The Promise and the Reality of Free and Open-Source Desktop GIS Software

The promise and the reality of free and open-source desktop GIS software

• GIS/GPS training program since 1998 • Workshops NH &New England • Federal, State, Towns, Private, Non-profit, K-12, Higher Ed • Needs assessment identified Esri software as most widely used – training program focus • ArcView 3.x – ArcGIS 10.x A frequent question --> end of conversation

So… how much does this cost? The promise of free / open source GIS software price = free licensing concerns open code and data responsive to needs What criteriaGIS wereon Pennies used to select a Day: these Test software Drive packages?

• The software is truly no cost (not a demo version) • The software can be installed by typical computer users (no library building or command line needed) • The software is functional in a GIS capacity (display common GIS data, query, view attribute tables, ect.) • The software is not a one- trick pony (i.e., specific to image viewing ,GPS import or proprietary data layers) • The software does not require internet connectivity to function Current Operating Open Software Free version System Source View 2007 Free --- Edit

View 2.3.2 Free --- Java Edition for Education View 7.5 Free Open Model View 2005 Free --- Edit View 1.9 Free Open Edit View 4.8.6 Free Open Edit View Quantum GIS 1.8.0 Free Open Edit

View 4.2.0 Free ---

View 1.3.2 Free Open Edit Software Web Data Mult. Proj. Imagery Elevation

WMS YES SID, JP2 ---

ArcIMS, ArcSDE ------Java Edition for Education

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--- REPROJECT SID, JP2 DEM

WMS, WFS, WCS YES SID, JP2 DEM, LiDAR ArcIMS, PostGIS WMS YES SID, JP2 DEM, LiDAR WFS, ArcIMS WMS Quantum GIS YES SID, JP2 DEM, LiDAR WFS, PostGIS

WMS, ECWP --- SID, JP2 ---

WMS, WFS, YES ------PostGIS, ArcSDE

AccuGlobe

Status: proprietary OS support: Windows Produced by: Digital Data Technologies, Inc. Rationale: accompany developer kits, custom tools Impressions: a few proprietary plug-ins and extensions least divergent from ArcGIS 9.x gvSIG

Status: open source OS support: Windows, Mac, Linux Produced by: Conselleria d’ Infraestructures i Transport Rationale: free GIS software for engineering use Impressions: strong proprietary plug-ins truly international effort MapWindow GIS

Status: open source OS support: Windows Produced by: University of Idaho, Pocatello Rationale: free GIS software from GIS toolkit Impressions: designed for optimized data access strong proprietary plug-ins

Quantum GIS

Status: open source OS support: Windows, Mac, Linux Produced by: no central organization Rationale: fast, free GIS software for Linux Impressions: good data format support supports GRASS plug-ins The “reality” of free / open source GIS software

lots of options / features lots of interest OK symbology / finish integrated systems Find out more about open source desktop GIS Thank You!

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