[R-sig-Geo] newbie questions

[Paul Hiemstra]

Raphael Saldanha wrote:
> Hi Tom!
>
> I'm a geographer and R enthusiast too, but what I can say is: R is a great
> software to statistics. The final production of maps, although it's
> possible, it's simple and faster made with GIS softwares, like GRASS,
> Quantum GIS or ArcGIS.
>   
Hi,

As you already stated, making the maps in R is quite possible. I make 
all my geographic illustrations for my publications in R. The advantage 
that I don't have do something first in Excel or ArcGIS and then 
something in R and ending in yet another tool. I like the fact that my 
whole workflow is in one versatile tool, R. So for me learning to make 
maps in R payed off. In addition, you can make awesome maps, especially 
of mulitvariate spatial data, in R. In addition, I use linux (Debian) 
and the desktop GIS tools that I tried (svSig, Qgis, and some more) did 
not provide publication quality maps. ArcMap does, but this is not 
available under Linux. If you use Windows this is not a problem 
ofcourse. See the link below for an animation I made using R (and some 
other linux tools):

http://intamap.geo.uu.nl/~paul/Images/animation_25fps.mpg

All of the above is purely my opinion :).

cheers and good luck,
Paul
> My tip is: organize data with spreadsheet and GIS softwares, import (as
> shapefile, if possible) in R and make your statistical analysis and
> statistical columns of data, export to another shapefile and manipulate the
> final map in GIS softwares.
>
> I repeat, it's possible make all these steps in R, and generate great maps,
> but the most simple way is above. Personally, I use R to make the final maps
> only when I have to produce a long series of simple maps.
>
> I think the best way is the integration of GIS software with R, each one
> with his specialty.
>
>
> King regards,
>
> Raphael Saldanha
> BRAZIL
> saldanha.plangeo at gmail.com
>
> 	[[alternative HTML version deleted]]
>
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>   


-- 
Drs. Paul Hiemstra
Department of Physical Geography
Faculty of Geosciences
University of Utrecht
Heidelberglaan 2
P.O. Box 80.115
3508 TC Utrecht
Phone:  +3130 274 3113 Mon-Tue
Phone:  +3130 253 5773 Wed-Fri
http://intamap.geo.uu.nl/~paul