NACIS PCD 2013: Navigating a Labyrinth of Libraries
This talk briefly and broadly introduces some popular mapping software for the desktop and web. Each is aligned on a spectrum between visualization and analysis, as a minor update to my January 2013 presentation on the same topic.
• An industry standard GIS • Complete vector and raster analysis • Hundreds of tools • Model builder • Python • Many training and certification options ArcGIS
• Open source, actively developed • Supports GRASS, PostgreSQL/PostGIS, OSM... • Great vector and raster tools • Easy to make your own / DL from others • Scriptable: Python, GDAL QGIS
PostGIS (PostgreSQL) • “Spatially-enabled PostgreSQL” • Incredibly powerful; super fast • No direct GUI SELECT ST_Extent(geom) FROM places WHERE place = 'STATE COLLEGE'; www.postgis.org postgresapp.com (OS X)
• Design maps in your browser • Add public layers + base maps made by others • Load your data from TileMill • Embed or share • Free account limited to 3,000 views / month • Use with MapBox.js or vanilla Leaflet MapBox
• JavaScript for drawing SVG styled with CSS • Extremely capable, many examples online • Steep learning curve, requires JS proficiency • Maps are only a small facet of D3 • Great when combined with other libraries (CartoDB.js/Torque, MapBox.js, Leaflet) D3 (Data-driven Documents)