For those who want to experiment with Linux-based GIS, or you have older hardware that just can’t handle Windows XP, Matt Perry has a nice post on his blog on adding applications to a basic Ubuntu 7.10 Linux installation to turn it into a decent open source GIS workstation. Step-by-step directions are included for installing:
- Quantum GIS
- GRASS
- MapServer
- GPSBabel
- GMT (Generic Mapping Tools)
- PostGIS
- … and more
You’ll find the apps installed in the /usr/bin directory.
A few more Linux-compatible software packages to consider adding to this set (require Java to be installed on the system):
uDig extracts into a folder that contains the Java program launcher. To install a *.bin file in Ubuntu Linux (like gvSIG), open the Terminal application, change the directory to the location of the *.bin file, and type:
sudo sh *.bin
Where *.bin is the full name of the .bin file.
If you want to augment these application, there’s a fair number of Windows geographic tools (e.g. MicroDEM) that will run under the WINE emulator.
Taking this as another opportunity to give Ubuntu Linux a spin, I will say that Ubuntu 7.10 (“Gutsy Gibbon”) is another step forward for desktop Linux, but I still have major ease-of-use issues with it. I find myself pounding my head against a wall far more often with Linux than with either Windows XP or Macintosh (but don’t get me started on Vista).
Related posts:
- GISVM – A Virtual Ubuntu Linux GIS Workstation
- Check Out The GISVM Virtual Linux GIS Workstation With Your Browser
- GIS-Oriented Linux Distributions
- gvSIG Version 1.9 Released
- Updates For Two Open-Source GIS Programs
- Prune Updated To 6.0 – Photo Geotagging And GPS Track Visualization For Windows, Mac And Linux
- OA Digital Version Of gvSIG 1.9 Is Out
- Prune Updated: Now With Automated Photo Geotagging For Windows, Mac, And Linux
- GIS On A Stick
- OpenDragon: New Open-Source Imagery Analysis Program
