Welcome to the GIS Resource Guide! This guide will provide you with several resources to find GIS data, software, materials, and more information.
What is GIS?
"A geographic information system (GIS) is a system that creates, manages, analyzes, and maps all types of data. GIS connects data to a map, integrating location data (where things are) with all types of descriptive information (what things are like there). This provides a foundation for mapping and analysis that is used in science and almost every industry. GIS helps users understand patterns, relationships, and geographic context. The benefits include improved communication and efficiency as well as better management and decision making.." - Esri
GIS has interdisciplinary applications, and can be used in (among other areas):
University Subscribed
ArcGIS
If you are affiliated with University of Maine, you can download ArcGIS. For more information, see the Information Technology Software page.
For news about ArcGIS and real life appications of GIS, see ArcNews.
MapInfo
MapInfo can be found in select department's computer labs.
GlobalMapper
GlobalMapper can be found in select department's computer labs.
Open Source
DIVA-GIS
DIVA-GIS is a free geographic information system (GIS) program. Available for PC and Mac.
Forestry GIS (fGIS™)
Forestry GIS is an open-access GIS program for windows, designed for the non-GIS specialist.
FRAGSTATS
FRAGSTATS is a computer software program designed to compute a wide variety of landscape metrics for categorical map patterns.
Geospatial Modeling Environment
GME is an open-source platform designed to help to facilitate rigorous spatial analysis and modeling.
MapWindow
MapWindow is a free and open source desktop geographic information system (GIS).
QGIS
QGIS is a free and open source Geographic Information System (GIS) licensed under Creative Commons. Available on Windows, MacOS X, Linux, and Android. This software is also available on the computers in the Information Commons of Fogler Library.
