There is a need to create virtual worlds, for a number of different reasons, but for military synthetic training between distributed systems and platforms – it becomes essential. These virtual worlds consist of layers of geospatial data, building a rich immersive environment for the trainees. When consistency between simulators lacks, and correlation error creeps in, the result is HOVER TANKS!

Terrain correlation for distributed simulation is a known, and often occurring problem for participants in a distributed training event. Numerous approaches to ‘standardise’ the standard have been considered, including using open standards. Even with open standards, there still can be an issue of interoperability between different simulators.

For my MSc in Geographical Information Systems, I used FOSS4G tools to investigate the problem – understanding why simulators that employ open standards are not necessarily fully interoperable. The result of the analysis led me to understand the importance of co-ordinate systems, pixel resolution, tiling specifications and common data source – and more importantly the incredible power and utility of FOSS4G, and how organisations are missing a trick on superb software.

Yes, this may be Thesis presentation... but I've graduated now and I promise to make it fun. Plus... I had you at hover tanks right?

I emphasised the use of FOSS4G in my thesis research as a way for me to better understand their capabilities, their usage and to better advocate for their use in organisations where possible. I wanted to be able to argue for the use of FOSS4G when people just default to the common enterprise solution, and others argue them being expensive or cost prohibitive to do something for small scale problems / investigation. The software is out there, the knowledge to use it is available or trainable; and if the problem isn't solved in the open source space, it either isn't worth solving or you haven't started coding yet!