FOSS GIS Version Checks - March 2015

Keeping software up-to-date is extremely important. Free and open source (FOSS) GIS software are no exception.  Typically, updates bring fixes, better stability, sometimes performance improvements or security patches, and even new features, some of which can be game changers!  Keep an eye on FOSS GIS websites or subscribe to their e-mail listserves to keep up-to-date.

Here's a quick list of a few free and open source GIS programs, related software packages and libraries, and their version numbers.

Desktop GIS
GRASS GIS 7.0.0 LTS
QGIS 2.8.1 Wien LTR
OpenJump 1.8.0

Remote Sensing/Image Processing
Orfeo Toolbox 4.4
Opticks Image Processing 4.12.0

LIDAR
Fusion LIDAR 3.42
FugroViewer 2.0
LAStools (March 2015)

Spatial Analysis
GeoDA 1.6.7
GWR 4.0
SaTScan 9.4.1

Web map development
Leaflet 0.7.3 - an open source JavaScript library for mobile web maps
Open Layers 3.4
GeoServer 2.7.0

QGIS Visual Changelog makes learning about new features a breeze!

Many open source GIS programs have a roadmap, 'wiki', or version log. These exhaustive sources of information can give you the heads-up on when an update will be released and what features the new version may contain.  They also contain lists of bugs, potential fixes, and the progress toward the fix.

Lastly, updates for paid software are also important and sometimes may require you to update your license agreement, depending on when you purchased the software. Additional fees may apply.

Opticks Update in October

Earlier, I wrote a little about Opticks, an open source image analysis program.  It also features python extensions for added capabilities and programmability.  The Opticks team is headed towards another release--in October.  The timeline for releases is always well laid out, as well as what has been changed, updated, or improved.  Unlike many other open source programs, new Opticks versions are released several time per year.  Opticks also has a great file importer especially since there are numerous file types out there.  So, be sure to check out Opticks!

Screenshot of Opticks - Showing the Data Importer (Click image for a larger version)

Open Source Image Analysis Software

One area of open source GIS that needs more software is remote sensing, imagery, and its analysis and interpretation. There is an endless amount of environmetal data from remote sensing, which is free to access, but few free programs to view and analyze them.  I will briefly discuss two software programs here, and I will post additional information on them in the coming weeks.

The first is Opticks which is a great program!  It comes with the ability to add extensions for greater functionality from its community of develpers and users.   Specifically, the extensions help perform basic and complex tasks that expedite using satellite imagery.  It also comes with the ability to run Python scripts and a wizard builder (akin to Model Builder in ArcGIS).  More and continuous updates are planned for Opticks in the near future! 

The next is MultiSpec which is a lightweight program, in terms of size, but also has great functionality.  A new version was just released in late February.

In my coming posts, I will talk more about these exciting open-source software and what they can do!