Hello, I would like to know more about your project. I have a MS in GIS from the University of Redlands and trained at ESRI's headquarters in Redlands, CA. I use ArcGIS 10.2. I know you asked for Quantum and QGIS, but I have always used ArcGIS and never gone the open source route. I have extensive experience mapping habitat, infrastructure, and agriculture. I have created custom algorithms and tools for analysis spatial analysis using multispectral imagery. I also have my own plane and quadcopter drones to capture custom aerial ortho and infrared imagery.
If you let me know what your project entails, I could provide more info on how I could best support you.