While the complexity and sophistication of online mapping applications continues to grow, there are still many end-users that simply need a little integration with other open source tools.

This group in the South Pacific Islands are an interesting example of MapServer being integrated with the Tikiwiki Content Management System.

Various collaborations between government and other stakeholders allows them to share information using a common platform - with that platform implemented locally on many islands. With a common platform comes shared knowledge and support.

Tikiwki in and of itself has a good set of collaboration tools, but with the MapServer integration that has happened in the Pacific Islands it is even more powerful. It is an excellent example of how Free and Open Source Software and geospatial/mapping applications can work together for public benefit. I've been following its progress for a few years and was greatly impressed to see how well it has expanded to meet the particular needs of the Islanders.

You can read more about this project in this article from the OSGeo Journal (volume 1) and on their own web page that links to their mapping and CMS sites.

Kudos to Franck Martin and the many others working on these projects!

Tyler Mitchell
15-Jan-2008