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\begin{article}

\title{CASCADOSS International Symposium and International Information Workshop}
\subtitle{Event Report}
\author{by M. Rusztecka, R. Wawer, E. Orlitova, A. Podolcak, and T. Steenberghen}

\maketitle

The CASCADOSS Project's objective was to build up a critical mass of Open Source users within the GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) society (Fig. \ref{fig:objectives}) that could support each other in finding open source solutions for environmental problems.

\begin{figure}[htbp] % 1
\begin{center}
\includegraphics[width=\textwidth]{events/165_Rusztecka_CASCADOSS/Figures/Figure1.png}
\caption{CASCADOSS objectives}
% Figure 1:
\label{fig:objectives}
\end{center}
\end{figure}

To achieve this goal CASCADOSS set up a ``trans-national cascade training programme on Open Source GIS \& Remote Sensing software for environmental applications''.  This cascading training program was divided into three phases, each aiming to refine the knowledge gained throughout the project (Fig. \ref{fig:method}).

\begin{figure}[htbp] % 2
\begin{center}
\includegraphics[width=\textwidth]{events/165_Rusztecka_CASCADOSS/Figures/Figure2.png}
\caption{CASCADOSS Method}
%Figure 2:
\label{fig:method}
\end{center}
\end{figure}

As the first step an extensive study was conducted on issues related to Open Source GIS \& Remote Sensing technology:
\begin{enumerate}
\item A wide range of Open Source GIS \& RS software projects was reviewed and evaluated.  The best open Source GIS \& RS projects were identified and documented,
\item A wide range of environmental applications built on top of Open Source GIS\&RS Software was reviewed and evaluated.  The best Open Source-based environmental applications were identified and documented.
\item The different types of business models / added value services that can be built on top of the Open Source GIS \& RS technology were explored and documented.
\item Complex Open Source licensing policies were screened and translated into a comprehensive guide on Open Source legal issues.
\end{enumerate}
The experience gained from this study was disseminated across Europe through the following information workshops:
\begin{itemize}
\item One-day International Symposium,
\item 3-day International Information Workshop,
\item 2-day national or regional Training Workshop.
\end{itemize}

The third and final stage was realized in the form of numerous national information workshops organized in Belgium, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Hungary. The LiveDVD of the CASCADOSS project remains a living project, hosted by Compet-Terra in Hungary: \url{http://cascadoss.competterra.com/cascadoss.php?livedvd_en}.


\section{CASCADOSS international events}
\label{sec:The CASCADOSS international events}

The International Information Workshop (17 to 19 June 2008) was conducted in the second phase of the CASCADOSS Project, combined with the International Symposium (16 June). The idea of the workshop was to bring together both professional developers and (potential) customers of Open Source technology and stimulate research, innovation and networking in this field. The target groups of the International Information Workshop were: \begin{itemize}
\item members of organizations dealing with geo-information (GI);
\item scientists;
\item small and medium entrepreneurs;
\item representatives of regional self-government authorities;
\item staff of institutions involved in implementation of the GMES Programme, including representatives of national GMES offices;
\item staff of National Mapping Authorities (NMAs);
\item members of the Open-Source community.
\end{itemize}

The main purpose of the International Symposium was to present results accomplished by the CASCADOSS Project --- results of the evaluation of available GIS\&RS OSS solutions, and to demonstrate the most promising and useful applications.


The following subjects were also discussed: \begin{itemize}
\item How can open-source software foster use of GI technologies (particularly with respect to the GMES Programme) in the public sector?
\item How do existing GI standards contribute to the development of open-source applications?
\item What are the current trends in this area?
\item How can GIS\&RS services benefit from open source solutions and stimulate development of business-related GIS\&RS applications?

\end{itemize}

During the Workshop various business models or added value services that can be implemented on OSS were introduced.


\section{Participants}
\label{sec:Participants}

\begin{figure}[htbp] % 3
\begin{center}
\includegraphics[width=\textwidth]{events/165_Rusztecka_CASCADOSS/Figures/Figure3.png}
\caption{CASCADOSS participants}
%Figure 3:
\label{fig:participants}
\end{center}
\end{figure}

There were 91 participants in the symposium and 60 in the workshop. Workshop attendance fluctuated, with roughly 20 fewer present on the third day. 
All of the participants were asked to conduct a short survey on their GIS/RS background, motivation for participation in the workshop, and knowledge and skills in FOSS4G --- a so called ``zero-measurement survey''. 
55 participants took part in the survey, giving answers to 5 questions. Some of the results for motivation (Fig. \ref{fig:reasons}), expertise (Fig. \ref{fig:expertise}) and application field (Fig. \ref{fig:application}) are given below. 

% I think this needs a full page width (\figure*) to work, but haven't 
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\begin{figure*}
\begin{center}
\includegraphics[width=0.80\textwidth]{events/165_Rusztecka_CASCADOSS/Figures/Figure4.png}
% This should be figure 4
\caption{Reasons for participation in the CASCADOSS workshop}
\label{fig:reasons}
\end{center}
\end{figure*}
 
Clearly the most frequent motivation was exploration of the possibilities to use free and open source software tools in operational work.

\begin{figure*}
\begin{center}
\includegraphics[width=0.8\textwidth]{events/165_Rusztecka_CASCADOSS/Figures/Figure5.png}
\caption{GIS expertise level of the  CASCADOSS event participants}
\label{fig:expertise}
\end{center}
\end{figure*}

From 40 participants polled only 17 were over the level of basic experience, while 25 (over 50\%) were absolute beginners with FOSS4G, indicating however prior experience with proprietary software. 
In the question addressing the fields of application of FOSS4G, most responders indicated the environmental sector, dealing with scenarios of vegetation change, ecosystems, climate, water resources etc.


% \begin{figure*}
% \begin{center}
\begin{figure*}
\begin{center}
\includegraphics[width=0.8\textwidth]{events/165_Rusztecka_CASCADOSS/Figures/Figure6.png}
% \end{figure}
\caption{Most common applications of FOSS4G among CASCADOSS event participants}
\label{fig:application}
\end{center}
\end{figure*} 

Quite a big group of people use FOSS4G to analyze land use, land cover changes (25) and for the purpose of web-GIS services.  A number of them use FOSS4G for thematic cartography (20), spatial planning (19), environmental planning (19), environmental management (16), environmental monitoring (15) and geodetic data survey (13). The lowest number of applicants marked risk assessment and early warning assessment (10), agriculture (10), forestry (9), environmental impact assessment reporting (8), geology (6) and transport infrastructure (5).

\section{Event agendas}
\label{sec:Event agendas}

The agenda of the symposium was aimed at two goals: providing general overview on the FOSS4G in context of the GMES programme and presenting in the same context the results of the CASCADOSS project: documentation and evaluation of FOSS4G software projects, analysis of FOSS4G software licenses and business models.
The 3-day long workshop was focused on three main blocks: discussion, use cases and education. The discussion was addressed during the first day, starting with a general presentation of the issues, targeted for later discussion in working groups. The presentations addressed the implementation of GMES programme in member states, usage of GIS/RS in public sector (eGovernment), standardization issues (deliverables of the HUMBOLDT project), characteristic of FOSS communities and business examples related to the adoption of FOSS4G.
The educational block was divided into three main scopes: software evaluation, GIS/RS and environmental applications. All the exercises were hands-on, utilizing CASCADOSS LiveDVD. Altogether eight successful examples of FOSS4G applications were presented during two use case sessions.
More details on the event agendas can be found on the CASCADOSS website: \url{http://www.cascadoss.eu}, in the Events section.


\section{Working Groups Discussion}
\label{sec:Working Groups Discussion}

Day one of the International Information Workshop was dedicated to discussion among the participants on various aspects of the use of FOSS4G solutions. In order to strengthen and facilitate the proceedings and to make them more effective, the participants had been divided into three working groups based on their professional field and area of responsibility (institution in which they work, etc.):
\begin{itemize} 
\item WG1: FOSS4G and GI technology --- for GI community, scientists and GIS practitioners;
\item WG2: FOSS4G solutions in business and commercial activities --- for representatives of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and other companies and commercial entities; 
\item WG3: FOSS4G solutions of GMES implementation and approaches to e-government and public services --- for representatives of public administration, at various levels.
\end{itemize}

\noindent Discussion covered the following issues:

\noindent \textbf{FOSS4G and GI technology}:
\begin{itemize}
\item Proprietary GI solutions versus FOSS4G: what to choose and why (a little SWOT analysis)?
\item FOSS4G as a tool in GI education.
\item Role of FOSS4G solutions in enhancing and developing of own IT/GI professional skills;
\item What are my most common fields of application of FOSS4G solutions (sharing best practices).
\end{itemize}

\noindent \textbf{FOSS4G solutions in business and commercial activities:}
\begin{itemize}
\item Business models in practice: success stories in using FOSS4G solutions in/by the business world;
\item Why SMEs seem reluctant to use FOSS4G but tend to favour commercial GI software?
\item Quality and reliability of FOSS4G solutions serving as tools to provide quality service to customers.
\end{itemize}

\noindent \textbf{FOSS4G solutions for GMES and approaches to e-government and public services:}
\begin{itemize}
\item Use of FOSS4G solutions vis-\`a-vis legal and official procedures followed in public administration offices (for example, vis-\`a-vis the INSPIRE Directive implementation rules, other EU directives and standards for environmental reporting, etc.);
\item Is FOSS4G implementation a challenge for public administration officials? If yes, in what sense and to which extent? How flexible would office staff be to apply new solutions in their routine professional duties?
\item What legal instruments and organizational improvements can be developed to support FOSS4G implementation in the public sector?
\item Which FOSS4G applications are most suitable to be used in GMES? In other words: is there a ``niche'' for FOSS4G in GMES (for example, for processing and analysis of GMES data)?
\item Can FOSS4G applications foster and strengthen development and implementation of GMES in Europe?
\item Can FOSS4G be applied to contribute to GMES mission by enhancing and improving dissemination of --- and public access to --- information and data on the state of environment and upcoming threats (in line with the INSPIRE Directive).
\end{itemize}
\section{Recommendations}
\label{sec:Recommendations}

Results of the working group discussions are presented below in the form of lists of recommendations, agreed on between moderators and participants, regarding (within the topics specified above) proposals for: \begin{itemize}
\item avoiding problems and obstacles in using FOSS4G;
\item promoting use of FOSS4G;
\item applying FOSS4G in the ``routine'', everyday practice of: (1) the GI community, (2) business sector, (3) public administration offices and GMES units/users. 
\end{itemize}

% Following line is supposed to have an accented L for the author named Loskot, which my TeX guide says can
% be obtained using \L --- but when I use that I get an error on my machine - can anyone fix?
% tmitchell: yup - you just need to add {} after the L too - works for me!
% \textbf{Group 1}: \emph{FOSS4G and GI technology Moderators: Markus Neteler, Mateusz \Loskot}
\noindent \textbf{Group 1}: \emph{FOSS4G and GI technology Moderators: Markus Neteler, Mateusz \L{}oskot}
The discussion started with general questions on motivation for using FOSS4G. Among various arguments presented, the following were the strongest: ideology and FOSS4G devotion, lack of other GIS tools in work (especially in Central and Eastern Europe countries), challenge and freedom of use of such GI tools in science and academia. Consequently the SWOT (\textbf{S}trengths, \textbf{W}eaknesses, \textbf{O}pportunities, \textbf{T}hreats) analysis was conducted, the results of which are presented in Tables \ref{table:strweak}--\ref{table:oppthreats}.

\begin{table*}
% \begin{center}
{\footnotesize
\begin{tabular}{|p{0.5\textwidth}|p{0.5\textwidth}|}
\hline
\textbf{STRENGTHS} & \textbf{WEAKNESSES} \\
\hline\hline
- Not black-box: free and available software with possible development of functional scope. Free access to documentation and tutorials. & - Diverse point of view on ``OSGeo'' brand inside the community \\
\hline
- Flexibility of the software (FOSS4G are adjustable solutions) & - FOSS4G solutions are not so  ``integrated'' as a package of proprietary software. It can cause problems for new users and low-end-users. \\
\hline
- Diversity of tools which foster development of the skills of students and researchers & - Lack of translated documentation \\
\hline
- Community (!!!) --- OSGeo Foundation & - Lack of sample data (licensing), and information on available data resources
\\
\hline
- Supportive of self-development (allows for networking, cooperation with other users and exchange of the knowledge and experiences. & - Installation process of FOSS4G\\
- Quick bug-fixing (action-reaction). & \\
\hline
\end{tabular}}
\caption{SWOT analysis for the use of FOSS4G software: Strengths and Weaknesses}
\label{table:strweak}
% \end{center}
\end{table*}

\begin{table*}
% \begin{center}
{\footnotesize
\begin{tabular}{|p{0.5\textwidth}|p{0.5\textwidth}|}
\hline
\textbf{OPPORTUNITIES} & \textbf{THREATS} \\
\hline\hline
- Portability --- FOSS4G is portable and developed for various OS platforms (not only MS Windows) & - Domination of proprietary GI software \\
\hline
- PUBLIC SECTOR NEEDS --- FOSS4G can be a solution for broad implementation in public sector (self-governmental units) & - Closed formats of GIS data \\
\hline
- INSPIRE (implementation rules of data exchange and accessibility) & - FUD effect: Fear, Uncertainty, Doubts\\
\hline
- DO your own business with FOSS4G --- it is free and flexible so allows for creative approach in development of GI products and/or services for end-users & - Lack of education in use of GI even at a  basic level --- need for a broad GI education for public administration\\
\hline
- Make money on well prepared and designed documentation for end-users & \\
\hline
- FOSS4G courses and trainings &  \\
\hline
\end{tabular}}
\caption{SWOT analysis for the use of FOSS4G software: Opportunities and Threats}
\label{table:oppthreats}
% \end{center}
\end{table*}

\noindent \textbf{Group 2}: \emph{FOSS4G solutions in GMES and approaches to e-government and public services Moderators: Jakub Ryzenko, Ondrej Mirovski, Grzegorz Myrda, Lieven Raes, Thorsten Reitz}

Consistent with Group 1, with a public administration point of view: \begin{enumerate}
\item Limited cost is good. Moreover, if you don't pay for software you can spend money on better implementation. Non-paid licenses mean unlimited number of licenses so products can be used widely and easily (e.g. by students). The potential to build communities of potential future users is easier because of non-paid licensing;
\item Strength: institution is not dependent on a particular provider of software (commercial company). So switching between software is easy, the institution is not ``stuck'' with a given software solution;
\item Strength: big potential in flexibility and adaptability. Can be used in specialized issues this particular institution may have; 
\item OSS can expand in a bottom-up approach --- number of users/institutions can become aware of possibilities created by improved software. Proprietary applications acquired in a top-bottom manner that limits their applicability. There is easier exchange of information, wider use, and flexibility of OSS;
\item From an institutional point of view, easy access by employees is better for bug-fixing and improves human relations and increases motivation of employees;
\item Lack of awareness and marketing of products, evident in the decision process (choosing particular software difficult if not widely recognized/marketed). OSS --- even if similar to proprietary solutions --- is weaker since less well marketed;
\item Lack of guaranteed service and customer support. For many decision makers it is not easy to find responsible individuals to make things work; unlike proprietary producers that back their products;
\item Significant effort and IT work required to get things started and the institution has to do the work themselves, rather than count on a provider;
\item With respect to GMES, discussed example of land service. It is clear that the strongest point is making data available to the public, not just institutions --- assuming software policy allows for such dissemination;
\item The above problems can block use of OSS in GMES services, partly because of conservative institutions and FUD.
\end{enumerate}

\noindent \textbf{Group 3}: \emph{FOSS4G solutions in business and commercial activities Moderator: Karel Maesen}
\begin{enumerate}
\item Why used: price, license (no license for clients, no need for piracy of licenses), installation, operational ability to modify or extend the product, transparency.
\item Why not used: missing knowledge (awareness on using and consequences), shortage of expertise, shortages in usability and productivity, lack of simply available and customized training, packaging (download, install, run --- this is not that easy as in many proprietary packages).
\item Standards: vendor lock by file format (cross-compatibility), GML data created by different vendors are not compatible. Shapefile format still works best.
\item Recommendations: EU governments communicate their experiences; funding for training, documentation; reducing liability risks: cheap indemnification insurance; reducing market fragmentation: support EU-wide market by procurement policy, since in Europe market forces seem sufficient.
\end{enumerate}

The discussions and recommendations arising from them were the key achievement of the CASCADOSS International Information Workshop. We consider the workshop to have reached its goals of raising the awareness of the usefulness of FOSS4G among the end users from environmental and wider GI sectors --- the potential addressees of the GMES programme. 

\section{Epilogue}
\label{sec:Epilogue}
The final workshop evaluation questionnaire, distributed during the workshop's last day, revealed that almost 50\% of the 40 responses confirmed their willingness to use FOSS4G in daily work, 25\% indicated partial interest, while one person did not intend to deal with FOSS4G at all. Through the international events in Warsaw and other dissemination activities, CASCADOSS managed to reach a wide audience of GI-users in its target geographical area (BeNeLUx, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary). This was reflected by the huge interest of geospatial users in CASCADOSS regional workshops, following the events in Warsaw, organized in Belgium, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary in late 2008 and early 2009.

\section{Links and references}
\label{sec:Links and references}

CASCADOSS website: \url{www.cascadoss.eu} \\
CASCADOSS LiveDVD\footnote{CASCADOSS LiveDVD: \url{http://cascadoss.competterra.com/cascadoss.php?livedvd_en}} \\
CASCADOSS at OSOR\footnote{CASCADOSS at OSOR: \url{http://bit.ly/cSYmhM}} \\
CASCADOSS Association\footnote{CASCADOSS Association: \url{http://cascadoss.competterra.com/cascadoss.php?home_en}} \\

\address{
 M. Rusztecka
\\UNEP/GRID-Warsaw
\\www.gridw.pl \\
\\ ~
 R.Wawer and T. Steenberghen
\\SADL, KULEUVEN R\&D
\\http://sadl.kuleuven.be \\
\\ ~
 E. Orlitova
\\GISAT
\\www.gisat.cz \\
\\ ~
 A. Podolcak
\\Compet-Terra
\\www.competterra.com
}
\end{article}
