GeoNode is an open source platform that facilitates the creation, sharing, and collaborative use of geospatial data. The project aims to surpass existing spatial data infrastructure solutions by integrating robust social and cartographic tools.
The World Bank and OpenGeo are leading a growing community of partners in defining and developing GeoNode. Initially, the GeoNode efforts have focused on serving and visualizing the data created by the Central America Probabilistic Risk Assessment (CAPRA) initiative to assess and mitigate natural disaster risk.
At its core, the GeoNode has a stack based on GeoServer, Django, and GeoExt that provides a platform for sophisticated web browser spatial visualization and analysis. Atop this stack, the project has built a map composer and viewer, tools for analysis, and reporting tools. The GeoNode will also sport facilities for styling data as well as collaborative features like ratings, comments, and tagging for data, maps, and styles.
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Many of us at OpenGeo have been eagerly working on GeoNode over the past few months. As the number of organizations interested in the project increases, the time has come to bring more partners into the mix to further develop this growing project.
Of particular interest are organizations with skills in cartography, web design, and graphic design—especially those with experience in Django, Pinax, GeoServer, and OpenLayers. Additionally, many prospective GeoNode users are interested in paper-based data collection workflows and greater OpenStreetMap integration.
If you or your organization is interested in partnering with OpenGeo on opportunities related to GeoNode development and design, or are curious about committing to the GeoNode as an open source project then please don’t hesitate to email seb [at] opengeo [dot] org for more information.
One of the features we hope to add to GeoNode in the next month or two is an integrated Styler application. It will enable users to use GeoNode as a cartographic tool.
The aim of including this kind of GIS feature in GeoNode is to provide users a practical incentive to upload and maintain their data. Engaged users are the key to successful data management on the internet, and it should be no different for spatial data infrastructure.
Also key to the GeoNode’s plan for success is that it is built on a robust base of open source tools. That’s why as part of our development of the integrated Styler application, OpenGeo is contributing styling user interface components to GeoExt. By dedicating our effort to the underlying open source communities, we can share the results of our work with as many people as possible. And later, as the GeoExt community elaborates and improves upon those components, it will be easier for us to build those benefits back into GeoNode for the benefit of users.
Openness creates a win-win situation for everyone involved. That’s what GeoNode is all about.
January 12, 2010 – 7:10 am
We are pleased to launch GeoNode.org, the rallying point for the GeoNode initiative. Here, a global partnership of governments and organizations forms to bring openness—participation, collaboration, and transparency—to geospatial data and infrastructure.
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