This is the presentation given at Idlelo 4, on 20 May 2010. The topic for the presentation is on Free and Open Source GIS.

1. Presentation by:
Nico Elema
GIS Global Image (Pty) Ltd
www.globalimage.co.za
Free and Open
Source GIS
www.globalimage.co.za
www.gipapyrus.com

2. WHY Geographical
Technologies?

3. Because a map
speaks a thousand
words!

4. What is a GIS?
 GIS is an abbreviation for geographic
information system, which is
 computer software that maps and
analyzes geographic data
 A GIS links location (spatial or maps) and
database (tabular) information and
enables a person to visualize patterns,
relationships and trends.

5. What is a GIS? (Continue)
Spatial or Map (Raster or Vector)
This is a vector map… Database (Tabular)
Polygons
i.e.
Properties
Points
i.e.Trees
Lines
i.e.
water
pipelines

6. Still Defining GIS
 What do you need to use GIS?
A full GIS, or geographic information
SYSTEM, requires:
 Hardware
 Software
 Data
 People System
 Training
 Processes

7. GIS Components
Hardware
Computers, Networks,
PEOPLE Printers, Plotters,
Administrators, Digitizers
Managers, Technicians, Software
End users, Consumers
GIS software, Database
G software, OS software,
Network software
I
S
Methods or
processes
Guidelines, Data
Specifications, Vector, Raster, Images,
Standards, Attribute
Procedures

8. Ultimate definition of a GIS
It’s a TOOL.
Oxford Dictionary defines a tool as:
1. Instrument held in the hand and used for
working on
2. Anything used to DO or ACHIEVE

9. GIS is about DATA, not
SOFTWARE
Data is information, Knowledge (or
know-how) has to do with the process
of learning, understanding, and
applying information.

10. Beekeeper
Source: James Dixon: Pentaho

11. Source: James Dixon: Pentaho

12. Source: James Dixon: Pentaho

13. ESRI Solution: OSS Solution
•
MS SQL; Oracle; PostgreSQL (database) •
PostgreSQL (database)
•
ArcGIS Server – Standard (SDE + Map •
PostGIS (spatially enables PostgreSQL)
serving on web) •
Mapserver (Internet map generator)
•
ArcEditor (1 license)(Edit maps on •
MapWindow GIS (desktop GIS analysis and
desktop) capture)
•
ArcView ( 15 nonc licenses (3 per LA)) for
Desktop analysis
•
15 non-concurrent desktop users; unlimited •
Unlimited desktop and browser
browser viewers.
users
•
1 GIS user that can edit data.
•
•
GIS & Db License fees: R0.00
•
(Excluding servers)
Min GIS License fees:~R420 000.00 ~(US$
•
53 800.00)(excluding server and Database
software)

14. Software Type GIS Software Database Software
• Oracle
• MS SQL
• ESRI
• MS Access
• MapInfo
• ADABAS
Licensed software • AutoDesk MapGuide
• Informix
• IDRISI
• dBase
• Planet GIS
• Sybase
Proprietary MapMagic
software
• MapWindow GIS •MySQL
Open Source
• Quantum GIS (QGIS) •PostgreSQL
Software
• GRASS •OpenOffice.org base

15. GIS software Free OpenSource Windows Mac OS X Linux BSD Unix Web
Autodesk No Yes No Yes No No Yes
CARIS No Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Chameleon Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
eica ERDAS IMAGINE Yes No Yes No No No Yes No
ESRI No Yes No Yes No Yes Yes
GRASS Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes via pyWPS
ClarkLabs IDRISI No No Yes No No No No No
Intergraph [1] No No Yes No No No CLIX Yes
Pitney Bowes MapInfo No Yes No Yes No Yes Yes
UMN MapServer Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Caliper Maptitude No No Yes No No No No Yes
Yes
MapWindow GIS Yes Yes No No No No No
(ActiveX)
Oracle Spatial No No Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes
Flash & AJAX
Orbit GIS home No
& Javascript
PostGIS Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Quantum GIS Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Smallworld No No Yes No Yes ? Yes Yes
Caliper TransCAD No No Yes No No No No Yes
TerraLib TerraView Yes Yes Yes No Yes No No No
uDIG Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No

16. The power of a GIS:
Find all the market centres in Kenya that are within a 10km
distance from major roads.
Problem:
 Kenya has more than 1600 towns.
 Which ones of them are market centres?
 How do I define a major road?
 I cannot go and measure, by vehicle or foot, the distance
each town is from the major road – IT WILL TAKE ME
AGES!!
WITH A GIS IT CAN TAKE ME 5 minutes!

30. GIS Application Development:
Papyrus Integrated GIS

31. Papyrus Integrated GIS
www.gipapyrus.com

32. Papyrus Integrated GIS
www.gipapyrus.com

33. Papyrus Integrated GIS
www.gipapyrus.com

34. Papyrus Integrated GIS
www.gipapyrus.com

35. Papyrus Integrated GIS
www.gipapyrus.com

36. Papyrus Integrated GIS
www.gipapyrus.com

37. Papyrus Integrated GIS
www.gipapyrus.com

38. More GIS Magic!

39. Census 2001 & Cadastre 2007

40. Census 2001 & SPOT 2006/7

41. 2001 Census & 2006/7 SPOT Imagery

42. IDENTIFYING HOUSEHOLD GROWTH 2001 - 2007

43. QUANTIFYING HOUSEHOLD GROWTH 2001 - 2007

44. CLASSIFYING FORMAL CADASTRE

45. STATSSA DWELLING FRAME 2007

46. Even more GIS Magic!
USHAHIDI

47. www.ushahidi.com

48. Stay in contact...

51. Contact:
nico@globalimage.co.za
www.globalimage.co.za
www.gossrc.org
LinkedIn: NicoElema
Twitter: @TheGISguy