Small Business Networking
Is there a good open source GIS package?
We need to build a set of maps that show overlays of several geographic information systems' (GIS) data sets. Have you seen any good open source GIS packages that we can start with before investing in something like ArcGIS?
Try the desktop GIS package called uDig, available free. The application offers sophisticated GeoSpatial GIS mapping capabilities in an Eclipse-based desktop application. Binary installers for Windows, Linux and Macintosh operating systems are available, along with source-code distributions for those who want to build Internet-enabled GIS applications based on uDig.
The binary installers come complete with the required Java run-time environment, and the package is easy to install and provides good tutorial help. There is some work required - you have to download a sample data file, unpack it into the uDig installation directory and adjust how you name the subfolder - but after that the instructions for pulling data from Web-based GIS data servers are accurate.
The uDig application is an affordable alternative to expensive GIS applications, and provides the ability to work with standard GIS formats - so you can work with several existing data sets and Web services, as well as create your own maps from scratch.
Blass is an IT manager in Phoenix and can be reached at dr.internet@jschnee.com.
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