GIS Newbie: Open Source Software?

Hi everyone,

I need some help on this Friday afternoon here in the UK.

I've got some work to do relating to spatially mapping datasets. I
won't go into what is rather a long story needless to say I can't get
it done at work since I don't have ArcGIS installed on my PC so I'm
looking for some relatively easy to use GIS Open Source software that
I can load onto my home (Windows based) PC and work from there.

I'm very new to GIS so something straightforward to get me started
would help immensley.

The basic idea is that I have some datasets in Excel that I want to
spatially map. I want to work to postcode or electoral ward level that
will allow me to show the data graphically rather than in tabular
format.

Happy to have a play around when I find the right software.

Thought it'd be easy to get the software but wasn't sure how I
incorporate postcode or electoral ward maps into this.

Any advice on where to start much appreciated!!


Thanks,


Mark

On Apr 27, 5:40 pm, "markgolle...@googlemail.com"

Mark,

You might want to have a look at MapMaker software - http://www.mapmaker.com/ .
You can download a free version which I think should enable you to map
data from Excel. I've not used it that much so I can't be certain
though!

Also, check out this lik for free/open source GIS software
http://opensourcegis.org/

HTH

Greg.

Try GIS Explorer http://gis.bmtcordah.pl

Export your Excel data to TXT and open with Add ASCII Layers...

Regards.
Krzysztof Binias

http://www.mapwindow.com/

Duane

On Apr 27, 9:40 pm, "markgolle...@googlemail.com"

Quantum GIS with GRASS is the best and most comprehensive alternate to
ArcGIS. For simple mapping requirement like yours, Mapwindow GIS is
probably the best solution.

Check this PPT for more details:
http://gisindia.blogspot.com/2007/03/free-and-open-source-gis-software.html

-Ujaval
http://gisindia.blogspot.com