Quantum GIS v1.8 Released

This post is out-of-date. Please read: http://opensourcegisblog.blogspot.com/2014/07/qgis-24-chugiak-released.html

Quantum GIS, commonly referred to as QGIS, has a new updated release: version 1.8 Lisboa.  Recent releases have been named after a different city.  QGIS is a bit more user friendly than GRASS.  Plus, it also has GRASS functionality along with other tools that GIS users frequently use, such as Python.

So, I put the newest version through a few quick tests.  The map below is of Wifi locations in New York City.  Via an Open Layers plugin, QGIS allows you to add layers for Google Earth, for example.  The WiFi locations were taken from Open Data NYC and symbolized with a custom marker by finding a .svg file of a wifi signal and placing it in the appropriate folder.  Next, I wanted to test the progress on a old buggy feature--kernel density. 

Unfortunately, based on attempts today and searching Issues in the forum, it appears any updates to the v.kernel did not make it into this release.  Why I am sad?  Well, kernel density is a basic part of exploratory spatial data analysis.  However, fortunately, many already existing spatial tools continue to work great and many general improvements have been made and are listed here.

Lastly, I checked out the attribute data for one wifi spot--turns out the coordinates are correct but the street is wrong (Centre not Center street)!  A 60 Center Street is northeast of 60 Centre Street.  So again, always be careful with open source data.  Clicking on the map below, will open a larger version.

Open Government

Transparency is an important part of governance.  More data than ever before is being put online including geospatial information.  Many local governments now publish data online through Socrata.  Examples of local governments using their interface include New York City, with nearly 1,000 datasets, and Chicago. Many smaller local governments are using it as well. Geographic data in shapefiles and spreadsheets with attribute data and latitude and longitude coordinates can be found amongst the files.  Apps can also tap into Socrata through an open source API called SODA.

However, what data is published openly should be carefully weighed against privacy, safety, and security concerns.  In many cases, the publishing of such data will be clearcut as the data may already be published elsewhere.  However, grey areas will always exist.  Data published or intended for one audience may also be of use to others with more nefarious plans.  Having large amounts of data organized in one place naturally eliminates barriers to access but also makes to use for people that intend to do harm--potentially making their job easier.

Satellite imagery, especially if refreshed frequently, can be especially sensitive.  Terrorist groups have long been known to use open sources of geographic information and applications such as Google Earth to facilitiate attacks. 

Some solutions are obvious but given the diverse security threat, the risks of open publishing may not always be readily apparent.