[R-sig-Geo] Getting started with RGeo

[John Callahan]

I am just getting started using R for spatial analysis.  I am long-time 
user of basic statistics through ESRI products, some SPSS, and a few 
other code snippets here and there.  However, I love what I see in R so 
far.  And there's a growing attraction to R in my organization, for geo 
and non-geo purposes.  I'm also looking into using R through some of the 
GIS software I'm more familiar with, like Quantum GIS, GRASS, and SAGA. 


I just downloaded R 2.7.2 and getting the basics going there.  For 
spatial analysis, which packages do I start with?  Looking through the 
list at http://lib.stat.cmu.edu/R/CRAN/ and reading 
http://www.sal.uiuc.edu/tools/tools-sum/rgeo/r-spatial-projects, there 
are so many.  And my gut feeling tells me that some functions in these 
packages are duplicated in others.  Maybe some packages are obsolete now 
with support pushed toward a newer, richer package. 


The analysis I'll be doing are relatively common techniques. Things 
like: interpolations/kriging, contour and DEM creation from points, 
hillshade/aspect creation, spatial autocorrelation, regression, PCA, 
cluster/hot-spot analysis, plotting/mapping, and basic grid algebra as 
well.  I'm sure I'll get into more as I work through.  Which packages do 
you recommend I start with?


- John

****************************************
John Callahan
Geospatial Application Developer

Delaware Geological Survey
University of Delaware
227 Academy St, Newark DE 19716-7501
Tel: (302) 831-3584  

Email: john.callahan at udel.edu
http://www.dgs.udel.edu