Python for GIS on a thumb-drive

Question

I'm looking at putting together a light Python install on a thumb drive that I can take to client offices and do some basic GIS processing. I'm thinking of installing the following:

• PyScripter
• Python 2.6/2.7
• Numpy
• Scipy
• GDAL/OGR with the Python bindings
• GRASS, likewise with the Pythong bindings
• QGIS

Does anyone have any suggestions of any libraries / software that might be a useful addition? Typically I'll be working with raster datasets, but any and all suggestions would be appreciated.

(I'll cw the question if people think that its appropriate).

Answer 1

Portable Python http://www.portablepython.com/

Interesting project you have will it be available to the GIS community?

Maybe of interest Portable GIS http://www.archaeogeek.com/blog/portable-gis/

Answer 2

• Shapely for quick geometry work
• xlrd because spreadsheets are ubiquitous

Answer 3

NetworkX (<= 1MB) if you do any shortest-path processing.

Answer 4

You could start with the OSGeo disc and add anything that you think might be missing. You can do a lot with what's already on there.

Answer 5

I would certainly advice SAGA GIS as a portable tool for doing GIS analysis. There is a python interface also - though quite a lot of things can be done using the modules present. http://www.saga-gis.org

Answer 6

BTW, there is already slaxGIS: http://geomatica.como.polimi.it/software/slaxGIS/index.php

It comes with GRASS 6.4.0, MapServer 5.6.5, OpenLayers 2.10, uDig 1.2.0, OpenJUMP 1.3.1, Zoo WPS 1.0.0, PostgreSQL 8.4.4, PostGIS 1.5.2, and libraries such as Proj, GDAL/OGR etc.

Maybe it is easier to either customize that or to ask the authors to include new packages in case some space is left.