What is QGIS?
QGIS is an open source, free alternative to the popular spatial mapping software ArcGIS Pro by ESRI. At the time of this writing, a prompt appears before you download the software where QGIS makes a statement about how the software is a result of a huge social effort who volunteer both their time and expertise to see this product to fruition for the betterment of the scientific community.
Commentary
In a world where scientific progress is often gated by paywalls and funding, it’s valuable to know about and support open source, free-to-access software like this. Often, they depend on the donations of their users to continue releasing updates and new features. Open source software (licensed under a GNU General Public License) allows you to download, use, and modify the software without paying any licensing fees.
If you want to support freely accessible software like this, you don’t always have to donate financially. You can also spread the word about its benefits, advocate for its use in the workplace, or contribute your own expertise where it is needed.
About OSGeo
OSGeo, which stands for The Open Source Geospatial Foundation (1) is the company behind QGIS.
OSGeo is a legally registered 501(c)(4) not-for-profit organization which hosts a range of initiatives and projects that go beyond just QGIS. Their mission is “to foster global adoption of open geospatial technology by being […] devoted to an open philosophy and participatory community driven development.”
If you have an interest in open-source mapping, it is worthwhile to look at their resources and projects on the OSGeo website.
Image (3) from https://qgis.org/project/case-studies/alps_ski_atlas/
Compatible Operating Systems
QGIS is widely available on a range of operating systems, including Windows, MacOS, Linux, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, Android, and iOS. It has fantastic cross-platform adaptability, and experimental Android and iOS versions are ongoing. A lot of users report that system requirements are virtually non-existent, as it runs well even on older computers. It is worth noting, however, that most geospatial data is large, so if you do not have enough storage, you may want to consider storing your projects on an external disk.
It is worth noting that this is an area where QGIS stands out even beyond its freely available and open source nature. ArcGIS Pro, the primary competitor in this space, cannot be run on any operating system other than Windows without a virtual environment or dual-boot system. None of that is required with QGIS software.
Additional Resources for Learning QGIS
On QGIS’ “thank you” page after downloading the software, you can access an installation guide for tips on your first launch. You can also download a sample dataset for testing and learning purposes, join local groups of QGIS users, and view case studies of how others have used QGIS.
In the QGIS Documentation “Getting Started”, you also have a Sample Session where you can learn how to load raster and vector layers.
Additional resources are available, such as the QGIS Training Manual (external link). Many organizations also offer a QGIS certification that you can take. (More on this below.)
Like other geospatial mapping software, the best way to learn is to start with a specific project in mind and compatible datasets. Basic map and data viewing is easy to pick up, and if you have familiarity with ArcGIS Pro or similar software, you’ll be familiar with the basic concepts. Overall, however, the learning curve for advanced features can be quite steep, though this is not specific to QGIS at all.
Certification Programme
On the QGIS website, you can access a list of local organizations that provide certified QGIS training courses. At the end of a certified course, you will receive an official QGIS certificate. This link goes to a certification subdomain where you can find organizations by country, as well as view upcoming online courses. If you select a course, even if it is online, be mindful of the region to ensure that the training content is in your desired language.
On the Certification Programme page, there is also information on how to become a certified training organization if your company actively participates in the open source mapping space and wants to offer official trainings.
References
References
References:
- The Open Source Geospatial Foundation, https://www.osgeo.org/
- The QGIS Training Manual, https://docs.qgis.org/3.44/en/docs/training_manual/index.html
- Ski Atlas of the Alps, Case Studies, https://qgis.org/project/case-studies/alps_ski_atlas/
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