The main thing to remember, with regard to any desktop GIS system, is that if you get the basic set up correct in the first place, you will save a lot of hassle later on. By this, I mean you need to sit down and evaluate what you want to achieve from use of the GIS before attempting to create your project.

As the three major systems, ArcGIS, MapInfo and QGIS, place certain constraints on how you input, display and print data it is important to understand what is feasible and what is not. Remember that you are usually creating a series of layers on top of the base map which contains the foundational information  of the project. 

ps services are offering  introductory Quantum GIS training courses in Oxford in September, October and in London in October and November 2013. These open source GIS training courses will cover all the main features and functionality of QGIS which is a powerful and fully functioning GIS desktop software solution.

One day courses are taking place in Oxford in September and October. Two day courses, which are taking place in London in October and November, will have more time to cover the software in greater depth than the one day Oxford courses.

Both courses also offer 30 day email support to ensure that those attending can build on the training days and effectively use the software to meet their objectives.