The GeoExt project [1] is a JavaScript library combining the OpenLayers mapping library [2] and the JavaScript framework ExtJS [3]. The talk will give a brief history of the project, and a summary of its dependencies and versions. Several new features recently developed for the latest GeoExt release will be presented.

The talk will include an overview of two more Open Source JavaScript libraries which bring additional power and functionality to GeoExt: BasiGX [4] and GeoStyler [5]. BasiGX is a higher-level JavaScript library that builds on top of GeoExt and focusses on advanced GIS user interfaces and mapping tools for the web. GeoStyler is a JavaScript library for cartographic styling of geodata, and can be combined with a GeoExt solution to apply several formats to layers, e.g. SLD (Styled Layer Descriptor) files.

The talk will include examples of real-world projects using GeoExt, along with recommendations on what types of projects are most suitable to develop them using GeoExt and its associated technologies.

Finally a roadmap for the future of GeoExt will be outlined along with how developers and users can get involved.