OpticksA open source remote sensing application and

development framework

Kip Streithorst12 August 2009

Opticks – Journey To Open-Source

Overview of Opticks

Why Did We Open-Source?

The Hurdles

Where are we today?

Q & A

Overview of Opticks

Perform Image and Video Analysis─ Spectral, Synthetic Aperture Radar,

Thermal

Similar to the following commercial tools:─ SOCET GXP, IMAGINE, RemoteView,

ENVI

Extendable with plug-ins:─ Add import/export support for new file

formats─ Implement new data processing

algorithms─ Add new windows, mouse modes,

toolbars, keyboard shortcuts

Most of the application is implemented as extensions using our public extension API

Why Did We Open-Source?

Project was started as closed source in Spring 2000 for the Air Force Why Open-Source?

─ Kept running into barriers to entry for others to develop plug-insCOTS (Commercial Off the Shelf) is preferred over GOTS (Government Off the Shelf)Not invented here

What does open-source provide us?─ Increase in services business opportunities─ Access new customers and/or new markets─ Involvement with and support for the DoD’s OTD (Open Technology Development)

Roadmap─ Actively engage colleges and universities in remote sensing processing and

explotation

The Hurdles

Internal Confusion/Conflicts about going open-source─ Contracted with CollabNet for their open-source expertise to help resolve some of

the mis-information What did our Air Force customer think?

─ Worked with our customer from the beginning to get buy-in Do we have the right kind of software to open-source?

─ OTD Roadmap calls out “geospatial framework/infrastructure” What about ITAR?

─ Reviewed internally, determined it was a Defense Article (Category XXI – Miscellaneous Articles), requested Public Release Authorization from the Office of Security Review

What license should we use?─ LGPL v2.1

Allowed plug-ins to be closed-sourceKeeps the application open-source (even if forked)Well known license (one less hurdle when people are looking to adopt)

Where are we today?

Opticks was released under the LGPL v2.1 in December 2007─ http://opticks.org/

All development is now free and open (no entry criteria)─ Both source code and development collaboration

Remaining Issues─ Decided internally to continue vetting all new features/enhancements against ITAR

before starting code development (all code development is still occuring in the open)─ Getting government people to collaborate with us in the open

In the process of standing up software.forge.mil mirror of Opticks to lessen the blow for new government entrants

─ Balancing open-source community needs against paying customer needs

Find Opticks At:http://opticks.org/

Kip Streithorstkstreith@ball.com