OSGeoLive: A Complete Platform for Open Source GIS

In the world of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), tools are numerous and sometimes complex to install and configure. It is precisely to address this problem that OSGeoLive was created, a ready-to-use distribution that brings together the best open source GIS software in a single environment.

Imagine a geomatics student who wants to explore open source GIS tools. They must:

• Install QGIS for cartography
• Configure PostGIS for spatial databases
• Deploy GeoServer to publish web maps
• Add GRASS GIS for advanced raster analysis
• And much more...

Each software has its own prerequisites, dependencies, and sometimes conflicts with other tools. The time spent on installation often exceeds actual learning time.

For professionals and beginners alike, several obstacles arise:

| Obstacle                    | Impact
| --------------------------- | ------------------------------------------
| Installation complexity     | Discouragement for beginners
| Dependency conflicts        | Time lost troubleshooting
| Proprietary license costs   | Inaccessibility for small organizations
| Heterogeneous environments  | Difficulties during training sessions

The open source geospatial community needed a unified solution: a complete, ready-to-use environment accessible to everyone.

What is OSGeoLive?

OSGeoLive is a Linux distribution based on Ubuntu, developed under the auspices of the Open Source Geospatial Foundation (OSGeo). It brings together more than 50 open source geospatial software covering the entire GIS chain:

• Desktop GIS: QGIS, GRASS GIS
• Spatial databases: PostGIS
• Map servers: GeoServer, MapServer
• Web tools and libraries: OpenLayers, Leaflet
• Raster, vector, and 3D data processing

The Open Source Geospatial Foundation has set several objectives with OSGeoLive:

1. Democratize access to professional GIS tools
2. Facilitate geomatics education
3. Promote open source as a viable alternative to proprietary solutions
4. Standardize environments for training and conferences

It is a reference in GIS education. Students can test different software without having to install them one by one, which greatly facilitates learning.

OSGeoLive allows you to discover the richness and maturity of open source solutions. It demonstrates that it is possible to build professional GIS infrastructures without proprietary software.

Everything is already configured: software, sample data, documentation. Within minutes, you can start working.

OSGeoLive is often used for demonstrations, workshops, or conferences because it ensures everything works the same way on each machine.

Installation Guide via Virtual Machine

OSGeoLive can be used in several ways. We will detail the installation via virtual machine, the most popular method as it allows working on Windows or macOS while keeping your main system intact.

System Requirements

Before starting, verify that your machine meets the minimum requirements:

| Resource    | Minimum required             | Recommended
| ----------- | ---------------------------- | --------------------
| Disk space  | 60 GB free                   | 100 GB free
| RAM         | 8 GB                         | 16 GB
| Processor   | 64-bit with virtualization   | Recent multi-core

Important note: With the VM running and a Zoom session open, 8 GB of RAM will barely be sufficient.

Step 1: Install VirtualBox

VirtualBox is free virtualization software that allows you to run OSGeoLive in a window.

1. Go to virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads
2. Download the version for your system (Windows, macOS, Linux)
3. Run the installer and follow the instructions
4. Restart your computer if requested

Step 2: Download OSGeoLive

1. Go to download.osgeo.org/livedvd/releases/16.0/
2. Download the file osgeolive-16.0-amd64.vmdk.7z
3. Extract the archive:
   • Windows/Linux: Use 7-Zip
   • macOS: Use The Unarchiver

The extracted file osgeolive-16.0-amd64.vmdk is about 15 GB.

Step 3: Create the Virtual Machine

1. Open VirtualBox
2. Click New
3. Configure the machine:
   • Name: OSGeoLive
   • Type: Linux
   • Version: Ubuntu (64-bit)
4. Allocate RAM (minimum 4096 MB, ideally 8192 MB)
5. Select Use an existing virtual hard disk file
6. Click the folder icon and navigate to the downloaded .vmdk file
7. Click Create

Step 4: Configure VM Settings

Before starting, optimize the settings:

1. Select the OSGeoLive VM and click Settings
2. System > Processor: Allocate at least 2 CPUs
3. Display > Screen: Increase video memory to 128 MB
4. General > Advanced: Enable bidirectional clipboard
5. Click OK

Step 5: First Boot

1. Select the VM and click Start
2. Wait for the system to fully load
3. The default password is: user

Step 6: Update the System

Open a terminal and run:

# Sudo password: user
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo apt install linux-generic linux-headers-generic linux-image-generic
sudo apt autoremove -y

Restart the VM after updates.

Step 7: Install Guest Additions

Guest Additions improve integration between the host and VM (screen resolution, shared folders, copy-paste).

Graphical method:

1. In VirtualBox menu: Devices > Insert Guest Additions CD image
2. Open a terminal and run:

cd /media/user/VBox_GAs_*
sudo ./VBoxLinuxAdditions.run

Command line method:

sudo apt-get install virtualbox-guest-additions-iso
sudo mkdir -p /media/user/VBox_GAs
sudo mount -o loop /usr/share/virtualbox/VBoxGuestAdditions.iso /media/user/VBox_GAs
cd /media/user/VBox_GAs
sudo bash ./VBoxLinuxAdditions.run

Restart the VM after installation.

Verification:

lsmod | grep vboxguest
# Expected result: vboxguest 57344 6 vboxsf

Step 8: Configure Keyboard

1. Search for "keyboard" in the menu bar
2. Select Keyboard Layout
3. Add your national layout (e.g., US, French)
4. Move it to the first position

Step 9: Adjust Screen Resolution

Use the menu View > Auto-resize Guest Display or install arandr:

sudo apt install arandr
arandr

To keep the resolution after reboot, save the configuration and add it to your ~/.bashrc.

Step 10: Configure Shared Folders

Shared folders allow you to exchange files between your host system and the VM.

1. In VirtualBox: Settings > Shared Folders
2. Add a folder from your host system
3. Check Auto-mount

Test the shared folder:

ls /media/sf_GEO_shared

In case of permission issues:

sudo usermod -a -G vboxsf user
sudo chown -R user:users /media/sf_GEO_shared

Restart the VM.

Step 11: Install Additional Software

For Spatial Ecology courses, a script automates the installation:

cd /tmp/
wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/selvaje/SE_data/refs/heads/master/exercise/install_additional_sw_data_4SE_courses.sh
sudo bash ./install_additional_sw_data_4SE_courses.sh

Jupyter Lab Configuration (optional)

pip3 install -U jupyterlab
echo "PATH=$PATH:/home/user/.local/bin" >> /home/user/.bashrc
source /home/user/.bashrc

An Operational Environment in a Few Hours

After following this guide, you have a complete GIS environment with:

• More than 50 geospatial software installed and configured
• Sample datasets ready to use
• Integrated documentation for each tool
• A stable and reproducible system

Summary Table of Available Software

| Category        | Main Software
| --------------- | ------------------------------------------
| Desktop GIS     | QGIS, GRASS GIS, gvSIG, OpenJUMP
| Database        | PostGIS, SpatiaLite, pgRouting
| Web servers     | GeoServer, MapServer, QGIS Server
| Web libraries   | OpenLayers, Leaflet, Cesium
| Raster processing | GDAL, Orfeo ToolBox, pktools
| 3D Analysis     | Paraview, OSSIM

OSGeoLive is much more than a simple Linux distribution: it is a true open source GIS laboratory. Accessible, complete, and educational, it is an ideal starting point for discovering, learning, and experimenting with modern geospatial tools.

Whether you are a beginner or an expert, OSGeoLive clearly deserves a place in your GIS toolbox. By following this guide, you now have all the keys to start your journey into the world of open source GIS.