Why I quit Esri (and how you can too)

One of the top questions I get on this channel is why I don't talk about Esri - and this video has that answer, and how you can transition to modern GIS and geospatial technologies using the same path.

0:00 French kitchens and modern GIS
2:40 The new world phase
4:40 The re-wiring phase
6:45 The modern GIS phase

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[sohannag]

Hi Matt, it's a some time that I have commented in your videos. The thing that caught my eye is that quitting ESRI all together. Well, I will share my opinion with you. In my master's of Geology we were taught the Remote Sensing and GIS course primarily in QGIS, in the very beginning, but the modular form of the QGIS is something students aren't quite getting into so they shifted towards ArcGIS. The pros as using ArcGIS is it is very Microsft 365 like. You have structured UI which you can easily understand and I guess it's easy to use. But that makes you so wired that you forget sometimes that how the things actually working, which you easily learn in the QGIS. In my thesis, I have used Planet's data to process, extensively used ArcGIS, and I came to understand that if you're missing the basics of how the things actually work you are doomed especially in the research field. You have to have your fair share of experiences in modular tools like QGIS, or going purely programming to do what you intend to do.
I do understand the motion of using ArcGIS. Yes, they are the Adobe of the Geospatial world with all the bells and whistles and it's pretty, but if you really want to learn and have a deeper understanding of the things, then one should go for Open Source.
So, as of now, though getting certifications from ArcGIS I believe is a way to convey your understanding about various geospatial skills, but I believe that your true understanding will rely on how much depth you hold through the Open Source.
I guess I have conveyed my opinion correctly.

[Samuftie]

The biggest point is that ESRI has an integration between ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online AGOL. You pay money for the Feature services and the ability to publish maps online.

With QGIS, you must set up the infrastructure yourself with cloud (PostGIS, networking, etc.), which is cumbersome; also, creating your own HTML map. You do save money.

Unless you are spending for ESRI Enterprise or AGOL, I don't think it is worth it.

[josephclark]

I think this is fine if you are a freelancer, own your won business or just want to expand your GIS knowledge. I think ESRI works a little more seamlessly in the corporate sector when you have to roll out "homogenous" solutions across a team in multiple locations. Bare in mind that the corporation itself covers all the costs. But I love getting out of the ESRI ecosystem. Great video.

[explorethebeautyofnature]

Most roles I have come across require proficiency in ESRI tools. I believe it is helpful to learn both proprietary and open-source tools

[mariahdez]

Great video, thanks. It's great to know another options in GIS. In latinamerica it's not easy that small countries has enough resources for pay ESRI License.

[Georgy_]

14 years of qgis and arc .... qgis is the workhorse and arc is for pretty maps ... arc without q is not feasible.
qgis has it twerks but once u over come them it's a beast but everything is manual where esri make it too easy for you.
always learn new way to do one thing until u find the most efficient way to
i hand data between multiple entities
qgis with google drive and user profiles and geopackges and styles saved in them saved my life many times i can hop form one project to another and each one has it owns plugins and tools
once i'm done i make pretty maps in arc 😂

[patrickmckinney]

I remember trying to use QGIS in 2008. Gave up, but when I came back around 2019 it was much easier to use.

Also, some of us work with large institutions (state government) that do not allow open source. So we won't be quitting Esri anytime soon.

[felipelimeira]

My question is, could using only paid software be limiting your career? I stopped using it myself because I didn't have the money to buy a license. I know that there are many vacancies that require knowledge, but I don't like putting my money into just one software.

[tahayagoub]

I use to use open source for my graduate thieses which it takes me to spend alot of time for the works that takes few minutes with esri software

[ttyjgyw]

Great if you can't afford the ESRI software but most large companies with IT departments that i have worked with will not allow open source applications in their architecture

[aromaticsnail]

The right tool for the right job! A GIS expert shouldn't be dogmatic or tribal. Open-source isn't free. I've seen many managers going open-source (e.g QGIS) because it's free (to download and install) and ignore all other costs. On the other hand, maybe your project's GIS needs don't require a wall garden license costing thousands of dollars from Esri or others that market themselves as anti-Esri but just want to be Esri 2.0.

[samadnasar]

if the sole purpose of using GIS software, is the creation of custom maps for presentation and explaination in video, which one will be more suitable (more easier and rich in feature for represention with some animation of map), ArcGIS or QGIS?

[denyskovshun]

Haven't encountered Esri in the last 5 years except in the government and non-profit sector.🤔

[Azi]

Hey Matt, interesting case. Your title struck a cord and made me wonder how other software stack up. I'm a bit of lay-person here regarding the exact intricacies of working with GIS software, but what other paid software would you suggest that isn't open source? Or would you say there is no comparison on that field?

[umepojke]

Hi Matt, can you make a video on how to use Docker, gdals, and SQL? I've been trying to figure it out from your book but I think you may have hopped over some explanations.

[bc]

Wild guess - it's overcomplicated, outdated, overpriced, and predatory?

[marcgalle]

Great stuff a billion $ company and ESRI fall short on far too many things

[kavyajeetbora]

Is ESRI's future doomed according to you ?

[fernandinand]

The question is...to be or not to be...lazy! 😅