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This right here. GIS is accessible to anyone who knows Javascript, Python, and SQL thanks to the open source GIS ecosystem. Previously it was the sole domain of
by dbreunig 6y ago
This right here. GIS is accessible to anyone who knows Javascript, Python, and SQL thanks to the open source GIS ecosystem. Previously it was the sole domain of ESRI priests.
Now this is a net good thing, but there are downsides. Generalists wielding specialist tools means that a lot of the wonky basics aren't known until things break. But this is a blip compared to the step-change of making an entire field accessible to anyone who's a decent programmer with a healthy appetite for research. It's crazy how much you can spin up with PostGIS, Python, Mapbox and/or Leaflet...no ESRI license needed.
- tomrod 6y agoIndeed. This was my experience when a nonprofit in my area set up their geomapping for Covid-19 support. There was of course some domain growth, but I was super impressed with the tooling. Even more so now that networkx and Qneat3 support other topological use cases. All and all exciting stuff.
- Sn0wCoder 6y agoI was doing ArcGis about 10 years ago and it was amazing the quality of the free maps MN data deli provided. Your comment makes me excited to try out these new tools even tho I mainly do front end work now. It’s a great time to be a programmer!
- dbreunig 6y agoLucky for you, it's also a golden age for frontend GIS. I'm a big fan of https://vis.gl/ https://vis.gl/