GeoConnexion Column

This is the home page for "Open Sources", the OSGeo column in GeoConnexion magazine. Contact mpg if you're interested in helping out.

Editorial Calender

 * May 2007 - (1) introductory column (Michael P. Gerlek)
 * completed and published PDF


 * June 2007 -- (2) ossimPlanet (Mark Lucas)
 * completed and published PDF


 * July/August 2007 -- (3) BigTIFF (Frank Warmerdam)
 * completed and published PDF


 * September 2007 -- (4) TOPP/GeoServer (Chris Holmes)
 * completed (not yet published)


 * October 2007 -- (5) "The Gift Economy Ain't Free: Getting Help with Open Source Software" (Hobu)
 * final copy due 25 August 2007
 * in preparation


 * November 2007 -- (6) OpenLayers + TileCache (Schuyler Erle)
 * final copy due roughly 25 September 2007
 * not yet started


 * December 2007 -- (7) Mapbender ( Arnulf Christl)
 * final copy due roughly 25 October 2007
 * not yet started


 * January 2008 -- (8) MapServer (Steve Lime)
 * final copy due roughly 25 November 2007
 * not yet started


 * February 2008 -- (9) GRASS (Malte Halbey-Martin)
 * final copy due roughly 25 December 2007
 * in preparation


 * March 2008 -- (10) GeoNetwork (Jeroen Ticheler)
 * final copy due roughly 25 January 2008
 * not yet started


 * April 2008 -- (11) Public GeoData (Jo Walsh)
 * final copy due roughly 25 February 2008
 * not yet started


 * May 2008 -- (12) MapBuilder (Cameron Shorter)
 * final copy due roughly 25 March 2008
 * not yet started


 * June 2008 -- (13) Commercial Models around Open Source (Dave McIlhagga)
 * final copy due roughly 25 April 2008
 * not yet started


 * Other Future Topics
 * [topic?] -- Gary Watry
 * [topic?] -- Daniel Ames: "MapWindow: Open Source GIS for the .NET Framework" or "MapWindow GIS and the BASINS Watershed Modeling System"


 * ChrisH: "I could also do something like show how GeoTools fosters uDig and GeoServer and how play in to one another, advances in one get picked up by the others, in a virtuous circle."


 * added to end of queue (from earlier pub. dates)
 * MapGuide (Bob Bray)
 * Education -- PuneetK

Editorial Notes (from Jeff Thurston)
(1) A column in our magazine is 1 page in length. An example is here. Total number of words is about 800. It can be less but not more. If you wish to add an image, then shoot for around 600 words. Try to include the writer's pic at 300 dpi and their affiliation and email - this lets readers identify with the person writing and provides a point of contact.

(2) Images are a big issue for hardcopy print, especially computer images because they are only 72 dpi usually. Print quality is 300 dpi. That means 300 pixels per square inch for the print process. Most screen captures are reduced to 1/5th their original size when printed - usually causing us to throw them out because they represent the content poorly. Stretching a 72 dpi image to resize it means one still ends up with a 72 dpi image, only bigger. Please aim for 300 dpi if submitting images.

(3) Content - My policy is to support expression. Someone writes it, I'll support it. I only edit for spelling, grammar and what I consider to be outright libelous. The writer should stand behind their expression. As I mentioned earlier, I am not a programmer. I need your help to peer review programming content (which is why the 'contact point' ) will work well. Ultimately everything in the column will reflect on OSGeo. It's your column, you choose the content. Our Media Pack describes Themes for issues by edition throughout the year. I use these as a guideline.

(4) Reprint - I am a supporter of the creator maintaining all rights. Whomever submits material owns it as far as I am concerned. All I ask is that we have first right to print (we compete on the basis originality). Once printed, you may do whatever you wish with the material, you own it. We usually archive it online and columns are available for distribution online. Since hardcopy prints are a fixed cost, they can be purchased if anyone wants a few hundred. I don't know the cost, a marketing person can help if needed. Our Media Pack is here.

(5) Timeline - I am usually working 90-100 days ahead of time. Be aware that there is delay in hardcopy and get material in early. On the flip side, we publish our articles to online almost immediately after hardcopy production.