than the original document?

This could be interesting both for software developers, and for all the rest.

L'interface française de OpenWebGIS - La version de test OpenWebGIS avec interface en français est disponible ici. Il ya plus d'un mois, je demandé de l'aide dans la traduction de l'interface de OpenWebGIS dans d'autres langues. Il a été décrit pour tous les utilisateurs comment et quoi faire dans cet article: aider à créer une interface OpenWebGIS en ligne gratuit dans votrepropre langue. Mais puisque je ne peux pas attendre et que vous voulez expérimenter dès que possible avec l'interface dans d'autres langues, je traduisais l'interface de l'anglais en français avec l'aide de la traduction automatique (https://translate.google.com). Une fois encore, je voudrais attirer votre attention: la traduction a été fait automatiquement, donc il est certainement pleine d'erreurs et d'inexactitudes, mais puisque cela est une expérience, je demande de ne pas juger strictement et me aider avec cette traduction.