Various gis setup tips on Windows

GDAL_with_python

Install Python (Anaconda is easiest)

As explained here: https://pythongisandstuff.wordpress.com/2016/04/13/installing-gdal-ogr-for-python-on-windows/, 
download the compiled GDAL from here: http://www.lfd.uci.edu/~gohlke/pythonlibs/#gdal

Then:
$ pip install GDAL-blah-blah.whl

If fiona (https://github.com/Toblerity/Fiona) is required, download it from http://www.lfd.uci.edu/~gohlke/pythonlibs/#fiona and install it the same way.

Set a User Environment Variable: GDAL_DATA=C:\Users\ateucher\AppData\Local\Continuum\Anaconda\Lib\site-packages\osgeo\data\gdal

Make sure the path to GDAL is on your PATH (eg C:\Users\ateucher\AppData\Local\Continuum\Anaconda\Lib\site-packages\osgeo)

To use the FileGDB driver from ESRI:
(http://gis.stackexchange.com/questions/193288/how-to-add-support-for-filegdb-esri-file-gdb-api-driver-in-fiona)

Download the File Geodatabase API for Windows  from the Esri downloads page: 
http://appsforms.esri.com/products/download/index.cfm#File_Geodatabase_API_1.3. 

If you have Python 2.7 get the 1.3 version [File Geodatabase API 1.3 version for Windows (Visual Studio 2008)]. 
For Python 3.x the most recent 1.4 version should work

Open the zip and copy bin64/FileGDBAPI.dll to C:\Users\ateucher\AppData\Local\Continuum\Anaconda\Lib\site-packages\osgeo.

Make sure that ogr_FileGDB.dll is in the gdalplugins folder. This folder is the folder that must be set in the GDAL_DRIVER_PATH environment variable (next step)

Set an Environment Variable: GDAL_DRIVER_PATH=C:\Users\ateucher\AppData\Local\Continuum\Anaconda\Lib\site-packages\osgeo\gdalplugins

test with:

$ ogrinfo --formats

FileGDB -vector- (rw+): ESRI FileGDB
OpenFileGDB -vector- (rov): ESRI FileGDB

should both be there

make_postgis_db

Make sure path to postgreSQL is on your path: (eg C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\9.6\bin)

# in a windows cmd window
cmd /c chcp 1252 # http://stackoverflow.com/questions/19162055/psql-shell-uses-code-page-850-windows-uses-1252-how-to-solve-change-console-co

psql -U postgis # enter password at promt

# to create a new postgis database: https://gis.stackexchange.com/questions/71130/how-to-create-a-new-gis-database-in-postgis#_=_
CREATE DATABASE postgis;
\connect postgis;
CREATE EXTENSION postgis;

# to create a new postgis db from a previously made template:

DROP DATABASE postgis; # if it exists
CREATE DATABASE postgis TEMPLATE postgis_template;

\q # Quit postgres