Free GIS Sites and Software

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1 Free GIS Sites and Software Alex Robertson Saint Ignatius College, Athelstone Web Manager Geography Teachers Association of South Australia AGTA GIS Conference, Launceston, Tasmania January 2006

edu.au Web Manager Geography Teachers Association of

2 Session Details Software definitions (freeware, shareware, licences: computer and networks) GIS: Stand Alone Software Freeware GIS Basics Web Applications GPS GIS data: relevant sites Advanced tools VRML Play

3 Software Definitions EULA: End User Licence Agreements Licences: various stand alone, networked computer and networks etc. Open Source yours to use adapt and share Shareware - cost involved Freeware yours to use; not distribute Caveat emptor* Web-based Programs no such problem with these licences as data is free to use NB: Screen dumps & analytical exercises

Open Source yours to use adapt and share Shareware - cost involved Freeware yours to use;

4 GIS Software The Known: ESRI - Arcview & MapInfo Data sources as a problem Local data Other Alternatives: Fieldwork (GIS & GPS to create own databases) Sites to download data (Aust Government topographic ) Freeware: - University-based/commercial products: Gifted & Talented students for future use Other programs are ready to use simple stand alone set-ups - Some programs can be used now without the need for training/assistance Online Alternatives Constructivist outlook for education: individual programmes Data developed by someone else (C21st textbook learning) Classroom/examination material

future use Other programs are ready to use simple stand alone set-ups - Some programs can be used now without the need for training/assistance Online

5 GRASS GRASS is GIS Software similar to Arcview It is an Open Licence software program Like commercial products, it needs some server installation as well as client side installation File types: *.grs file Modules can be downloaded on an as need basis, gratis User manuals can also be obtained Can import/export data from other formats Disadvantages: no helpdesk style support ( /web forums are available) Specialisations have been developed by software engineers for end user purposes: school-friendly ones as well as high end purposes. Website: ; Also information at Sourceforge:

grs file Modules can be downloaded on an as need basis, gratis User manuals can also be obtained Can import/export data from other formats Disadvantages: no

6 Genesis II Genesis II generates photo-realistic images of landscapes. Images can be generated in a few mouse clicks using a landscape grid and the program defaults. Tutorial1-dtm_model.htm Tutorial2 bitmap_draping.htm Commercial and Freeware Versions Website: (associated with a Scots University)

program defaults. Tutorial1-dtm_model.htm Tutorial2 bitmap_draping.

8 Map Filter MapFilter is a simple image processing application designed for use with Genesis II software. It provides a quick and simple way to extract contour information from a scanned map (bitmap) image for use by these programs. The scanned contour information allows for contour draping once contours are defined (with different colours/values. It is time consuming to colour contours but worth the effort to show a draped location in Genesis II Website:

9 Geomatica FreeView Geomatica FreeView 9 is a flexible data viewing tool supporting over 100 raster and vector formats for loading, viewing, selection, and enhancement. FreeView is useful for any geospatial data viewing application, and is freely distributable. But: Data cannot be edited or saved. Data in the interface is marked as read only. The viewer does not offer any capabilities for analytical work. Good for satellite image interpretation/rgb layer composition; real vs. false colour imagery: histograms to display colour distribution Website Canadian Product with other add on features (at cost).

Data in the interface is marked as read only. The viewer does not offer any capabilities for analytical work.

11 OpenEV Application for viewing and analysing raster and vector geospatial data in 2D and 3D Website: Python Language authored Similar to Geomatica Freeview in viewing of imagery but has MapInfo facility Flowmap Spatial analysis tool focusing in on linear relationships Website: Good for small areas but larger areas need more computing power than average stand alone machines (mainframes)

net/ Python Language authored Similar to Geomatica Freeview in viewing of imagery but has MapInfo facility

13 Web Basics WWW Sites Three Generations of Sites Pre 2000 to 2002 RGB (colour bitmap) mapping Limited pan-zoom; no hotlinks; limited features Dr Snow s mapping achievements Waldo Tobler: National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis: Geography Dept University of California, Santa Barbara, onwards: multi-spectrum colour; isoline: choropleth/colour mapping Hot links; different map imaged for different scales; java scripting & specialisation of languages; Third Generation/Type: Information Database with GIS component: eg: Atlas of South Australia; OzEstuaries

Barbara, 1994 2002 onwards: multi-spectrum colour; isoline: choropleth/colour mapping Hot links; different map imaged for different scales; java

14 Charles Sturt University, Australia Basic Mapping Output

16 University of Canterbury Access Antarctica

17 Bureau of Rural Sciences

18 Bushfire Risk Duffy, ACT

19 GIS and Databases Satellite Image Interpretation Ozesturaries Site: Not only mapping imagery; Satellite information available Low resolution material; Imagery usually only a section of the screen rather than a sizeable portion. Supplementary material about relevant sites/data within the site/external links. St Kilda - Port Gawler Site, North of Adelaide

usually only a section of the screen rather than a sizeable portion.

20 NOAA Click and Zoom Forecasting

22 GIS Web-based Interfaces A sample of sites Australian Toilet Map: Estuaries Australian Natural Resources Atlas Online: Geoscience Australia Earthquake database Bureau of Rural Sciences Planning SA Maps Online: Atlas of South Australia: Google Maps: Multimap: New South Wales Natural Resources Atlas:

23 GPS Programs Purpose of the data: correct GPS Usage with hardware; coordinate systems; initialisation and waypoint usage Correct Datum for your area: local knowledge and beware for updates of this datum type Freeware & Evaluation Versions in a student context user friendly and immediately accessible Creating a fun environment: harnessing their interest at school/from home Fieldwork for this type of exercise: mapping to a context GPS & GIS conversions

24 EasyGPS Easy GPS Website: Abilities to send and receive (upload/download) waypoints with symbols to plot precise locations; insertion of own symbols/waypoints etc for data

25 GPS Utility Shareware: Freeware (evaluation version) and/or full licence version Website: Data entry the most convenient feature for manipulating information for uploading.

26 GPS Track Maker South American (Brazilian) Software: Freeware and Fully Licensed versions GPS Track Maker is a GPS data transfer program, which has drawing capabilities, a map underlay feature, trail logs insertions and other features in the one program. Website: Layer available to underlay a map image to relevant tracks

27 Visual GPS WYSIWYG GPS for laptop operation (nb: data ports) Reports signal strength; satellite position (astronomical: azimuth and elevation) waypoint and tracklog positions One tool for encouraging e-learning; vehicular basis: camps & small scale fieldwork: constructivist approach Website:

28 Visual GPS

29 Google Earth Commercial Product with freeware component Keyhole Community (use of infrastructure: eg: message boards) Three levels: Standard, Plus & Pro Satellite Imagery (various resolutions) plus pan, tilt, & overlays Educational community: Educational Pro: Version 2 Licences gratis until 31/6/2006

30 Krakatau, Indonesia

31 Urban View aerial photograph

32 Urban View - oblique angle

33 Satellite Mosaic

35 Google Earth Movie link Google Earth

36 GIS Data Resources Office of Spatial Data Management: Geoscience Australia: (includes licence agreements for use of data; address & download bandwidth essential) ABS Census At Schools Project 2006 Also see A4 sheet:

37 What is VRML? VRML allows for 3D objects to be shown and manipulated in a web browser They require installation files to view their file objects: these include Cortona (Parallel Graphics) Contact (blaxxun) CosmoPlayer More information can be found with the following sources: X3D Working Group: FAQ:

38 Hangzhou Project Harvard University 2000

40 VRML GeoVRML: Seamless3D VRML: Netscape s 3D VRML Guide: **Virtual Terrain Project: Google Earth Major USA Cities View layers section

Mapping Mashup/Data Integration Development Resources Teaching with Google Earth and Google Ocean Stone Lab August 13, 2010

Mapping Mashup/Data Integration Development Resources Teaching with Google Earth and Google Ocean Stone Lab August 13, 2010 David Hart GIS Specialist University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute Virtual