[Freegis-list] Geovisualization / mapping library

[Mateusz Loskot]

Ari Jolma wrote:
> This project is related to the OSGeo Cartographic Library proposal: 
> http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/OSGeo_Cartographic_Library

Ari,

It's very interesting though the general idea is a bit vague to me.
I've read the Wiki page and I'm still unable to grab the core of this 
idea. So, if you don't mind, I'd like to ask some questions:

1. Is this idea about creating something like libgd (http://libgd.org) 
for GIS - not another geometry rendering engine, but a renderer 
specialized for GIS and cartpgraphy?

2. What are the key differences to MapServer and Mapnik?

3. Why GNOME libraries but not something multiplatofrm in terms of 
desktop environments?

4. How does it relate to FOSS desktop applications like QGIS? Is the 
library going to serve as desktop GIS core in future (like desktop GIS 
for GNOME)?

Greetings
-- 
Mateusz Loskot
http://mateusz.loskot.net