Learn GIS: From Basics to Modern Geospatial Skills - ArcGIS Is Holding You Back — Meet QGIS

📊 FREE: The Modern GIS Skill Map The 5 skills that actually matter in modern GIS (and what you can stop learning). Based on a survey of 1,400+ geospatial professionals. ➡ Get the free training + PDF guide: https://forrest.nyc/go/training/ Want to break free from expensive GIS software and start mapping for free? In this video, we dive deep into QGIS — the open-source desktop GIS platform that’s powering the next generation of geospatial work. Whether you’re a beginner making your first map or an experienced GIS professional exploring modern, cloud-connected workflows, this guide shows you everything you need to know about QGIS: ✅ What QGIS is and why it matters ✅ How it compares to ArcGIS and other proprietary tools ✅ Core features — visualization, editing, spatial analysis ✅ Powerful plugin ecosystem and integrations (PostGIS, DuckDB, cloud storage, modern file formats) ✅ When to use QGIS (and when it’s not the right tool) ✅ Tips for personal projects, small teams, and enterprise use ✅ How to get started quickly and keep learning You’ll see how QGIS acts as the bridge between traditional desktop GIS and modern, cloud-native geospatial data workflows. We’ll cover best practices, common pitfalls, and where QGIS fits alongside Python, SQL, and big-data tools like Apache Sedona. 0:00 Intro to QGIS 0:34 What is QGIS 1:52 What can QGIS do? 2:12 ArcGIS vs. QGIS 4:12 Why should you care about QGIS? 7:21 Do you need to use QGIS? 10:29 How do you use QGIS? 12:21 Common pitfalls with QGIS 14:50 When not to use QGIS? 17:28 Where can I learn about QGIS? CONNECT WITH ME 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matt_forrest/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mbforr/ 📧 Newsletter: https://forrest.nyc 🌐 Website: https://forrest.nyc