MOSS represents a very early public domain, open source GIS development - predating the better known GRASS by 5 years.
MOSS utilized an integrated vector based data structure in which point, line, and polygon features could all be stored in the same map file.
[1] In 1976, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) issued a request for proposals for developing a Geographic Information System (GIS) for environment impact and habitat mitigation studies.
This was Task 2 of the USFWS contract: "Survey, assess, and compare existing computer software systems and geographic data bases which are relevant to FWS determined needs.
The pilot project was successful and allowed additional enhancements and bug fixes to be accomplished for deploying MOSS for production use.
In late 1979, the FWS purchased a Data General computer (AOS operating system) and required MOSS to be ported from the CDC mainframe to the DG minicomputer.
Once installed, operational, and properly documented at the WELUT facility in Fort Collins Colorado, an extensive technology transfer and training activity began.
[7][8][9] An early major project, completed in 1982, was for coastal habitat analysis, change detection, and impacts of dredge disposal along the Louisiana coast.
The project is described in detail in a paper presented at AutoCarto 5: THE ROLE OF THE USFWS GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM IN COASTAL DECISION MAKING.
[10] In 1984, the United States Geological Survey contracted with Autometric to perform a Feasibility and Design Study for the Enhancement of MOSS.
Research into geoprocessing methodology, evolution of the capabilities of hardware and peripherals and the number of users and diversity of applications have resulted in the need to reassess MOSS.
A draft report was submitted to USGS as a preliminary description of the logical functions for an enhanced public domain geoprocessing system.