MapServer
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| Developer(s) | Stephen Lime |
|---|---|
| Initial release | 1994 |
| Stable release | 6.0.2 / February 8, 2012 |
| Preview release | 6.0.0-beta6 / April 13, 2011 |
| Written in | C / C++ |
| Platform | Cross-platform |
| Type | GIS software (compare) |
| License | X/MIT |
| Website | www.mapserver.org |
MapServer is an open source development environment for building spatially enabled internet applications. It can run as a CGI program or via MapScript which supports several programming languages (using SWIG). MapServer was developed by the University of Minnesota — so, it is often and more specifically referred as "UMN MapServer", to distinguish it from commercial "map server". MapServer was originally developed with support from NASA, which needed a way to make its satellite imagery available to the public.[1]
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Open Source Geospatial Foundation [edit]
In November 2005, Autodesk, the MapServer Technical Steering Committee Members, the University of Minnesota, and DM Solutions Group announced the creation of the MapServer Foundation.[2] With this announcement, Autodesk announced that its internet mapping application, MapGuide, would be developed as an open source application with all new code and be named "MapServer Enterprise".[2] The existing MapServer application would be renamed "MapServer Cheetah".[2] This name change was overwhelmingly opposed by the MapServer community.[3] Autodesk then backed off this name change and retained the name, "MapGuide" for its product.[3] Also, plans to establish the MapServer Foundation were scrapped; Instead, the Open Source Geospatial Foundation (OSGeo) was established to include MapServer and other open source GIS projects (which now includes MapGuide Open Source).[4]
Timeline [edit]
MapServer has had an important role in Web mapping history. The following is a summary of its evolution:
- 1994: UMN awarded with NASA/ForNet funding to support web-based delivery of forestry data.[5]
- 1997-07: MapServer 1.0, Developed as Part of the NASA ForNet Project. Grew out of the need to deliver remote sensing data across the web for foresters.
- 1998-07: MapServer 2.0 released as final ForNET deliverable; added reprojection support (PROJ.4).
- 1999: UMN makes MapServer an open source project.[5]
- 2000-06: MapServer 3.0 was developed as part of the NASA TerraSIP Project. This is also the first public, open source release of UMN MapServer.[6]
- 2001-06: MapServer 3.2 released with MapScript 1.0, like CSS, adds layout flexibility.
- 2002-06: MapServer 3.5 was rewritten,[7] and added support for PostGIS and ArcSDE. Version 3.6 adds initial OGC WMS support.
- 2003-07: MapServer 4.0, adds 24bit raster output support and support for SWF.
- 2005-04: MapServer 4.6, adds support for SVG.
- 2007-09: MapServer 5.0 released, introducing Anti-Grain Geometry (AGG) graphics library.
- 2011-05: MapServer 6.X released, with 5.6.X as stable versions.
See also [edit]
- FWTools – a cross-platform open source GIS software bundle, including MapServer
- Mapnik - Open source mapping toolkit for desktop and server map rendering
- TopoQuest - Topographic map viewer using the technology
References [edit]
- ^ Ojeda-Zapata, Julio (June 17, 2005). "Minnesota's MapServer flourishes in hot Web-based mapping sector". Pioneer Press (St. Paul, Minnesota).
- ^ a b c Schutzberg, Adena (November 28, 2005). "MapServer Community, Autodesk Announce MapServer Foundation". directionsmag.org.
- ^ a b Grimes, Brad and Joab Jackson (May 1, 2006). "What’s in an open-source name?". Government Computer News.
- ^ Schuyler Erle (February 4, 2006). "Introducing… the Open Source Geospatial Foundation!". mappinghacks.com.
- ^ a b MapServer History
- ^ TerraSIP
- ^ http://www.dei.isep.ipp.pt/~matos/cadeiras/pjac/sig/oss/lime_plenary.ppt
