Handy Maps for Changes URLs

Hi All -

Just wanted to post some handy links for Maps for Change.

Maps for change Web Site:  http://www.maps-for-change.org/

Facebook.  http://www.facebook.com/groups/169526459797145/ and http://www.facebook.com/pages/Maps-for-Change/165700866840698?sk=info

View Map of where Mappers are located: Map of Mappers

Free GIS

Hello Mappers for Change,

                One question that we are often asked at Maps for Change is about access to GIS software.  Most of you have learned on the ArcGIS suite, and while that is hands down the best GIS software most people don’t have the funds to pay for the program.  The purpose of this post is to share information about free GIS programs.  If you have a program which you love, please comment on it in the comments section.

1.       Arc GIS-  okay, while not free, ESRI is now offering the suite for $100 for non-com commercial use.  Making it great for volunteering. While there is a great free version for non-profits, MfC does not qualify, because we are not a 501 (c) 3 organization.  Visit http://www.esri.com/arcgis-for-home/index.html

2.       Quantum GIS—This is a great program which is open source and has great basic features and it works with grass.  http://qgis.org/

3.       gvSIG: Which was developed in by group of programmers in Spain. It is mainly developed for desktop users and it has mobile version too. It has most of GeoInformation analysis functions that are used in ArcGIS. Moreover it is open source, so it can be modified too according to your preferences. It has been developed in Java programming language. It is available in different languages (English, Spanish, Catalan, German, French, Portuguese, etc). The web site is http://www.gvsig.org/web/.

4.       Post- GIS: It is based on querying in SQL (similar to MySQL, PostgreSQL) It is mainly for handling and analyzing spatial data in strings. It is very good in analyzing geo-statistics. Moreover it can be linked to gvSIG and perform geo-analysis. It is light application and easy to use for those who has experience with SQL. It is also open source. http://postgis.refractions.net/

Welcome to Maps for Change

Maps for Change is a not-for-profit geo-spatial community organized by Juliana Wilhoit.  Maps for Change began after seeing the need of community organizations and large Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to have detailed maps to aid in the work that they do.  Originally starting as collaboration opportunity between students enrolled in GIS classes, we have expanded and now have a diverse base of both students and GIS professionals who share our dream of providing exceptional free maps to our partner organizations.  

Map for change has 300+ volunteers covering six continents.  We have partnerships with Paz y Esparanza (Peru), World Relief, 4K Map, Fund for International Peace, and the Gadfly Institute.

 We hope to help students and professionals realize that their GIS gifts, abilities, and talents can be used for global good and inspire social participation.  We believe in bringing students from theory to practice as well as giving professional an opportunity to share their knowledge.   We hope to create a network where NGOs can come together with Map for Change volunteers  to get their mapping projects done in an easy and efficient manner, saving money and helping their causes.  

This blog will be a tool to share tips and tricks that relate to GIS and mapping, especially on projects for free.  Please contact our Director of Communications to post topics at mapsforchange.communications@hotmail.com.

Thanks and Happy Mapping.