Can all desktop GIS, for the Flemish maritime agency be replaced by FOSS-GIS? We already use geoserver-openlayers for webmaps and i use gdal's commanline tools and python interface all the time to translate data between formats.
If where up to me what tools i could use for my work, i would only use FOSS gis. But employers and their IT-contracter decide this for me and they don’t trust FOSS in general.
And my coworkers should agree too and they don’t like to change their methodology.
The only possible FOSS replacement for Sonar-processing mb-system, not exacly user friendly (cli-based, have to compile yourself). I don't think our IT-people or hydrographers could even imagine supporting/using something like this. Replacing QINSY seems out of the question.
Analytical open source gis like SAGA or ilwis are already more functional then Spatial analyst. Stupid thing like filling holes in grid's i had to program in python myself. I'm unsure on their performance on very large hydrographical datasets however.
Also a good looking UI does not seem to be a primary concern of the makers of these applications. First impressions do count (a lot even) if you try to convince people to switch to FOSS-software.
For the print Map composition of Quantum GIS is getting there fast and gvsig’s mapcomposer is already quite impressive. With some touching up SVG-maps using inkscape, krita, Xara or Scribus, a lot can be achieved too. Scribus or Xara can even modify existing pdf. No real need for ArcView for doing that anymore, i believe.
ENC production, no real FOSS tools for that, although most FOSS-software can read it thanks to OGR. ArcGIS requires ARC/INFO workstation for this, so FOSS can still help with the conversion back to regular vectors.
A hybrid environment is the best I can achieve, where i use foss tools to do less routine stuff that otherwise would require buying additional software, like compressing and warping large imagery, converting database xy-tables and ENC's to shapefiles, making webmaps, …
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