Open Source GIS Lab

Introduction

* What is GIS? That is, is it just software. What did Dr. Christina Hupy stress when she spoke about what defines what exactly constitutes GIS?
We all know that GIS is opensource software that helps us analyse and view geographical data. What Christina Hupy stressed was that you can't just plug in data and expect results, but that you have to manipulate the data so that the viewer can see what you want them to see. You must label things clearly to show the viewer what type of spacial data you are trying to interpret.
* What makes open source GIS (QGIS) different than proprietary (ESRI) GIS?
The main difference is that for proprietary software you need to buy and own the program, but for open source software you can use it for any software the supports it. Open source code is also shared between many people that can be adjusted as well with specific permissions while proprietary software you cannot change the code.
* What are advantages and disadvantages between the two?
Pros for opensource include getting help from a huge community on forums for problems, where the proprietary you can get tech support directly from the company. Also with open source it has less buggy coding because it is tested more frequently from many different people. Open source can branch off in different directions depending on where people want to take it and proprietary cannot.
* Why is Open Source GIS important to the UAS industry? That is, speculate upon your own experiences and goals to relate how this software could open doors and markets where proprietary GIS keeps doors closed.
The UAS industry is still very new. It is growing quickly and the application for drones are endless. Open source is very useful for new applications because it is easily adjusted to the users needs. Open source software can grow with the users and communities, where as a proprietary software is set when finished and will need completely new updates to catch up with the growing industry. That is why open source GIS will probably be used more in the UAS field than proprietary GIS.

Conclusions
* Draw upon the previous lab and compare your experience between Arc Desktop and QGIS.
Both were similar in some ways and very different in others. Arc Desktop was better for map making, but I felt like QGIS had more to offer in displaying and viewing data. QGIS had more to offer with different extensions and plug ins that were created by the community with a broader spectrum of use, where Arc Desktop seem to specialize on specific areas of view spatial data.
Both QGIS and Arc Desktop were good for their own reasons, but I think I prefer QGIS because it is open source, and I have more experience with open source software.