OpenOceanMap (OOM) is an ambitious project to break the ties of traditional geo-spatial data collection and embark on the development of a truly cross platform, Open Source, and transportable decision support tool. We have completed phase 1 of this project and look forward to reflecting on what has worked and what needs improvement as we plan for the next stages in the development of this project.
The development of OOM is being done using many cutting edge and high quality Open Source frameworks. First, PyQt? is being used to allow the application to be written in Python but utilize the highly scalable and very popular QT system. Next the Python bindings to the QGIS desktop GIS system have been utilized to provide a mapping component to the application. The Python language is the glue that brings the project together to provide an application that can be built and distributed on any desktop platform, including Windows, Mac and Linux. An Open Source installer framework called INNO is utilized to create a fully functional Windows based installer for the application.
The development that has taken place until now has taught us some lessons. First, there is great demand for this type of technology. The QGIS community has taken notice of this project as a reference implementation of a stand alone application utilizing the QGIS core written in Python. Next we have found that making this application truly transportable has been more of a challenge than first thought. While the intention was (and still is) to create a sub component of this application that will allow for truly dynamic and easy creation of new interview wizards and questions, currently those types of modifications require the modification of the underlying user interface design files. Since QT provides a very nice GUI layout tool called QT Designer, this shortfall in the current implementation is seen as less of an issue. With continued work it is still envisioned that an "interview builder" sub application will be built.
We have had great success applying this application in the field with interviews being completed and utilized in actual decision processes. We have developed a companion QA/QC tool that provides a web based front end to consolidating and analyzing interview information collected in the field. This tool is also used to allow interviewees to log in and verify the information they provided and supply comments to the analysts reviewing the data.
A great effort has also been made to spread the word about this work to hopefully positively influence other projects and communities. The following is a list of a some of the many presentations that have been given that have focused on OOM, its development, and application to real world problems.
07/23/07 - Coastal Zone 07 (Portland) - http://www.csc.noaa.gov/cz/2007/ Session - Tools for implementing Ecosystem-Based Management Source Geospatial Tools: Enabling Decision Makers
07/26/07 - OSCON (Portland) - http://conferences.oreillynet.com/os2007/ All About the Maps - Open Source Geospatial Tools
09/26/07 - FOSS4G (Victoria BC) - http://www.foss4g2007.org/ OpenOceanMap - Deploying cross-platform geospatial desktop applications for decision support utilizing Python, QGIS and QT
03/07/08 - Hot Apps (Eugene, OR) - http://waurisa.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=599
