Open source GIS workshop

QGIS splash

This page is for a workshop which was offered in 2012. This workshop will be given in French in February 2013. Click here for details. 

The QCBS will be offering a workshop on open source GIS at McGill University. This will be offered twice: November 27 and December 4 from 1:30PM to 5:30PM and on November 30 and December 7 from 9AM-1PM. This workshop will be given in English (the same workshop will be offered in French in early 2013). Members of the QCBS can attend this workshop free of charge. Non-QCBS members will be allowed to register if enough places are available and will be charged 75$ per day of attendance (payable by check on the first day of the workshop). For more information or to register, please contact Guillaume Larocque.

Location

Stewart Biology Building of McGill University, Computer Lab, room N4/17 (4th floor, end of North block hallway).

Topics that will be covered during the workshop:

First day (4 hours)

  • Introduction to the concept of open source software.
  • Strengths and weaknesses of QGIS and GRASS. When (not) to use it.
  • Installation of QGIS and GRASS.
  • Basics of QGIS: importing maps, digitizing, vector capabilities, raster capabilities, database management, extensions.
  • Basic examples showing the use of QGIS for data analysis.

Second day (4 hours)

  • Basics of GRASS: setting up locations and mapsets.
  • Using GRASS with the wxPython GUI and command line.
  • Using GRASS within QGIS.
  • Linking GRASS and QGIS to R and DBMS.

Instructions for participants

  • You will need a laptop for the workshop. If you don’t own a laptop, you may be able to work in a team of two with another participant.
  • To be installed on your laptop before the workshop: QGIS 1.7.1. Installations instructions for Windows are here (use the OSGeo4W installer which includes GRASS and many other dependencies). Instructions for Mac OS X are here (please install GDAL, GSL and GRASS first). For Linux users: install QGIS and GRASS following these instructions. Note: GIS software will not be available on the computers in the lab.
  • Link to the course material on the QCBS wiki.

Registration