A Quantum Leap

I just had QuantumGIS installed on my work computer, which is exciting for multiple reasons. First off, I can give myself projects to work on when there's a lull. Second, I'm all for supporting open-source software use when possible. Third, it explicitly gives the finger to ESRI, who charges an arm and a leg for ArcGIS licenses as well as fees for admission to their user conference (even for non-profits).

The first time I downloaded Quantum was before I had ever used Arc, and I was naturally bewildered about how to do anything with it. I had downloaded some gigantic files and an outdated tutorial that required the use of GRASS alongside Quantum and was doing my best to come to some sort of understanding, but really to no avail. After working with Arc and coming back to Quantum, I must say I'm a fan of the interface now. It seems far less cluttered but still presumably with all the functionality (however that works). I haven't done any analysis with it yet, just trying to get my feet wet by making some maps.

Here's my first offering exclusively using Quantum: a labeled map of the watersheds (HUC 12 level) in Hamilton County, Tennessee. There's all kinds of data I'd like to put on the map, so it's hard to limit it for clarity's sake, but I'm still looking at making some future changes, like adding a shaded relief basemap from USGS and coloring the individual watersheds different colors instead of having chunky borders around each one.