Article,

Digital Humanities and Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Making maps with commercial and open source software

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(2012)
DOI: https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-74470

Abstract

The use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is also in the Humanities an interesting method to analyze questions of space and time. For creating new results, we need to search reputed GIS software for our regular use. Within this article we tested two commercial and four open source GIS programs: MapInfo, ArcGIS, Quantum GIS, gvSIG, DIVA-GIS and SAGA. ArcGIS has the greatest functionality. But it is very expensive and not easy to use. MapInfo is particularly distinguished for GIS-beginners due to its large usability. However, the cost is quite high. Quantum GIS is a free software that is user friendly, and even for beginners easy to get started. gvSIG is not very easy to use and some ancillary functions are missing. DIVA-GIS provides a quick start by its good documentation. But the functionality is limited pretty soon. Many functions make SAGA to a full-fledged GIS, despite the lower number of enhancements. Hundreds extensions make Quantum GIS very powerful and versatile. Altogether for the Humanities the open source Quantum GIS represents a viable alternative to expensive commercial GIS software

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