Are you a new GIS user or do you just want to know more about it?
Section of drone imagery with GPS mapping of woodrat burrows from the Bernard Field Station project.
There are several options for getting started with GIS. At the library and other campus GIS labs, you are likely to find the Esri ArcGIS tools to be the best supported. But open source options (such as QGIS) also exist.
ArcMap (Desktop)* |
ArcGIS Online |
ArcGIS Pro* |
QGIS |
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What is it? |
The original Esri platform for GIS and still widely in use. It runs on a Windows operating system and is good for most GIS analysis. |
Online Esri GIS product with fewer features than the other tools but good for most beginners. (It runs through your browser and works on any operating system.) An ArcGIS Online account will also allow you to access Esri StoryMaps. |
Newest Esri product and offers nearly all the features of the desktop version as well as several useful extensions including Community Analyst. It requires a Windows operating system with Internet Explorer and an ArcGIS Online account. |
Free and open source GIS product. Fewer features than the (subscription) Esri tools, but still very useful. |
How do I get it? |
At campus labs or request an account and license key through the library for your own computer. |
Access through Claremont Colleges Library GIS Portal. |
1. Access ArcGIS Online through Claremont Colleges Library GIS Portal. 2. Download software from library (email us for help). |