QGIS on a UMPC
This week I took a look at Quantum GIS (QGIS) on a UMPC. QGIS is an open source mapping application that is free to use. First I installed QGIS version 0.7.3 on a Samsung Q1 without any problems. Then I setup a test map that consisted of some vector data that is freely available from the Michigan Center for Geographic Information.
The program launched successfully and ran as smooth as it does on a desktop environment. Some of the menus were extending off the screen so while setting up the map, I increased the Q1’s resolution to 800 by 600.
Navigating the map works well with the stylus - maybe even more intuitive than using a mouse.
In general, QGIS offers some beneficial features. Users can bookmark locations of interest, select features onscreen, and view attribute tables of all the layers. But by far the best feature is the ability to create and edit datasets. Shapefiles can be created, attributes can be added, and points, lines, or polygons can be digitized right on the map.
In short, QGIS on a Q1 is a great solution. The mobility of the Q1 combined with the ever-expanding functionality of QGIS makes this combination a viable option for many mobile applications. It may lack some of the depth and polish of an ESRI application, but any shortcomings are offset by the editing capabilities and new features being added with every version.
