A new version of OSGeoLive is available for download

Unless our readers abound with those interested in manipulation and analysis of geographic data, the appearance of a new version of OSGeoLive is not going to cause great expectations. Deep down, it's a shame. Is about one of the few distributions whose existence is justified. Also, it is one of the examples of all the good things about open source.

What is and what this new version of OSGeoLive brings

OSGeoLive is a Linux distribution (it is based on Lubuntu) that runs directly from a bootable DVD or USB drive. It can also be downloaded in the form of a virtual machine disk file pre-built (vmdk) to run in a VMware Workstation or VirtualBox environment. Of course it is possible install it in the traditional way as a dual boot system or as a single operation system.

Its content is composed entirely of free software, allowing its free distribution, duplication and transmission.

This new version of OSGeoLive provides preconfigured applications for use by those interested in geospatial analysis, including data storage, publication, visualization, analysis and manipulation. In addition, it contains sample data sets and documentation.

But, the usefulness of this distribution is not limited only to those interested in the analysis and manipulation of geographic data. Also frequent travelers, professionals or for fun, should take a look. OSGeoLive allows us to access a number of world maps available under open licenses.

Another point in favor of the distribution is that only includes the necessary software. We have already commented the case of specialized distributions that are limited to installing a couple of programs to the default configuration of the mother distribution. If you need office programs or any other tool that is not necessary for the proper functioning of the system, you will have to install it from repositories.

Geographic information system

The function of this Linux distribution promoted by the Open Source Geospatial Foundation, aims to provide open source tools for organizing, storing, manipulating, analyzing and modeling large amounts of data coming from the real world that are tied to a geographic location.

In this case, the foundation selected about 50 high-quality open source geospatial applications preinstalled and preconfigured with sample data sets. World maps and a variety of project briefs with step-by-step quick start guides are also available for free for each geospatial application.

The system requirements are quite flexible, thanks to the lightweight desktop and the absence of bloatware.

• 1 GB of RAM minimum. 2 GB to use Java-based applications).
• 386 GHz i64 or AMD1 compatible CPU.
  
• Optional hard disk if we want to save our work.
• Optional Internet connection to use web applications.

Some tools included

It should be clarified that the distribution includes both desktop applications and shortcuts to web applications. Although the program starts in English, when it starts it gives us the instructions to change the parameters to our language.

• Mapnik: Tool for rendering quality maps. It is used among other services by Open Stret Maps.
• MapSlicer is a graphical application for publishing maps online. It can be used to create standard map overlays such as those from OpenStreetMap, Google Maps, Yahoo Maps, or Bing Maps. The maps we create can be viewed in 3D using Google Earth. To publish the generated maps, we only need to publish the generated directory on a web server.
• GPSPrune: This is a tool for viewing, editing and converting coordinate data from GPS systems. Photos and audio files can be correlated to coordinates using the file's timestamps. Also overlay the data on Open Stret Maps.
• GRASS GIS: GRASS is the acronym for (Geographic Resources Analysis Support System), it is a free and open source software suite for the management and analysis of geospatial data, image processing, production of graphics and maps, modeling and spatial visualization.

I can't think of what I might need this distribution for. But I got excited and am going to install it to an empty spot on the hard drive and start playing with the pre-installed datasets. If the same thing happens to you, or if you are professionals in geospatial analysis, you can download it from here.