shrug-l: Looking for Suggestions

Casey Lindemuth casey_lindemuth@hotmail.com
Fri, 26 Aug 2005 10:44:51 -0400


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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:City><st1:place>Gary</st1:place></st1:City>,</FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Depending on the level of how GIS concepts are going to be taught would depend on the type of software that I would recommend.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>I have been using ESRI products for many years now and have seen the quality in their software decrease and their cost increase.</FONT></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">QGIS</B> is good because it is free and can be used on multiple platforms.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>I do have <B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">QGIS</B> loaded on Windows 2000 and I’ve had stability issues with it in a Windows environment.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>I do know that it is stable running in a UNIX environment.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Also, if you are going to be using the software for high end GIS analysis, then I would not recommend <B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">QGIS</B>.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>It is very good for cartography purposes and teaching some GIS concepts.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Another good cartography software for 
free is <B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">FGIS</B>.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>I have found that to be stable within a Windows environment.</FONT></FONT></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>If you are looking for software to perform high end GIS analysis then you might want to use <B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">GRASS</B>.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">GRASS</B> capabilities are equal to that of <B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">ARCINFO</B>.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Learning <B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">GRASS</B> has been somewhat difficult for me because <B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">ESRI ARCINFO</B> commands/methods have been hammered into my way of thinking for several years now, but GIS concepts still apply.</FONT></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Although I have not personally setup <B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Mapserver</B>, I have seen it used and I plan on implementing it as soon as I have mastered <B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">GRASS</B>.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Other GIS professional have used it and compared it to <B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">ESRI’s ARCIMS</B>.</FONT></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>I hope this helps.</FONT></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Regards,</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Casey Lindemuth</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>GIS Analyst</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Environmental Consulting and Technology</FONT></P>
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<DIV></DIV>From:&nbsp;&nbsp;<I>watry@steam.coaps.fsu.edu</I><BR>Reply-To:&nbsp;&nbsp;<I>watry@steam.coaps.fsu.edu</I><BR>To:&nbsp;&nbsp;<I>shrug-l@lists.dep.state.fl.us</I><BR>Subject:&nbsp;&nbsp;<I>shrug-l: Looking for Suggestions</I><BR>Date:&nbsp;&nbsp;<I>Thu, 25 Aug 2005 19:16:39 EDT</I><BR>&gt;Hi<BR>&gt;<BR>&gt;I am looking for some ideas about software. I have been asked to teach<BR>&gt;GIS to under Grad and Grad students.<BR>&gt;<BR>&gt;Here is the situation:<BR>&gt;1: we run MAC, Linux, XP on the desk tops. (I am looking for GIS software<BR>&gt;that runs on all platforms.)<BR>&gt;<BR>&gt;2. I can not incur a large recurring cost or high setup costs for<BR>&gt;multiple machines.<BR>&gt;<BR>&gt;What I have so far 
is:<BR>&gt;Software&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Cost&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Platforms&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Comments<BR>&gt;QGIS&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Free&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(open source)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mac, XP, Linux<BR>&gt;limited 
XP<BR>&gt;TNTLite&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Free&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(limited capability)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mac, XP, Linux<BR>&gt;limited data size<BR>&gt;Grass&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Free&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(open source)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Mac, XP, Linux<BR>&gt;steep setup<BR>&gt;<BR>&gt;3. For web services, It will start on a Linux (maybe windows server in 6<BR>&gt;months)<BR>&gt;Software<BR>&gt;MN MapSever&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Free&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(open source)<BR>&gt;WebView 
Professional&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; $360&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (Educational License that is<BR>&gt;extension in ARCGIS)<BR>&gt;<BR>&gt;If I get a Windows server<BR>&gt;Software<BR>&gt;MN MapSever&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Free&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(open source)<BR>&gt;Manifold&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;$300&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(fully functional)<BR>&gt;<BR>&gt;Thanks for any ideas or suggestions<BR>&gt;<BR>&gt;Gary Watry<BR>&gt;<BR>&gt;GIS Coordinator<BR>&gt;Center for Ocean-Atmospheric Prediction Studies<BR>&gt;Floirda State University<BR>&gt;Suite 200 Johnson Building<BR>&gt;Tallahassee, Florida 32306<BR>&gt;<BR>&gt;Phone: (850) 644-4174<BR>&gt;E-mail: 
watry@coaps.fsu.edu<BR>&gt;<BR>&gt;<BR>&gt;_______________________________________________<BR>&gt;SHRUG-L mailing list<BR>&gt;SHRUG-L@lists.dep.state.fl.us<BR>&gt;http://lists.dep.state.fl.us/mailman/listinfo/shrug-l<BR></FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></div></html>