Open Source GIS

In the previous lab we learned how to work with ArcGIS where we created a digital surface map that you can find in the post below. Building off that, we were given the opportunity to learn from Dr. Christina Hupy about open source QGIS software. The following questions and answers outline what we did during our tutorial and how proprietary software in GIS differentiates from open source QGIS software.

Introduction

• What is GIS? That is, is it just software. What did Dr. Christina Hupy stress when she spoke about what defines what exactly constitutes GIS?
• GIS Stands for geographic information system and provides structure to manage, convey, and analyze many forms of data. GIS allows the user to more effectively investigate different layers of information making use of maps and 3D models to help identify patterns and solve problems. 
• What makes open source GIS (QGIS) different than proprietary (ESRI) GIS?
• Any software that is open source is collaboratively built, developed, and tested by a large community of contributors. Open source GIS is able to grow a lot faster and more efficiently than proprietary GIS because there are no business related loops to jump through.
• What are advantages and disadvantages between the two?
• The main advantage of open source software as a whole is that it is able to be developed collectivley and quickly to meet a wide array of needs. Open source software allows the users to control the development of where their needs truly are. Using open source software in the drone industry is crucial because of the rate of technological advancements moving so rapidly. A disadvantage of open source software is that there are no true admins that can ensure that the software is running correctly. An advantage of ESRI GIS is that it is a lot smoother around the edges and allows for quick understanding of the software. A proprietary GIS would have problem solving teams to deal with any problems but this is also a disadvantage because the software has to generate revenue to be able to pay these people.
• Why is Open Source GIS important to the UAS industry? That is, speculate upon your own experiences and goals to relate how this software could open doors and markets where proprietary GIS keeps doors closed.
• Technology is always changing, evolving, and improving. Open source GIS follows the same path of this constant development which makes it extremely important to the industry as a whole. Proprietary GIS Software will always be one step behind the curve due to updates needing to be approved and implemented.

Method/Discussion

• The creation of a hill shaded digital surface map in QGIS had many steps. For example, at first we had to make sure the appropriate plug ins were enabled then we added the data into a new layer. Going into layer properties allowed us to select a color ramp and select the minimum and maximum values. We were able to adjust the transparency and create a hillshade effect. Dr. Christina Hupy patiently walked us through the creation of a false color image by stacking different layers and adjusting band numbers to create a false color infrared image.

Conclusions

• Draw upon the previous lab and compare your experience between Arc Desktop and QGIS.
• There are quite a few differences between the two programs. Personally I had an easier time getting through and creating the false color image with a few pointers. At first glance the proprietary software looks simple enough, but I ran into numerous problems with the tool box disappearing and commands simply taking way too much time to load or not even load at all. QGIS for the most part ran very smoothly and I was extremely impressed by a software built by people coming together from all over.
• Draw upon the lab examples, and some of the plug ins you were shown to link how this could relate to UAS data, and perhaps even your final project.
• My final project requires me to analyze data that I get from flying over ponds and I think I could utilize many of the tools and plug ins when creating a map for a potential customer, 

1. 1.       Prior to this activity, how would you rank yourself in knowledge about the topic. (1-No Knowledge at all, 2-Very Little Knowledge, 3-Some knowledge, 4-A good amount of knowledge, 5-I knew all about this)
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2. 2.       Following this activity, how would you rate the amount of knowledge you have on the topic (1- I don’t really know enough to talk about the topic, 2- I know enough to explain what I did, 3-I know enough to repeat what I did, 4-I know enough to teach someone else, 5- I am an expert)
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3. 3.       Did the hands-on approach to this activity add to how much you were able to learn (1-Strongly Disagree, 2-Disagree, 3-No real opinion, 4-Agree, 5-Strongly Agree)
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What types of learning strategies would you recommend to make the activity even better?
  Allow us to watch someone walk through the creation of one of these maps without having to constantly have our eyes flick from our computer to the presentation. At some points I fell behind and became lost because I had missed one of the steps.