OSGeo - User contributions [en]

MOSS

2025-06-02T01:38:03Z

Gregorywpower: /* Websites */

= Map Overlay and Statistical System (MOSS) =
== Scope ==
This wiki page summarizes all currently available facts, links and references about the first open source GIS application MOSS.

== Significance for OSGeo ==
The annual OSGeo award is named after the late Sol Katz, one of the project members of MOSS. See: [[Sol Katz Award]]

== Heritage Source Code Repository ==

https://github.com/OSGeo/MOSS

== Websites ==

https://www.osgeo.org/projects/moss/

https://mossgis.org

== MOSS-archives mailing list ==
For discussions related to the archiving process of MOSS, subscribe to the mailing list at: https://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/moss-archives

== MOSS-related Resources ==
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Map_Overlay_and_Statistical_System Wikipedia: Map_Overlay_and_Statistical_System]
*[https://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Open_Source_GIS_History OSGeo: Open_Source_GIS_History (points to broken blm-ftp-site: ''MOSS is still available to download (ftp://ftp.blm.gov/pub/gis/)'')]
* [https://sites.google[https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/70013449 EVOLUTION OF THE MOSS GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR 32-BIT COMPUTER SYSTEMS].com/site/reedsgishistory/Home/short-history-of-the-moss-gis short-history-of-the-moss-gis]
* [http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/academic/geology/COGS/MOSS/mossdoc.txt On-line manual from the PC Version of MOSS as developed by Saul Katz]
* Reed, C.R. 1982, Map Overlay and Statistical System User's Manual, Western Energy and Land Use Team, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, Fort Collins, Colorado.
* Reed, C., 1984, Map Overlay and Statistical System (MOSS), System Reference Manual, prepared by Autometric, Inc., Falls Church, VA
* [https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/36794 MOSS user's manual (@USGS)]
* [https://sites.google.com/site/reedsgishistory/ Carl Reed's GIS History Notes]
* [https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/fwsobs77_21 User needs assessment for an operational geographic information system]
* [https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/70004689 A 125 year history of topographic mapping and GIS in the U.S. Geological Survey 1884-2009, part 2: 1980-2009]
* [[https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/15wgyp2VDIpiYpMSG-JbTXR-L3BMyG_BXnxhqMCR_bgI/edit#slide=id.i82|2009 Carl Reed GIS History Fort Collins]]
* [http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/academic/geology/COGS/MOSS/mossdoc.txt PC-MOSS VERSION 1.0 USER AND PROGRAMMER DOCUMENTATION (IBIBLIO)]
* [https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a137104.pdf Implement of the computer-program system MOSS]
* [[File:Draft Guidelines for Use of ADSARC and MOSSARC Commands 1993.pdf|thumbnail|Draft_Guidelines_for_Use_of_ADSARC_and_MOSSARC_Commands_1993]] (Source: BLM Library, 2019. Link broken: 20210125) [[https://web.archive.org/web/20160317083843/https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/fwsobs77_54| preserved content: Internet Archive / Wayback machine]]
* [[File:Conversion of an ARC-INFO Coverage Containing Multipe Attribute Data to a MOSS.pdf|thumbnail|Conversion of an ARC-INFO Coverage Containing Multipe Attribute Data to a MOSS]](Source: BLM Library, 2019)
* [https://oc.diw.de/index.php/s/OmFQCYg4yaZ1jfS | Appendix C MOSS Line Styles and Font Styles ]]

== Points of contact ==
* BLM: Deborah Harnke: Librarian (Reference)
* MOSS: Carl Reed
* MOSS repository 2020 (potentionally transient): Māris Nartiss
* MOSS GitHub repository (2021 - ...): Peter Löwe & [[Jeff McKenna]]
* sdts2dem GitHub repository: [[Jeff McKenna]]

== MOSS Code Evolution (1978 - 1985) ==
(according to Carl Reed, personal communication, September 2020)

# Carl programmed the original version of MOSS on a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CDC_Cyber CDC mainframe] (interactive to a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tektronix_4010 Tek 4010]). This version was completed in 1978/79.
# In 1979 he ported the CDC code to a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_General|Data General] [https://commons.swinburne.edu.au/items/d13505aa-1127-4989-9a48-e5d1e7c800eb/1/ C330] ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_General_AOS AOS]). This is the version that was then installed at some of the BLM State Offices. This is also the version that was integrated with WAMS.
# In 1980, the code was ported to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_General#Desktop_Generation DG Desktop] (AOS) for a BLM field application for monitoring and mapping lightning strikes. This may be the very first use of a GIS integrated with a real time sensor system!
# In 1983 or so MOSS was ported MOSS/MAPS/COS/WAMS to an [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HP_9000#Series_500 HP 550] (UNIX) for the US Army ([https://books.google.de/books/about/U_S_Army_Engineer_Topographic_Laboratori.html?id=8UwsAAAAYAAJ&redir_esc=y ETL] now [https://www.agc.army.mil/ AGC]). This was for the Terrain Analysis Work Station ([ https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a167473.pdf TAWS]) project. TAWS was a field deployable, mobile GIS and remote sensing capability.
# In 1984 Carl converted MOSS to a DEC [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VAX VAX] (VMS) for the [https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a187978.pdf DMA Digital Land Mass Simulation] activity.
# In 1985 the [https://sites.google.com/site/reedsgishistory/Home/deltamap-genamap-tiled-topological-data-structure MOSS Arc/Node and DBMS Design project] was done. This work was funded by the USGS EROS Data Center

== MOSS Codebase Search & Rescue Effort (2019 - 2021) ==
# 20190327: BLM ceased during 2018 (exact date unknown) to host the MOSS sources on its FTP site. The BLM library did not archive a digital copy.
# 20190328 [http://osgeo-org.1560.x6.nabble.com/Sol-Katz-MOSS-sources-gt-new-kind-of-quot-heritage-project-quot-td5400032.html#a5400124 Proposal to the OSGeo board to recognize MOSS as a OSGeo heritage project], to ensure future access to the codebase (if recoverable).
# 20190329: The wayback-machine of the Internet Archive did take snapshots of the FTP site, but apparently not the subdirectories: https://web.archive.org/web/*/ftp://ftp.blm.gov/pub/gis/
# 20190610: The BLM library was able to provide several scanned documents regarding MOSS (to be uploaded to this wiki). PL asked them to investigate wether a digital copy could still exist offline at BLM.
# 20190613: BLM reports that a digital copy of the codebase has not been retained.
# 20200904: Māris Nartiss discovers [https://store.lu.lv/?s=download&token=9a097760-ae01-4523-8b2a-bdae9758d2d7 a remaining copy] of the MOSS codebase.
# 20200917: Temporary (non-permanent) MOSS code archive at DIW Berlin
# 20210423: Sol Katz' utility sdts2dem source code uploaded to https://github.com/jmckenna/sdts2dem
# 20210424: MOSS code archive uploaded to [https://github.com/ploewe/MOSS transient GitHub repo] (to be replaced by an OSGeo repo as soon as possible)
# 20210426: The MOSS code archive is long term preserved in the [https://zenodo.org/record/4719685 open access repository Zenodo]. It can now be cited by a [https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4719685 persistent identifier (DOI)]: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4719685
# 20210427: Presentation [https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU21/EGU21-5492.html ''Raiders of the lost code''] at the European Geoscience Union General Assembly 2021 about the result of the Search and Rescue effort ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8XwbpQUAA8 video]).
# 20210427: MOSS Archive Release 1.0.0
# 20210612: MOSS Archive Release 1.0.1
# 20210618: Folder structure update. Fixes Floppy-disk-size related folder size limitations
# 20210622: [https://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/moss-archives MOSS-archive mailing list launched.]
# 20210622: MOSS Archive Release 1.0.2
# 20210622: domain purchased: https://mossgis.org
# 20210709: new official repository home, hosted by the OSGeo foundation: https://github.com/OSGeo/MOSS
# 20210709: MOSS Archive Release 1.2.0
# 20210709: initial website draft: https://mossgis.org
# 202501xx: [https://zenodo.org/communities/mossgis/records Zenodo group for all MOSS-releated deposits (codebase, publications, data)]

== MOSS Incubation Process ==
# 20200928: [https://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Board_Meeting_2020-09-28#MOSS_Codebase Board decision] to make MOSS the first OSGeo Heritage Project.
# 20210707: [https://github.com/OSGeo/MOSS OSGeo MOSS repo at github created, based on the transient repo]
# 20210729: [https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5140319 OSGeo MOSS becomes an Open Access publication in the Zenodo repository, providing due credit for the authors.]
# 20210817: [https://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/MOSS_incubation_overview Incubation status overview table]
# 20210818: [https://www.osgeo.org/projects/moss/ OSGeo heritage project website]

MOSS

2025-06-02T01:37:29Z

Gregorywpower: /* Websites */

= Map Overlay and Statistical System (MOSS) =
== Scope ==
This wiki page summarizes all currently available facts, links and references about the first open source GIS application MOSS.

== Significance for OSGeo ==
The annual OSGeo award is named after the late Sol Katz, one of the project members of MOSS. See: [[Sol Katz Award]]

== Heritage Source Code Repository ==

https://github.com/OSGeo/MOSS

== Websites ==

https://www.osgeo.org/projects/moss/

https://mossgis.org

[https://ia802902.us.archive.org/0/items/mossusersmanual00unse/mossusersmanual00unse.pdf Link to Documentation]

== MOSS-archives mailing list ==
For discussions related to the archiving process of MOSS, subscribe to the mailing list at: https://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/moss-archives

== MOSS-related Resources ==
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Map_Overlay_and_Statistical_System Wikipedia: Map_Overlay_and_Statistical_System]
*[https://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Open_Source_GIS_History OSGeo: Open_Source_GIS_History (points to broken blm-ftp-site: ''MOSS is still available to download (ftp://ftp.blm.gov/pub/gis/)'')]
* [https://sites.google[https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/70013449 EVOLUTION OF THE MOSS GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR 32-BIT COMPUTER SYSTEMS].com/site/reedsgishistory/Home/short-history-of-the-moss-gis short-history-of-the-moss-gis]
* [http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/academic/geology/COGS/MOSS/mossdoc.txt On-line manual from the PC Version of MOSS as developed by Saul Katz]
* Reed, C.R. 1982, Map Overlay and Statistical System User's Manual, Western Energy and Land Use Team, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, Fort Collins, Colorado.
* Reed, C., 1984, Map Overlay and Statistical System (MOSS), System Reference Manual, prepared by Autometric, Inc., Falls Church, VA
* [https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/36794 MOSS user's manual (@USGS)]
* [https://sites.google.com/site/reedsgishistory/ Carl Reed's GIS History Notes]
* [https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/fwsobs77_21 User needs assessment for an operational geographic information system]
* [https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/70004689 A 125 year history of topographic mapping and GIS in the U.S. Geological Survey 1884-2009, part 2: 1980-2009]
* [[https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/15wgyp2VDIpiYpMSG-JbTXR-L3BMyG_BXnxhqMCR_bgI/edit#slide=id.i82|2009 Carl Reed GIS History Fort Collins]]
* [http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/academic/geology/COGS/MOSS/mossdoc.txt PC-MOSS VERSION 1.0 USER AND PROGRAMMER DOCUMENTATION (IBIBLIO)]
* [https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a137104.pdf Implement of the computer-program system MOSS]
* [[File:Draft Guidelines for Use of ADSARC and MOSSARC Commands 1993.pdf|thumbnail|Draft_Guidelines_for_Use_of_ADSARC_and_MOSSARC_Commands_1993]] (Source: BLM Library, 2019. Link broken: 20210125) [[https://web.archive.org/web/20160317083843/https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/fwsobs77_54| preserved content: Internet Archive / Wayback machine]]
* [[File:Conversion of an ARC-INFO Coverage Containing Multipe Attribute Data to a MOSS.pdf|thumbnail|Conversion of an ARC-INFO Coverage Containing Multipe Attribute Data to a MOSS]](Source: BLM Library, 2019)
* [https://oc.diw.de/index.php/s/OmFQCYg4yaZ1jfS | Appendix C MOSS Line Styles and Font Styles ]]

== Points of contact ==
* BLM: Deborah Harnke: Librarian (Reference)
* MOSS: Carl Reed
* MOSS repository 2020 (potentionally transient): Māris Nartiss
* MOSS GitHub repository (2021 - ...): Peter Löwe & [[Jeff McKenna]]
* sdts2dem GitHub repository: [[Jeff McKenna]]

== MOSS Code Evolution (1978 - 1985) ==
(according to Carl Reed, personal communication, September 2020)

# Carl programmed the original version of MOSS on a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CDC_Cyber CDC mainframe] (interactive to a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tektronix_4010 Tek 4010]). This version was completed in 1978/79.
# In 1979 he ported the CDC code to a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_General|Data General] [https://commons.swinburne.edu.au/items/d13505aa-1127-4989-9a48-e5d1e7c800eb/1/ C330] ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_General_AOS AOS]). This is the version that was then installed at some of the BLM State Offices. This is also the version that was integrated with WAMS.
# In 1980, the code was ported to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_General#Desktop_Generation DG Desktop] (AOS) for a BLM field application for monitoring and mapping lightning strikes. This may be the very first use of a GIS integrated with a real time sensor system!
# In 1983 or so MOSS was ported MOSS/MAPS/COS/WAMS to an [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HP_9000#Series_500 HP 550] (UNIX) for the US Army ([https://books.google.de/books/about/U_S_Army_Engineer_Topographic_Laboratori.html?id=8UwsAAAAYAAJ&redir_esc=y ETL] now [https://www.agc.army.mil/ AGC]). This was for the Terrain Analysis Work Station ([ https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a167473.pdf TAWS]) project. TAWS was a field deployable, mobile GIS and remote sensing capability.
# In 1984 Carl converted MOSS to a DEC [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VAX VAX] (VMS) for the [https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a187978.pdf DMA Digital Land Mass Simulation] activity.
# In 1985 the [https://sites.google.com/site/reedsgishistory/Home/deltamap-genamap-tiled-topological-data-structure MOSS Arc/Node and DBMS Design project] was done. This work was funded by the USGS EROS Data Center

== MOSS Codebase Search & Rescue Effort (2019 - 2021) ==
# 20190327: BLM ceased during 2018 (exact date unknown) to host the MOSS sources on its FTP site. The BLM library did not archive a digital copy.
# 20190328 [http://osgeo-org.1560.x6.nabble.com/Sol-Katz-MOSS-sources-gt-new-kind-of-quot-heritage-project-quot-td5400032.html#a5400124 Proposal to the OSGeo board to recognize MOSS as a OSGeo heritage project], to ensure future access to the codebase (if recoverable).
# 20190329: The wayback-machine of the Internet Archive did take snapshots of the FTP site, but apparently not the subdirectories: https://web.archive.org/web/*/ftp://ftp.blm.gov/pub/gis/
# 20190610: The BLM library was able to provide several scanned documents regarding MOSS (to be uploaded to this wiki). PL asked them to investigate wether a digital copy could still exist offline at BLM.
# 20190613: BLM reports that a digital copy of the codebase has not been retained.
# 20200904: Māris Nartiss discovers [https://store.lu.lv/?s=download&token=9a097760-ae01-4523-8b2a-bdae9758d2d7 a remaining copy] of the MOSS codebase.
# 20200917: Temporary (non-permanent) MOSS code archive at DIW Berlin
# 20210423: Sol Katz' utility sdts2dem source code uploaded to https://github.com/jmckenna/sdts2dem
# 20210424: MOSS code archive uploaded to [https://github.com/ploewe/MOSS transient GitHub repo] (to be replaced by an OSGeo repo as soon as possible)
# 20210426: The MOSS code archive is long term preserved in the [https://zenodo.org/record/4719685 open access repository Zenodo]. It can now be cited by a [https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4719685 persistent identifier (DOI)]: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4719685
# 20210427: Presentation [https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU21/EGU21-5492.html ''Raiders of the lost code''] at the European Geoscience Union General Assembly 2021 about the result of the Search and Rescue effort ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8XwbpQUAA8 video]).
# 20210427: MOSS Archive Release 1.0.0
# 20210612: MOSS Archive Release 1.0.1
# 20210618: Folder structure update. Fixes Floppy-disk-size related folder size limitations
# 20210622: [https://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/moss-archives MOSS-archive mailing list launched.]
# 20210622: MOSS Archive Release 1.0.2
# 20210622: domain purchased: https://mossgis.org
# 20210709: new official repository home, hosted by the OSGeo foundation: https://github.com/OSGeo/MOSS
# 20210709: MOSS Archive Release 1.2.0
# 20210709: initial website draft: https://mossgis.org
# 202501xx: [https://zenodo.org/communities/mossgis/records Zenodo group for all MOSS-releated deposits (codebase, publications, data)]

== MOSS Incubation Process ==
# 20200928: [https://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Board_Meeting_2020-09-28#MOSS_Codebase Board decision] to make MOSS the first OSGeo Heritage Project.
# 20210707: [https://github.com/OSGeo/MOSS OSGeo MOSS repo at github created, based on the transient repo]
# 20210729: [https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5140319 OSGeo MOSS becomes an Open Access publication in the Zenodo repository, providing due credit for the authors.]
# 20210817: [https://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/MOSS_incubation_overview Incubation status overview table]
# 20210818: [https://www.osgeo.org/projects/moss/ OSGeo heritage project website]