Install QGIS on Ubuntu 14.04

Feb 17, 2015

Open Oakland QGIS Ubuntu 14.04 gis

warning

This post is more than 5 years old. While math doesn't age, code and operating systems do. Please use the code/ideas with caution and expect some issues due to the age of the content. I am keeping these posts up for archival purposes because I still find them useful for reference, even when they are out of date!

In this post I will cover my install process for QGIS on Ubuntu 14.04. QGIS is a tool for creating maps and working with geospatial information. The official QGIS installation instructions provides three different ways to install the software. I'll be using the UbuntuGIS ppa to get access to more recent versions of the relevant GIS software, including QGIS.

The unstable ppa seems to be the one to use (I tried the stable ppa, which does not seem to work; at least for Ubuntu 14.04). Before starting, note that this process downloads about 90MB of software so a decent connection is suggested. The install goes as follows: 

$ sudo apt-get install python-software-properties
$ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntugis/ubuntugis-unstable
$ sudo apt-get update
$ sudo apt-get install qgis python-qgis qgis-plugin-grass

This installed without issues for me. To get to the QGIS desktop:

  • Hit the Super Key (aka the Windows Key) or click on the top button on the launcher and search for QGIS.
  • The QGIS desktop icon should come up-- click the icon and QGIS should start.
  • When the program is running its icon will display on the launcher. If you want the icon to be available on the launcher at all times, right-click on the icon, then select Lock to launcher and you're good to go.

That's all for now. As always, leave questions and comments below.

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