Create a Portable OSM Toolkit

[cgiovando]

Proposed by: Cristiano Giovando (@cgiovando)
Summary: The goal of this project is to create a customized version of OSGeo Live to include a specific set of tools for working with OpenStreetMap data. The development can either enhance the current OSGeo Live by adding tools, or else create a separate streamlined version with just OSM tools and a smaller subset of GIS utilities. The final product will be used for training, outreach and easy field work deployment.
Skills Required: Debian packaging, bash, Java, Python
Possible Mentors: Angelos Tzotsos (@kalxas), Cameron Shorter (@camerons)
Notes:

[cgiovando]

We should create a tentative subset of software to include in order to identify required skills.

Here's comprehensive list from the OSM wiki: http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Software/Desktop

[kalxas]

In the above list of software I can see many tools that are included in OSGeoLive already, but definitely not all of them, the list is too long.
We have to identify which are 1. Under a FOSS license, 2. available on Ubuntu platform
Then we need to evaluate disk space needed to install some/all of them.
I am pretty sure that all those projects do not fit into the 4GB iso.

[kalxas]

Also, we need to allocate some effort to update the OSM documentation in OSGeoLive and make sure the workflows are up to date.

[epifanio]

Hi, I'm back working on the live and i can dedicate some time this week to identify projects from that list that are already installed on the live. For those software i'll try the docs and quickstarts on the latest osgeolive. I'll report here soon.

[epifanio]

from a first look on that list i filtered out the apps with a linux version and with a 'free' license https://gist.github.com/46da861ff12970232fea
i'll compare this list with the sw installed on the live and i'll try to generate a new table (with metadata etc ..) like the one on OSM wiki with the missed sw

[yohanboniface]

FYI, this is the list of software I used to install when preparing Ubuntu desktops for field missions: http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Humanitarian_OSM_Team/Preparing_field_mission

Also, even if Lubuntu is lighter, my opinion is that Unity is a better choice for computers dedicated to humans, in the sense of a much more intuitive UI (Dock + Dash and you can do everything). But I'm just sharing my experience, not trying to have a debate :)

[epifanio]

Hi yohanboniface, thanks for the list. I agree on Unity Vs Lubuntu (i also prefer gnome3 to unity).
The choice of lubuntu for the osgeo-live is because it's lightweight compared with unity (booting and running from usb is a little bit quicker) and on the OSGeo-Live we also have a "space issues" because the final live has to include mac/windows installer etc.. and it is limited to the size of a dvd (4.3 gb)
For this project i immagine :

• debian packaging of application not yet in the upstream repositoiry (where applicable, there are some unresolved issues for java apps wich are going to be installed by scripts)

• a set of install scripts 'window manager agnostic' (they will will workl on ubuntu (unity), xubutu (xfce), lubuntu (lxde) with no changes)

• a set of script to customized the window manager (adding specific entries in the application menu, launchers etc based on the categories of each application ) . this scripts can be specific opn the window manager we want to use. I'm familiar with gnome, xubuntu and lubuntu customization. Will not be a big deal to prepare and add scripts to tune unity as well.

• documentation: description and quickstarter for each application

  (IMHO documentation and packaging are very important points)

• A main script that will handle all the possible options. Hopefully we'll try to make large use of debian gis debs, limiting the dependence on ubuntugis so that the set of installer will be compatible with debian as well as ubuntu based distros (but we all know how tough is the debian policy to have debs accepted in mainstream).

I'm familiar with docker container too, which can be considered in addition to all the other options. The build of such container will be most useful for 'server-side' and "db" applications. One of the advantage of docker images is that it is multiplatform and the container can be built and stored online (which make things extremely easy to deploy)

I'm available most of the time on irc.freenode.net #osgeolive (epifanio) to chat more on the topic and make a better plan on how to deveop this idea.

[bgirardot]

For what it is worth: Recently having reasons to run Ubuntu 14.04 and Lubuntu 14.10, the usability difference on low end hardware and in virtual machines is dramatic. Ubuntu proper was basically not usable with several, like 5-10 seconds for menus and windows to appear, lubuntu, totally fine, not even slow really, same hardware, dramatic difference.

[bgirardot]

This project has been moved to the OpenStreetMap Google Summer of Code project list:
http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Google_Summer_of_Code/2015/Project_Ideas#Project_Ideas