'Geocoding' mapping software goes open-source

SRC, a company that specializes in software for organizing and processing location information, on Monday released the source code for its "geocoder" software. The company said it will allow third parties to access its Explorer software under the Lesser General Public License.

With the software, developers and end users can organize location information and display it using a mapping service, said company president and CEO Dean Stoecker. For example, a developer can build an application that allows someone to collect information on store locations and then display the information on Google Maps. By open-sourcing the software, SRC hopes third parties will create versions of Explorer for sites outside the U.S., Stoecker said.