Research Guides: Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Software

GIS Software Help

GIS Software at Baruch

GIS software (ArcGIS, QGIS, and GRASS) is available in the following locations:

BCTC Lab
6th floor of the library building
The Library
On the 2nd floor, machines beside and behind the spiral staircase
GIS Lab
9th floor of the library building - by appointment only
Newman VC Classrooms
Computer classrooms on the 6th through 8th floors
Baruch Faculty and Staff
Should contact your BCTC liason if you're interested in having software installed (ArcGIS can only be installed on Windows machines owned by the college)

Choosing GIS Software

There are many GIS software packages to choose from; at Baruch you can choose between the proprietary ArcGIS and the open source QGIS. Each has strengths and weaknesses that you'll have to evaluate based on your research requirements.

QGIS

Visit QGIS to learn more, download the software for free, and learn about the GIS practicum for training.

Free and open source software
One of the most user friendly and widely adopted FOSS packages, available for free
Light weight and cross platform
Light on processing resources, runs on Windows, Macs, or Linux
Not as complete as ArcGIS
Lacks some of the tools and applications found in ArcGIS, but couple QGIS with other software and libraries to gain additional capabilities

ArcGIS

Visit ESRI for more information about ArcGIS, download the basic ArcGIS Explorer software for free, find out about the low-priced ArcGIS for Personal Use.

The dominant proprietary software in the GIS market
Widely used in both the public and private sectors
Well established
Long history, lots of tutorials, books, and other information
Powerful with many features
Extensive tools for geoprocessing, analysis, and cartography
Resource intensive and OS specific
Only runs on Microsoft Windows and requires significant processing power and memory
Expensive
Not intended for personal use; annual process for updating subscription, access via a subscription at an institution where you're affiliated or purchase the limited Home Edition

Geospatial Data Librarian

Charles Terng

Email Me

Subjects: Computer Information Systems, Demography

Books for Learning GIS Software

Learning QGIS - Third Edition
Call Number: G70.212 .G73 2016
PostGIS in Action
Call Number: G70.212 .O23 2015
Getting to Know ArcGIS for Desktop
Call Number: G70.212 .G489 2013