NASA World Wind: A New Mission
Written by Chad on December 17th, 2008(I will try to get a copy of this presentation, this is the abstract for 12/18 presentation that Patrick Hogan is giving)
Virtual Globes are well into their first generation, providing increasingly rich and beautiful visualization of more types and quantities of information. However, they are still mostly single and proprietary programs, akin to a web browser whose content and functionality are controlled and constrained largely by the browser’s manufacturer. Today Google and Microsoft determine what we can and cannot see and do in these programs. NASA World Wind started out in nearly the same mode, a single program with limited functionality and information content. But as the possibilities of virtual globes became more apparent, we found that while enabling a new class of information visualization, we were also getting in the way. Many users want to provide World Wind functionality and information in their programs, not ours. They want it in their web pages. They want to include their own features. They told us that only with this kind of flexibility, could their objectives and the potential of the technology be truly realized. World Wind therefore changed its mission: from providing a single information browser to enabling a whole class of 3D geographic applications. Instead of creating one program, we create components to be used in any number of programs. World Wind is NASA open source software. With the source code being fully visible, anyone can readily use it and freely extend it to serve any use. Imagery and other information provided by the World Wind servers is also free and unencumbered, including the server technology to deliver geospatial data. World Wind developers can therefore provide exclusive and custom solutions based on user needs.
19
PM
Yes, WorldWind (WW) is FREE (as the Free Software Foundaton likes) but it is not as acessible as GoogleEarth (GE) is.
WW is (IMHO), SO much better than GE, but so far, I as a Linux user (no windows, thanks), GE is an app I use all the time, while WW is just a “toy” under Linux/UNIX systems.
WW is written in MS .NET language.
WW is better than GE.
What we need? We need a GOOD WW for Linux!!!
Seriously, IMHO, you should drop the Java “version” and focus on a native Linux version.
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19
PM
Well, I will tell you the same thing we tell everyone else.
the source is all open, it is all out there. You can complain.. or you can DO something.
WWJava is the version that is being developed, it was the focus of the DOE to use Java.
I have not had any problems with WWJava on Windows, Linux or Macs myself. So to go a “native Linux” would be like going all windows and limiting the market yet again.
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23
AM
WorldWind is *not* free as the Free Software Foundation likes…
See what they say about WW license (NOSA):
“is not a free software license [...] We urge you not to use this [...] write to NASA and call for the use of a truly free software license”
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6
PM
FYI….
December 29, 2008
ITS Team Members,
Workstation – NRCS – NASA World Wind 1.4
The following application has been tested and is certified for use on ITS workstations. The application is available through the IT Resources Website under the Download Software library.
NASA World Wind 1.4 is free software that lets you zoom from satellite altitude into any place on Earth. Leveraging Landsat satellite imagery and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission data, World Wind lets you experience Earth terrain in visually rich 3D and provides the basic spatial visualization tools needed for modeling calibration, simulation review and forecast review and display.
The manual install follows our Standard Install Guide, and additional information for the install appears below.
Standard Install Guide Information
Name and Version of Application: NASA World Wind 1.4
Name of Installation File: NASAWorldWind1.4.exe
Extracted location of Install File: XP\NRCS\NASAWorldWind\Client\V1.4\install.cmd
Uninstall Instructions for Previous Version: Yes, any previous version must be manually uninstalled.
Information for Uninstalling Application: [ Start ] à [ Control Panel ] à [ Add or Remove Programs ] à [ NASA World Wind 1.4 ]
Is the installation a silent install: Yes
Install Conditions:
1) Once the program is installed on the workstation, it can be accessed by clicking on
[ Start ] à [ All Programs ] à [ NASA ] à [ World Wind ] à [ World Wind 1.4 ]
2) There are also a few known issues with this application. The application launches and works properly. But when you close the application, the process “WorldWind.exe” does not stop running. If you were to try to launch the application again, it will not work properly. Users will need to open Task Manager and end the process by clicking on the “Processes” tab, selecting “WorldWind.exe” and clicking on [ End Process ].
3) A message is displayed when a Non-Admin user attempts to uninstall the application:
“An error occurred while trying to remove NASA World Wind 1.4. It may have already been uninstalled. Would you like to remove NASA World Wind 1.4 from the Add or Remove programs list? [Yes] [No]”
When the user clicks on [Yes], nothing happens which is functionally correct. The message is just misleading.
4) Once an uninstall is performed by a State Admin user from “Add or Remove Programs” the shortcut is still listed in the [Start] > [All Programs] menu for State Admin users as well as Non-Admin users.
TSD Action Items:
· The GM is responsible for assigning TSD staff to this task.
· Download and stage the application (server or workstation) as needed. Use the Standard Install Guide and information above for installation steps.
· The agency and TSD should work closely together to ensure the software is installed on individual workstations as needed.
Project Reference:
· RFC #10157 – SCR #4495
Point of Contact:
Questions on this newsflash can be directed to:
Name: Kathy Bashaw
Division: OCIO – ITS – IOD – IDB
Phone: 208-378-5613
E-mail: kathy.bashaw@wdc.usda.gov
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Not sure how wide spread the use is or will be. I’ll keep my eyes and ears open thou.
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