Slashgeo

Spatially Adjusted tells us about the release of PostGIS 1.1.1. From the announcement: "The 1.1.1 release is a minor release consisting primarily of bug fixes and code cleanups. Bugs in LRS functions, database migration, and GeometryCollection handling have been resolved. Code has been cleansed of most compiler warnings."

The Hobu blog has an interesting entry about MySQL spatial support for GDAL/OGR. From the blog: "Under the direction of Frank Warmerdam, I have been bringing the OGR driver up to par with the rest of the vector data drivers in OGR. [...] MySQL is known for being fast, widely deployed, and frequently used. Unlike PostGIS, however, it does not support spatial predicates and operators (for testing whether one geometry exists in another, for example) [...]"

Oracle is preparing new features for its Oracle 11 release this coming fall (MapViewer: AJAX Interface, OGC OpenLS, and 3D Coordinates – vertical datums & accurate height measurements among other things). Check this All Points Blog article or go directly to Oracle's website here

The Earth is Square tells us GeoServer 1.4.0 has been released. From the blog: "The major changes for this release are: * Spring framework * Updated embedded Jetty * More KML styling * German translation * Name extensions for WMS .shp and .pds results * On-the-fly log level changing * KML reprojection " More on GeoServer: " GeoServer supports WFS-T and WMS open protocols from the OGC to produce JPEG, PNG, SVG, KML/KMZ, GML, PDF, Shapefiles and more. More information on specific features of GeoServer can be found here, and some samples of GeoServer in action are in the gallery." The GeoServer blog obviously covers the news.

The Programming Consultant Newsletter blog informs us France has elected PostGIS for their geospatial data infrastructure. From the blog: "After a thorough review of their options, IGN opted to go with PostGIS/PostgreSQL, noting that its performance was comparable to proprietary solutions (i.e. similar to Oracle) and the cost savings were significant. They also noted how much easier testing out PostGIS was versus the other systems, as PostGIS and PostgreSQL are free to download and use."

All Points Blog discuss Oracle and spatial data along with the recent deal between NAVTEQ and Oracle. From the press release: "Oracle today announced a multiyear, worldwide agreement with NAVTEQ, a leading global provider of digital maps for vehicle navigation and location-based solutions, to incorporate its boundary mapping data into Oracle Database 10g and other Oracle products. Including the NAVTEQ data will enable customers to more easily location-enable their critical business applications to reduce costs and increase productivity and revenue opportunities." Slashdot also discusses the recent Oracle inclination towards open source.

The Lin.ear th.inking blog is enthusiastic about the book "Foundations of Multidimensional and Metric Data Structures" by Hanan Samet on spatial indexing: "He's published a series of highly useful books on spatial indexing methods, which are certainly the most comprehensive and detailed in this field. [...] It could also be called Everything you wanted to know about Spatial Indexes (but were afraid to code). Recommended reading for spatial geeks, especially if you're looking for some reading to tide you over during your next year off."

Christian Spanring offers news on improved MySQL GIS functions. From the blog: "According to the GIS Functions wiki entry following MySQL GIS functions have been added to the MySQL 5.1.23 beta GIS release: BUFFER, DIFFERENCE, DISTANCE, INTERSECTION, SYM_DIFFERENCE, UNION. I haven’t had the chance to test it yet, but I remember being very excited when I first read about the MySQL spatial extension a couple of years ago, followed by disappointment because of the MBR limits. Finally I decided to go with PostgreSQL/PostGIS back then. " See previous stories below, including a survey of geospatial features of Oracle, MySQL and PostGIS.

The Lin.ear th.inking blog ran an entry last month on spherical indexing schemes for PostGIS. Thought not exhaustive, the entry is still interesting and reminds us how spatial indexes are important to efficiently analyze huge spatial databases. From the entry: "Handling geodetic data in a correct and efficient way presents quite a few challenges. A major one is: how can geodetic geometry be spatially indexed? Conventional spatial indexes (such as 2D R-trees) all rely on geometry being embedded in a planar space. They don't handle data which can "wrap around", as can occur in a spherical space." See below for other (rare) stories related to spatial indexes.

hallkbrdz writes "Simon Greener's latest weblog post discuses the ways that users without the Oracle Enterprise Edition and Spatial option can still perform most common spatial functions using alternate methods or FOSS database packages: "This reflection has come about because of the many times I have gone to sites running Oracle Standard Edition (SE or SE1) that are, accidentally, using some of the “geoprocessing” functions in the SDO_GEOM package that are licensed only for use with Enterprise Edition (EE). Oracle XE adds to this confusion as it is shipped with the complete SDO_GEOM package. And, finally, the recent release of Oracle 11g continues the restricted use of certain SDO_GEOM package “geoprocessing” functions and their use in the related ST_* functions of the SQL3/MM (or OGC) type library."" APB also informs us of Oracle being targeted by SAP with their acquisition of Business Objects.

Safe Software writes "Safe Software, makers of the FME spatial ETL (Extract, Transform, and Load) platform has announced its plans to support Oracle Spatial 11g. Initial support will be for the advanced GeoRaster capabilities of Oracle Spatial 11g, followed by support for Oracle’s new 3D spatial type. By taking advantage of these new capabilities, Safe Software continues to extend the power of its industry-leading FME platform to address the advanced spatial ETL needs of the GIS and BIM communities. For more details, visit www.safe.com." Meanwhile, Vector One informs us Oracle is integrating Google Maps in its product suite, All Points Blog also discuss the implications.

ragnvald writes "Tried getting PHP Mapscript to work with your favourite Linux distro? Gone through hell trying to set up PostgreSQL, MySQL, Python, WMS and some modest test webpages? HostGIS provides a very nice out-of-the-box-too-good-to-be-true slackerware-based distro which will make you the instant king of serverbased GIS using Linux. These guys make a living out of providing serverbased GIS services. The rest of us are free to download their distro and install it for work or play: http://www.hostgis.com/linux/ I should mention that I am in no way affiliated with the good guys at at HostGIS. I am just an extremely happy user."