Dutch Authorities to Sponsor KML Support for Mapserver
The Dutch Water and Road building Authority is having Keyhole Markup Language (KML) support developed for the Geodata Processor, Mapserver. It will be publishing the source code.
The idea is to serve up 3D geographic data to website users, giving citizens the ability to see where, say, new bridges will be built.
Mapserver is a developer environment for Web applications that generate static or dynamic maps from digital geodetic data. The Open Source software (current version 4.10.2) is platform independent and can be built for most Unix/Linux systems, Windows and Mac OS X. PHP, Python, Per, Ruby, Java and C# are the supported development languages.
According to the Dutch authorities, the contract for the development work has gone to Canada's DM Solutions who are heavily involved in Mapserver development. The authority will be looking to test the code next month. The source code for KML support will be released as Open Source shortly after.
KML is a rendering format for the client component of the Google Earth program, and an XML 1.0 application. It was developed by Keyhole, which was acquired in 2004 by Google. KML is in widespread use for processing of 3D geographic data in Google Maps and Google Earth.
Plans to standardize the KML format started late last year or early this year and are not yet complete. A Best Practice Paper was released in early May by the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC); it was drafted by Carl Reed (Google Earth – current version 2.1). Google also has published a reference and a user tutorial.
Issue 250/2021
Buy this issue as a PDF
News
-
Solus 4.3 Available for Download and Installation
The latest iteration from the Solus developers is out with kernel 5.13 and plenty of new features, bug fixes, and new hardware support.
-
Steam Deck Linux-Powered Gaming System Set to Take Over the Handheld World
A Linux and KDE-powered portable gaming platform is set to be released by Valve.
-
Linux Mint 20.2 Now Available and Better Than Ever
The developers of Linux Mint have gone a long way to perfecting the desktop experience.
-
Linux Foundation Forming the Open 3D Foundation
The Linux Foundation has announced they will be forming the Open 3D Foundation to accelerate developer collaboration on 3D games and simulations.
-
Nitrux 1.5 Ships with Kernel 5.13
Debian-based Nitrux Linux is the first distribution to ship with kernel 5.13
-
Slimbook Goes All in with a Linux Laptop that Focuses on the Display and the Power
Slimbook is now offering a Linux laptop geared for professionals, with the launch of a new lightweight ultrabook with plenty of power to spare.
-
KDE Plasma 5.22 Released with Better Stability and Usability Across the Board
The KDE Plasma desktop development has kicked into high gear and the latest release reflects newfound popularity and drive behind the open-source environment.
-
Nvidia and Valve Collaborate to Bring DLSS to Linux
Both powerhouses in the gaming industry are trying to make the experience on Linux much improved, by way of DLSS.
-
Kali Linux 2021.2 Official Release Now Available
The latest iteration of security fan-favorite Kali Linux has been released with new tools, themes, and plenty of improvements.
-
Entroware Unleashes a Beast of a Linux Laptop
If you're looking for a portable workhorse, look no further than the Entroware Proteus laptop.