GIS Blog
Practical, technically honest writing on GIS file formats, conversions, coordinate systems, and the open-source mapping stack. Every article is hand-written from working GIS practice.
Where to Get Free Geospatial Data: 10 Sources Every GIS User Should Know
Ten free, well-maintained sources for vector, raster, and tabular geospatial data. Every entry with format, download path, and the kind of project it fits.
How to Validate GIS Files Before Importing into QGIS
Most QGIS import failures have nothing to do with QGIS. They're caused by malformed GIS files that you can catch in 30 seconds with the right validation step.
ogr2ogr Cheat Sheet: The 20 Commands Every GIS User Needs
Ninety percent of practical GIS data work is reachable with twenty ogr2ogr incantations. Here they are, with the flags explained.
WGS84 vs UTM vs Web Mercator: CRS Explained for GIS Beginners
The earth is a lumpy ellipsoid; maps are flat. Coordinate reference systems mediate that mismatch. Here's the primer for the three you'll meet most.
Top 10 Free GIS Tools for Beginners in 2025
There's never been a better time to learn GIS without spending a cent on software. Here are the ten free tools that cover the entire workflow — from data wrangling to publishing maps on the web.
WGS84 vs UTM vs Web Mercator: CRS Explained for GIS Beginners
The earth is a lumpy ellipsoid and maps are flat. Coordinate reference systems negotiate that mismatch — here's how the three you'll meet most often work.