Open Source/Non-Commercial GIS Products
I’m a big fan of open source software, including geospatial software, such as QGIS and GeoServer, and it’s not just because it can be used without paying a license fee. The best thing about open source is the community of users that share their code and support one another through shared applications, documentation, tips, and tricks. This is the same spirit that exists in the Pitney Bowes user community (Li360), ESRI’s GeoNET, and the countless other software communities of practice.
The question is, which GIS software is the best choice for an organization?
If you ask commercial vendors, they’ll explain that their paid-for solutions offer a higher level of reliability and quality. However, most QGIS users and consultants will say that their solutions are free, making them more attractive to the cash-strapped user. In fact, some QGIS users talk about open source software as if it’s air — a gift to the GIS community from selfless developers committed to the greater good. Let’s consider this more closely.
Additional Resource: Open Source or Commercial GIS, or both?