Why learn to use QGIS?
Why learn to use QGIS?
THE MOST POPULAR FREE GIS SOFTWARE PACKAGE
QGIS is the 3rd most popular GIS software package, beaten only by ArcGIS and MapInfo[1], however unlike its proprietary counterparts, QGIS is free and open source yet still has very similar capabilities, meaning you can learn to use this high-spec platform without having to pay a penny in licence fees.
Is QGIS useful for geologists?
INDUSTRY-STANDARD CAPABILITY
Despite its zero price tag, QGIS has rapidly developed into a what is widely considered to be a truly industry-standard GIS platform. And with operational similarities to many of its competitors on the market, QGIS is a brilliant package for geologists to not only learn (for the transferable skills), but also simply just to use for their everyday geological work.
Competitive advantages of QGIS
Zero Cost
Free for anyone to use for absolutely any purpose
Rapid Development
Open source code means regular iterative updates
High Popularity
Large worldwide user base with snowballing support
Industrial Capability
Performance is comparable to proprietary alternatives
Interoperability
Work with many different platforms and data-types
Graphic User Interface
Modern UI means it is intuitive and easy-to-learn
Plug-in Extensions
Core functionality can be tailored and enhanced (free)
Rapid Processing
Plug-in model results in a lean core for rapid processing
Skill Transferability
Operationally comparable to paid-for counterparts