Upcoming Press Release for Mapbuilder GML Viewer and Mapbuilder Release 1.5rc1

Committees Marketing
1

I'm planning to put out 2 press releases, hopefully before Christmas:

1. I've created a GML Viewer release based on Mapbuilder, and sponsored by the OGC.
http://docs.codehaus.org/display/MAP/GML+Viewer+1.0

I'd be interested to know if people consider this to be something that should be distributed through OSGeo channels.

2. Mapbuilder is about to put out a new release. I haven't put a release together yet, but it will be based on the CHANGES file which states:

mapbuilder-lib-1.5-rc1

This Mapbuilder release adds a string of new features and developments to
the Mapbuilder core. While the core Mapbuilder functionality remains stable,
the new features should still be considered alpha; some new interfaces still
might change, the features have not been extensively tested and there are
still outstanding bugs.

Some of the new features include:

Compression:
The released version of Mapbuilder is now bundled up into one file and
compressed into about 1/10 of its original size.

OWS Context:
Mapbuilder previously stored its LayerList in a Web Map Context (WMC) document.
A WMC describes a list of WMS layers. The latest Mapbuilder supports the
OGC's draft OWS Context specification which extends the WMC to include:
WFS layers, GeoRSS layers, GML Layers.

The OWS Context is rendered by the new MapPane2 and MapPaneOL widgets.
In the next release, we plan to deprecate MapPane2 and MapPane and replace them
by MapPaneOL.

Vector rendering using SVG/VML:
We now have SVG and VML rendering using MapPane and MapPaneOL. This rendering
is much faster than the previous WZGraphics library, however older browsers
will still need to revert the the WZGraphics library.

OpenLayers used for Rendering:
The MapPaneOL widget now uses OpenLayers for rendering. This means we can
easilly tap into OpenLayer's support for numerous map providers.
Eg: Tiled WMS, Google Maps, Yahoo Maps, MSN Maps, WFS, GML, etc.
We still haven't integrated the Mapbuilder tools with OpenLayer tools yet, but
that is expected to be completed for the next release.

SLD Editor:
We now have a Styled Layer Descriptor (SLD) Editor example. A SLD describes
whether you map features should be rendered as red fat lines or blue thin
lines and you can apply styles to maps.

GeoRSS:
We have some GeoRSS examples which include rendering vector layers SVG/VML.

--
Cameron Shorter
http://cameron.shorter.net

2

Hi Cameron,
I think both items are certainly newsworthy. We haven't been doing regular press releases for these specific software update releases, perhaps we should be. What do others think? It would probably equate to a couple press releases per month.

When you are ready Cameron, send your prepared press release to news_item@osgeo.org as per https://www.osgeo.org/content/news/submit_news.html

Take care,
Tyler

On 19-Dec-06, at 2:59 AM, Cameron Shorter wrote:

I'm planning to put out 2 press releases, hopefully before Christmas:

1. I've created a GML Viewer release based on Mapbuilder, and sponsored by the OGC.
http://docs.codehaus.org/display/MAP/GML+Viewer+1.0

I'd be interested to know if people consider this to be something that should be distributed through OSGeo channels.

2. Mapbuilder is about to put out a new release. I haven't put a release together yet, but it will be based on the CHANGES file which states:

mapbuilder-lib-1.5-rc1

This Mapbuilder release adds a string of new features and developments to
the Mapbuilder core. While the core Mapbuilder functionality remains stable,
the new features should still be considered alpha; some new interfaces still
might change, the features have not been extensively tested and there are
still outstanding bugs.

Some of the new features include:

Compression:
The released version of Mapbuilder is now bundled up into one file and
compressed into about 1/10 of its original size.

OWS Context:
Mapbuilder previously stored its LayerList in a Web Map Context (WMC) document.
A WMC describes a list of WMS layers. The latest Mapbuilder supports the
OGC's draft OWS Context specification which extends the WMC to include:
WFS layers, GeoRSS layers, GML Layers.

The OWS Context is rendered by the new MapPane2 and MapPaneOL widgets.
In the next release, we plan to deprecate MapPane2 and MapPane and replace them
by MapPaneOL.

Vector rendering using SVG/VML:
We now have SVG and VML rendering using MapPane and MapPaneOL. This rendering
is much faster than the previous WZGraphics library, however older browsers
will still need to revert the the WZGraphics library.

OpenLayers used for Rendering:
The MapPaneOL widget now uses OpenLayers for rendering. This means we can
easilly tap into OpenLayer's support for numerous map providers.
Eg: Tiled WMS, Google Maps, Yahoo Maps, MSN Maps, WFS, GML, etc.
We still haven't integrated the Mapbuilder tools with OpenLayer tools yet, but
that is expected to be completed for the next release.

SLD Editor:
We now have a Styled Layer Descriptor (SLD) Editor example. A SLD describes
whether you map features should be rendered as red fat lines or blue thin
lines and you can apply styles to maps.

GeoRSS:
We have some GeoRSS examples which include rendering vector layers SVG/VML.

--
Cameron Shorter
http://cameron.shorter.net

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3

Tyler Mitchell wrote:

Hi Cameron,
I think both items are certainly newsworthy. We haven't been doing regular press releases for these specific software update releases, perhaps we should be. What do others think? It would probably equate to a couple press releases per month.

When you are ready Cameron, send your prepared press release to news_item@osgeo.org as per https://www.osgeo.org/content/news/submit_news.html

Tyler,

It is my opinion that we should consider press releases for major releases
of our software projects, but we don't want to be a press release factory
that gets ignored.

Best regards,
--
---------------------------------------+--------------------------------------
I set the clouds in motion - turn up | Frank Warmerdam, warmerdam@pobox.com
light and sound - activate the windows | http://pobox.com/~warmerdam
and watch the world go round - Rush | President OSGeo, http://osgeo.org

4

On 20-Dec-06, at 10:31 AM, Frank Warmerdam wrote:

Tyler Mitchell wrote:

Hi Cameron,
I think both items are certainly newsworthy. We haven't been doing regular press releases for these specific software update releases, perhaps we should be. What do others think? It would probably equate to a couple press releases per month.
When you are ready Cameron, send your prepared press release to news_item@osgeo.org as per https://www.osgeo.org/content/news/submit_news.html

Tyler,

It is my opinion that we should consider press releases for major releases
of our software projects, but we don't want to be a press release factory
that gets ignored.

I think so too. Are you currently flashing the news_item release out to the announce list? That could help fill the need for getting more frequent communications out to those who want them, versus doing the full press release process which takes a fair bit of time to do properly.

5

Tyler Mitchell wrote:

On 20-Dec-06, at 10:31 AM, Frank Warmerdam wrote:

Tyler Mitchell wrote:

Hi Cameron,
I think both items are certainly newsworthy. We haven't been doing regular press releases for these specific software update releases, perhaps we should be. What do others think? It would probably equate to a couple press releases per month.
When you are ready Cameron, send your prepared press release to news_item@osgeo.org as per https://www.osgeo.org/content/news/submit_news.html

Tyler,

It is my opinion that we should consider press releases for major releases
of our software projects, but we don't want to be a press release factory
that gets ignored.

I think so too. Are you currently flashing the news_item release out to the announce list? That could help fill the need for getting more frequent communications out to those who want them, versus doing the full press release process which takes a fair bit of time to do properly.

Tyler,

In theory all announcements are supposed to go in the news_archive.html
listing, the announce email list and the collabnet announcement do-hickey
on the front page. In practice "minor" announcements like point releases of
software have only gone into the announcement do-hickey, while more major
announcements go to all three places.

Jo and I have been making a value judgement on what we think qualifies for
minor or major news items.

Actual press releases are handled separately by VisCom.

Best regards,
--
---------------------------------------+--------------------------------------
I set the clouds in motion - turn up | Frank Warmerdam, warmerdam@pobox.com
light and sound - activate the windows | http://pobox.com/~warmerdam
and watch the world go round - Rush | President OSGeo, http://osgeo.org

6

Thankyou Tyler,
I've just subscribed to the visibilitycommittee list.

I looks like we will be ready to send an annoucement about mapbuilder-lib-1.5rc1 within 24 hours.

The announcement about the GML Viewer looks like it will take longer. I need to get approval from Thales Australia (who sponsored this specific client) which I'm told will take two weeks or more.

I'm CCing Debbie Jackson, from Thales Australia Public Relations who will be responsible for the press release.

Tyler Mitchell wrote:

Forwarding in case you are on these lists....

Begin forwarded message:

From: Tyler Mitchell <tylermitchell@shaw.ca>
Date: December 20, 2006 9:54:43 AM PST (CA)
To: dev@visibilitycommittee.osgeo.org
Cc: board@board.osgeo.org
Subject: Re: [VisCom] Upcoming Press Release for Mapbuilder GML Viewer and Mapbuilder Release 1.5rc1

Hi Cameron,
I think both items are certainly newsworthy. We haven't been doing regular press releases for these specific software update releases, perhaps we should be. What do others think? It would probably equate to a couple press releases per month.

When you are ready Cameron, send your prepared press release to news_item@osgeo.org as per https://www.osgeo.org/content/news/ submit_news.html

Take care,
Tyler

On 19-Dec-06, at 2:59 AM, Cameron Shorter wrote:

I'm planning to put out 2 press releases, hopefully before Christmas:

1. I've created a GML Viewer release based on Mapbuilder, and sponsored by the OGC.
http://docs.codehaus.org/display/MAP/GML+Viewer+1.0

I'd be interested to know if people consider this to be something that should be distributed through OSGeo channels.

2. Mapbuilder is about to put out a new release. I haven't put a release together yet, but it will be based on the CHANGES file which states:

mapbuilder-lib-1.5-rc1

This Mapbuilder release adds a string of new features and developments to
the Mapbuilder core. While the core Mapbuilder functionality remains stable,
the new features should still be considered alpha; some new interfaces still
might change, the features have not been extensively tested and there are
still outstanding bugs.

Some of the new features include:

Compression:
The released version of Mapbuilder is now bundled up into one file and
compressed into about 1/10 of its original size.

OWS Context:
Mapbuilder previously stored its LayerList in a Web Map Context (WMC) document.
A WMC describes a list of WMS layers. The latest Mapbuilder supports the
OGC's draft OWS Context specification which extends the WMC to include:
WFS layers, GeoRSS layers, GML Layers.

The OWS Context is rendered by the new MapPane2 and MapPaneOL widgets.
In the next release, we plan to deprecate MapPane2 and MapPane and replace them
by MapPaneOL.

Vector rendering using SVG/VML:
We now have SVG and VML rendering using MapPane and MapPaneOL. This rendering
is much faster than the previous WZGraphics library, however older browsers
will still need to revert the the WZGraphics library.

OpenLayers used for Rendering:
The MapPaneOL widget now uses OpenLayers for rendering. This means we can
easilly tap into OpenLayer's support for numerous map providers.
Eg: Tiled WMS, Google Maps, Yahoo Maps, MSN Maps, WFS, GML, etc.
We still haven't integrated the Mapbuilder tools with OpenLayer tools yet, but
that is expected to be completed for the next release.

SLD Editor:
We now have a Styled Layer Descriptor (SLD) Editor example. A SLD describes
whether you map features should be rendered as red fat lines or blue thin
lines and you can apply styles to maps.

GeoRSS:
We have some GeoRSS examples which include rendering vector layers SVG/VML.

--
Cameron Shorter
http://cameron.shorter.net

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To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@visibilitycommittee.osgeo.org
For additional commands, e-mail: dev- help@visibilitycommittee.osgeo.org

--
Cameron Shorter
http://cameron.shorter.net