Probably the biggest open-source GIS usage is
MapServer, a web-mapping platform widely used. GeoServer is also
widely-used and a bit more user-friendly.
For desktop users, I would
recommend:
MapWindow (Windows only)
QGIS (multi-platform and
includes a GRASS plug-in)
gvSIG is also open-source, but I have found some of the
documentation is still Spanish-only
Keep in mind these tools have limited functionality
compared to ArcGIS or MapInfo, but for a lot of people all they need is this
lower level of functionality. Potentially very useful especially for
municipalities with small budgets.
GDAL/OGR is one of my favorite tools, it is a
command-line interface for converting spatial data from one format to another,
reprojecting data, mosaicking images, etc. It is great for
batch-processing image data.
**********
Michael Smith
State GIS
Manager
Maine Office of GIS
Does anybody use an open-source GIS program?
Or can you
recommend one?
Is GRASS the best thing for Windows users?
I started to
write and ask the Geolibrary listserv members this question a month or so ago,
but after so many folks freaked out from my last question (Tax Maps - any
format) and subsequently asked to be taken off the listserv, fear and guilt has
- up until now - been able to suppress the query. However, the pursuit of the
best open-source GIS program still lingers and in advance of the Thursday
12.18.2008 11:30-2:00 Central Maine Roundtable at the Waterville
City Hall in the Council Chambers (see Dan Walters notice below) I thought
it a good time to ask. I've also cc'd this notice to surveyors in the Hancock
and Penobscot area in case they might also be looking for an economic
alternative to ESRI products.
And for any Geolibrary listserv members
interested, you're most certainly welcome to attend the MSLS Hancock-Penobscot
Chapter's meeting Thursday 12.11.2008 5:30PM at the Whig
and Courier
Pub upstairs in the meeting room in Bangor where Paul Swett is slated to
give an ArcPad GIS demonstration.
V. Kelly Bellis, PLS 2099
Horizon Surveying Company,
Inc.
17 Union Street
Ellsworth, ME 04605
207.667.6912
Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:15:37 Notice from Dan Walters:
The
Maine GIS Users group is hosting a Central Maine Roundtable from 11:30 AM to 2
PM on December 18, 2008 in the City of Waterville Council Chambers. The
purpose of the roundtable is to provide a local forum for GIS users to get to
know each other, share ideas and help each other resolve problems. Mike
Smith from the Maine Office of GIS has agreed to make a presentation on
Open-source (free!) GIS software to get the roundtable started. The
remainder of the time will be an open discussion, so make a list of issues you
need help with, ideas you have to advance the use of GIS in the area and
information you would like to share. You can register
at the MEGUG website (www.megug.org ). We will be ordering sandwiches from
a local eatery and will circulate a menu the week before the meeting. Feel
free to bring your own lunch if you prefer.
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