[OSGeo-Discuss] Can I do the same GIS tasks with OS (as with ESRI)?

[Tyler Mitchell (OSGeo)]

I agree with some of the other responses that challenge the way of  
traditional thinking.  Desktop GIS, Web and Databases are the tools  
of today - it's interesting to watch the various ways they come  
together (collide?) in projects.  If you look to replace desktop  
proprietary options, you may find that web-based tools start to fit  
the bill.  Or to do analysis you may find the database tools open up  
more possibilities, etc..

Personally I find it a great challenge to keep up with various  
developments in the OS field.  Even within OSGeo projects there is so  
much happening that it is hard to know which hurdles have been  
overcome or not.  For example, projects like GRASS, QGIS, gvSIG all  
have goals to improve various components and their improvements are  
at various stages.

Some, like gvSIG, have specific goals to fill the exact needs you  
have.  QGIS + GRASS makes a powerful combination, though I can't  
speak to its usability.  gvSIG + SEXTANTE makes similar strides in  
power.  Then there are the service-based opportunities using WPS via  
PyWPS, deegree, 52 North, etc.

I've got no hard answer because I feel the goal posts are constantly  
moving, and the others have touched on more specifics.

Hope that general answers helps somewhat.

Tyler

On 24-Apr-08, at 12:41 PM, Jennifer Horsman wrote:

> The thread that was started today with the subject "Your open  
> source career" got me thinking about asking a question that has  
> been rolling around in my head. This is pointed at those people who  
> have experience with ESRI products as well as OS GIS products.
>
> I have been a long-time user of ESRI products, but I want to start  
> my own contract business and will not be able to afford the license  
> for ArcGIS/ArcInfo. So I recently set up a Linux box with GRASS  
> installed, but it has been over 10 years since I have used GRASS  
> (it has probably changed since then too!)
>
> Does GRASS have the same analysis and display capabilities as  
> ArcGIS? I know this is a very general question, so perhaps another  
> question would be where does GRASS fall short and where does it  
> excel in comparison to the ESRI products?
>
> Thanks,
> Jennifer
>