North River Geographic Systems Inc

Geospatial Problem Solving

QGIS

Updated Training News for January 2013

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So I had to move two classes back due to some unforeseen issues coming up – so I moved them back a couple of weeks. Sorry – My news years resolution was to not move classes – and here I go two days in moving stuff around.

  • January 25th 2013
  • Introduction to Quantum GIS – Price $350 per person.
  • This one day class is an introduction to Quantum GIS. Quantum GIS is a user friendly Open Source GIS Package released under the GNU General Public License. It runs under Linux, Unix, Mac OSX and Windows and supports multiple raster and vector formats. Students should be able to navigate and install the software and use it when needed and integrate it into current work flow.

 

  • January 22th 2013
  • Introduction to Model Builder – Price $350 per person
  • his one day class provides an Introduction to ESRI’s Model Builder  application found within the ArcGIS Desktop Software. ModelBuilder is an application you use to create, edit, and manage models. Models are work flows that string together sequences of geoprocessing tools, feeding the output of one tool into another tool as input. ModelBuilder can also be thought of as a visual programming language for building workflows.

Introduction to QGIS Class January 11th 2013

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qgis….and I’m doing it again. The Introduction to QGIS class will be held on January 11th 2013.

This one day class will cover the basics of QGIS and should give you a good idea of the capabilities and possibilities with the software.

Subjects Covered:

  • Overview of GIS
  • Introduction to Quantum GIS
  • Vector Data
  • Raster Data
  • Plugins
  • Fields and Attribution
  • Creating Data
  • Map Layout

As always you get 1 year of Level III support. Part of the class fees also get contributed back – so while you are learning you are also helping further the development of the software.

  • Class Price:$350 dollars.
  • Location: Chattanooga TN
  • Date January 11th 2013

Contact me (rjhale@northrivergeographic.com) for more information.

GIS Bubble

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I spent the day working and thinking. I saw this earlier last week and it popped up again either on twitter, facebook, or somewhere:

It’s an interesting look at Google Maps and how it got to where it is now. Plus some nifty editing tools. Of course if you watch that – then you must watch this:

Yeah – it’s two separate things. Search and Mapping – but not really. It’s why I like working on OSM – I map what I want. You can do the same with Google – but I do worry about the filter bubble with Google Maps. Things can go wrong. Things can be ignored. It’s not anything inherent in google maps – I think it’s more the way we perceive things. You get used to one thing – be it Google or ESRI and you develop blinders. Hence my new love affair with Quantum GIS, PostGIS, and DuckDuckGO.

Change is good. Change up your GIS. Change up the way you look at maps. Stand on your head if you need to – it helps.

Commercial QGIS Support

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So here comes the Great Experiment. Software Support.

I’ve been a 19 year veteran of watching ESRI produce software. Probably 90% of my customers are ESRI based. The other 10% can’t afford a GIS system due to budget. As an ESRI Business Partner I convinced some of the 10% to make the investment. Over the last year I’ve been working with Open Source Software and have decided to branch out. So I dropped my ESRI Business Partner Status and I’m now working openly with Open Source GIS software and ESRI Software. As a GIS business I’m feeling a bit more robust than I was last year.I’m working with more data formats and working with databases (notably Postgresql/PostGIS) more. I’m also working with data – because no matter what you do with ArcGISOnline, or Web Maps, or whatever it’s the data that matters.

To that end I’ve been working on a support page with different options. As was often said in my favorite Chinese restaurant: If you don’t find something you like – we’ll make it.

QGIS has turned into my new favorite software package. So I’m now offering paid support for an open source software package. Some companies are hesitant to use Open Source GIS packages because you don’t have someone to call for support. If I fall back to the old 80/20 rule – I can argue QGIS can do about 80% of what ArcGIS does – in particular ArcView. There are things that are missing but they are few. So what do you get:

  • Cost is $500 dollars for up to 5 installs (computers) of QGIS (How will I know – I won’t).
  • Newsletter and Access to the support website
  • Email Support
  • Phone Support during core business hours
  • Includes a discount on our Introduction to QGIS Class.
  • Time Frame is one year.

More importantly some of this money goes back to QGIS. So your use of the software is going to help the QGIS progress and develop. This is something I’m still feeling out and working on so there will be changes along the way.

Anyway – let the fun begin.

Introduction to Quantum GIS Class now being offered

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The last few weeks have been interesting. I’ve been making a lot of decisions about different things. One of the things I’ve been wrestling with is training. I’m an ESRI CTP. I’ve worked hard to get that designation. It’s an integral part of this company. With that program more or less ending I’ve been offering everyone breaks on training to just just train. It really made me think though what happens when it ends.What do you do when your business partner tanks 1/3 of your business plan……..

I got the chance a few years back to teach URISA’s Open Source GIS Workshop. Actually I did one better than that – I co-taught it with the person that wrote the book. No pressure there. I have taught it twice and both times I’ve learned a bit more. Both times I’ve incorporated things I learned back into my work environment.

When one door closes another opens. I’ve got a lot of thoughts rolling around in my head on why I’m doing what I’m doing. I can’t quite let them out yet – but I can start letting some out.

I’m announcing my first custom class – Introduction to Quantum GIS. It’s a 1 day class and I’m starting out offering it at $275 dollars – it may go up or down. It’s not quite done – I’m still working with the slides and am filling out class exercises. I’m taking a slightly different approach with the class – I’m targeting GIS Professionals and trying to show them how well this software works and how it can be used. I use it not quite every day but I’m starting to get close. I’m turning into one of those guys who will work with about any software to get the most important thing right – the data.

Things we will cover in the class:

  • Map Layouts
  • Symbology
  • Editing Vector Data
  • Vector and Raster Data
  • Plugins
  • Labeling

I’m excited. I’ve had the luck of speaking with a developer on the project. More widespread exposure helps the software develop. Plus, anything that makes me a better GIS person and pushes me more is a good thing. With that said this isn’t the last class I’m going to build – I’ve got an idea for a couple of more and depending on how this class goes there might be more Quantum Classes. Who knows. Watch for a OpenStreetMap class coming this summer.

Email or Call with questions. I’ll answer what I can.