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Note from ESRI for all you window users out there…..

Published on May 17, 2013, by in ArcGIS Desktop, ESRI, Microsoft.

So the headline was a partial joke.

You don’t get emails quite like this everyday – I seem to remember more from my Windows NT/XP days – but I’m also getting old. Anyway this came through the inbox and it’s noteworthy.

From ESRI:

Critical Information Regarding Microsoft Update and ArcGIS

A recent Microsoft update (deployed as KB 2732673, KB 2775511, or KB 2824408) may result in data corruption when using ArcGIS on a Windows 7 system and writing data to remote data storage on a Windows Vista, 7, 2008/2008 R2, or 2012 system. This data corruption appears as truncation of a write request and has shown up in file geodatabases and shapefiles.

Microsoft has acknowledged the problem, identified the affected component as RDBSS.sys, and provided
further details.

Esri and Microsoft are working closely to understand what has changed in the RDBSS.sys component and
how to resolve the problem.

Microsoft recommends not installing the above-referenced updates.

How Microsoft Made These Updates Available

KB 2732673 and KB 2824408 are hotfixes to address specific issues. The KB 2775511 update is a cumulative update that is available exclusively at http://catalog.update.microsoft.com. Because it is available only through the Windows update catalog, the KB 2775511 update is not considered a security update by Microsoft and is not being deployed broadly.

What You Need to Do

  • If you have not yet installed the patches listed above, do not install them, per Microsoft’s recommendation.
  • If you have installed the patches listed above, Microsoft recommends uninstalling them until a solution
    is found.

 

See Esri Knowledge Base article 41119 for further information and updates.

See Microsoft Knowledge Base articles for more information on Microsoft updates:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2732673
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2775511
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2824408

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Community, muffins and one kinky little snake

Published on May 13, 2013, by in Athens, Do Some Good, Rambling, Small Business.

Next to NRGS – Athens, lives a sweet gentleman. I didn’t even ever need to meet him to know that about him. One has only to look at the love he puts into his plants and garden. Yesterday, I noticed something on the side of his house that I’d never seen before. Upon further observation, it was clear that it was a snake of some kind. Because I know how much my neighbor works in his yard, I wanted to make sure this was a variety that would not bring him harm. Time to meet my neighbor!

He opened the door and smiled in the most genuine way that I’ve only witnessed on the odd occasion. I introduced myself. He introduced himself as David. He told me that he has lived in Athens 59 years. My friend on the other side of me had surprised David a couple weeks back with a tray of young seedlings for David’s garden. We talked about his garden and vegetables. He wants to plant okra this year but “it’s no longer as enjoyable when you are growing for only one”. The only moment he revealed even a hint of sadness. I think he might have lost his wife very recently.

Juvenile rat snake....I think. If you know for sure, leave it in the comments.

Juvenile rat snake….I think. If you know for sure, leave it in the comments.

Cranberry Pecan Muffins anyone?

Cranberry Pecan Muffins anyone?

We went to inspect the snake. We both felt pretty certain the little guy was harmless but I wanted to make sure. I snapped a photo then told him I’d let him know what I found out.

Today, I was inspired to make muffins. I bake, but, like David, I don’t find it as enjoyable when I’m baking for only one. I could see David doing his yard work while I mixed my batter. In the last several weeks, I have begun meeting my neighbors and actually interacting with them. I now have more to bake for so I was making a big batch to share. I tested one to make sure they turned out then gathered up a couple to take to David. I found him in his garage, resting. Again, that smile that warms your soul. I told him I looked up his snake and it was likely a juvenile rat snake. I’d paid particular attention to its behavior and the rat snake has a couple unique ones, like climbing up the side of walls and taking on a kinked shape when threatened. He’s a good snake to have. A keeper, for sure. I then handed David the muffins.

“I was just wondering what I would have for lunch. Now I can have these.”

Working from home does have some unexpected perks. This would be a good example of one of those.

By the way, the muffins are Cranberry Pecan. I’ll share the recipe if you ask nicely.

 

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QGIS Class on May 21 at FOSS4GNA

Published on May 7, 2013, by in FOSS4G, Open Source GIS, QGIS.

So the class makes an appearance the day before Foss4GNA – May 21 2013:

This one day class is an introduction to Quantum GIS. Quantum GIS is a user friendly Open Source GIS Package that runs under Linux, Unix, Mac OSX and Windows. It supports multiple raster and vector formats. The software has a wide community base and is adding new functionality with every release. See how this software can compliment an existing GIS installation and save your organization time and money over the life of your GIS program.

QGIS Topics Covered:

  • Installation of QGIS and an Overview of GIS
  • Interface
  • Adding Vector Data
  • Adding Raster Data
  • Plugins
  • Data Attribution
  • Creating Data and editing
  • Map Layouts

There are still seats available – get registered and show up. It will be fun if nothing else.

http://www.mngislis.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=653.  Online registration closed on May 3rd, but there will be registration the day of the workshops.

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One Bad Day

Published on May 5, 2013, by in address, Rambling.

All it takes is one bad day to reduce the sanest man alive to lunacy. That’s how far the world is from where I am. Just one bad day. – the Joker, The Killing Joke.

No – it wasn’t that bad. I was mad though. I got up Monday and everything was rubbing me the wrong way. I had to go do some field reconnaissance for this job so I hopped a ferry to St John. We needed a staging ground for the addressing project. These jobs go better if you can find electricity and Internet access and a central location. We had used a place on St John before, so I stomped up the hill to St Ursula’s church. I hurried to the back door – I had a plan and needed to get in and out. I walked into a bingo game. IMG_20130429_133825

Judy, the director for the multi use center came up to me “Can I help you?”

“Well – I’m with the Lieutenant Governor’s Office and we were wondering if we could use your facility for this addr….”

“Yes” she responded.

“I didn’t finish….the addressing project for the Cruz…” I replied.

“Yes. Do you want some lunch?”

“I’ll buy you lunch for letting us use the facility.” IMG_20130429_134850(2)

She smiled “We have lunches already prepared. Please leave a donation is all we ask. If that’s too much then please just eat”.

The island of St John is a bit deceptive. It’s full of vacationing people. You can walk the streets while drinking. Tourists pile out of the boats in various stages of undress. All are good looking. All are happy. There are others though – those that actually live and work and raise families here.

Judy explained that this center served the residents of St John. The grandparents. The widows. Those who need an outlet. There are at least 6000 permanent people on the island. I was seeing at least 20 of them. They serve lunches to many many more.

IMG_20130502_094315

They provide a place for people. Even a place where people on parole can work off their community service hours if needed. Play bingo. Have devotionals. Talk. Listen to music.

I was taken to the back and shown their old computer room. We were gleefully given that plus Internet access.

One lady was gluing shells to a small star shaped board.

“Can I help?” I asked.

“No. You’ll mess it up” she responded.

The next day I had a small star shaped board waiting on me.

I walked back to her carrying my board “I don’t have time to do this – I’ve got to work….”

She looked back and said “You’ll make time during lunch. I will show you. Just don’t mess it up”.

I suppose I’ll have to glue shells to a board now. That and do complicated GIS type things on a computer.

Not bad at all.

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Square Peg

Published on May 5, 2013, by in Rambling.

“Maaaan – If I was workin’ down there I’d be on the beach every night drinkin’ Rum”.

“Dude – you’re working in Paradise. Nothing  but beautiful women and partying every night”.

When I landed Steve was here. Recently retired from the Federal government and he was going to run a restaurant here in the US virgin Islands. “I’m turning this place around”. A week later he was gone.  I ran into his boss later. “You would be surprised – I can’t keep count of the number of people I’ve brought down here to run the restaurant.” No one stays. They stay a week. Maybe two. Then leave. It’s hard to be here. This place is a difficult place. If you have any addiction problem – it’s amplified here. It’s an island. My friend from college came down to run this place – he’s stranded himself thanks to drugs and alcohol. I can’t fire him – it’s my fault to an extent he’s here.

Next Conversation: “I came down with my husband – that didn’t last long”.

Next: “I came down with my wife. She left.”

At the Hotel on St John: “Yeah – the managers that were training me left for a day trip to Puerto Rico. Two days later we forced our way into their room and it was half cleaned out with a note “We can’t stay here anymore”". It happens more than you think. People leave and just never come back. They left the company car at the airport. At least we had another set of keys.

At another restaurant we catch the owner of the place having a drink: “yeah – I’ve about had enough. I’ve owned three restaurants. Florida’s a lot cheaper. I think 30 years here is enough.”

Another conversation: “I love this place. My girlfriend is coming down and bringing our child. We compromised on when we moved back – she wanted to wait later and I wanted to not wait this long. Scuba diving. Snorkeling. Sun. I can’t imagine being anywhere else. This place is paradise”

IMG_20130325_180245

 

 

 

 

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May 2013 Georgia URISA Luncheon

Published on April 28, 2013, by in GA URISA, Georgia, Training, URISA.

Join us for a seminar on Datum & Mapping Projections in Georgia. Presented by Mr. Lonnie Sears, LS and proudly hosted by Gwinnett County Government.

Presentation Description -  Datum & Mapping Projections in Georgia

The National Geodetic Survey (NGS) through NOAA publishes datum information and map projection information for use in the USA and in various other countries around the world. In this seminar I will give a history of commonly used datum in the past and explain the current horizontal and vertical datum used by the NGS and all federal agencies. These are Horizontal – NAD83(2011), and Vertical – NAVD88 (geoid2012A) Many references will be given directly from the NGS web site www.ngs.noaa.gov where the National Spatial Reference System is fully described and facilitated. Questions and class participation will be greatly encouraged as we talk through this confusing topic.

Presenter: Lonnie Sears, LS

Lonnie Sears has over 27 years of Geodetic Surveying experience. Mr. Sears has performed GPS Control Surveys in six Southeastern states and integrated DGPS, RTK and Static Survey methods into daily surveying tasks.  His background was devoted to developing GPS Surveying techniques for GIS inventory projects, DOT projects, private land development projects, Large Boundary Surveys, ALTA/ACSM Surveys and Topographic Surveys. He is currently licensed in Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, Florida, Mississippi and Tennessee. Mr. Sears is an owner and President of eGPS Solutions and is an owner of Champion Instruments who manufactures and integrates GNSS equipment for Land Surveyors. Mr. Sears is married with 3 children and lives in Dacula, Georgia. He is a graduate of West Virginia University Institute of Technology with a degree in Civil/Survey Technology.

May 14th, 2013 11:30 AM   through   1:30 PM
75 Langley Dr
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
United States
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Path to GISP – Saving data into the PDF application form

Published on April 19, 2013, by in GA URISA, Georgia, GISP.

This past weekend, I joined others at a Georgia URISA workshop lead by one of our friends at eGIS Associates, Tripp Corbin, addressing the GISP application process for first-timers (like myself!) and those preparing for renewal. For those considering applying for the GISP, this can be a rather overwhelming experience to say the least. Not because it is overly difficult, more so because of the time needed to gather all the documents together to support the points needed in each category – Educational Achievements, Professional Experience, and Contributions to the Profession. Surprisingly, Professional Experience is truly the most confusing to enter into the application as well as to justify. Tripp did an excellent job clarifying the requirements and pointing out pitfalls!

I was revving to go once I got home that night. The first stop was the GIS Certification Institute website (GISCI) to get the application materials. They have two ways to apply, Old Skool ink and paper or Slightly-more-modern PDF form. “Oh! They have a PDF form!! Easy!”….or so you tell yourself until you open it, start filling in the information, and then suddenly realize….you can’t save it (??!). For many of us busy professionals, this can be a deal breaker leading to prolonged procrastination. That night, I was done procrastinating so it was time to find a solution. After a quick search, I came across a post about the PDF-Xchange Viewer. The free version allows you to view PDF forms AND SAVE DATA INTO THEM! Here’s a screenshot of their about info that explains it all:

aboutpdfxchange

They have several other products for purchase that include more features and seem reasonably priced. Here’s the comparison chart with prices listed if you are interested: http://www.tracker-software.com/pdf-xchange-products-comparison-chart

Happy PDFing!

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Seaplane

Published on April 5, 2013, by in Rambling.

I get motion sickness. I never know when it’s going to hit. Last week I was in a car and got sick. Monday I was on a ferry with 5 foot swells and thought that was the most fun I’ve had in a while.

Today was Seaplane day. One trip over to another island and there I sat in the “boarding” tent wondering if I was going to lose it. So far the 2 trips back and forth haven’t been bad. So I sit and stare at my nemesis and wonder.

IMG_20130405_100827

They lady next to me was fidgeting in her seat. She looks over and smiles so I decided to start the social interaction.

How are you?
Ya  Ya I am goode…and you?
I’m just fine. Just wanting to get up and away and back down again.
Do you live here…here on St Tomas?
No No – I’ll be here for a bit – I’m staying on Crystal Gade. I’m from the mainland – the US – Tennessee. I take it you are visiting the islands?
Ya Ya Ya- I always ask people how it is to live here.
So you are from Denmark?

So for those of you that don’t know and I’m not even going to pretend to be enlightened at this point – the US Virgin Islands were owned by Denmark until the early 1900′s. So you have Danish tourists all over the place.

Ya Ya We come here and love it. These islands were owned by Denmark. We did so many good things here.
So you had family here?
Everyone in Denmark is from the Virgin Islands. We all come back. We love it here. We did so many goode tings…slavery not being one but so many things we did here. We visit cemeteries and go snorkeling. So much history. We are all from here.
Where are you staying? On st Croix? St Thomas?
St Croix. We came to St John to go snorkeling. It was beautiful.
How long are you here?
A fortnight. We stay for a fortnight and we go home. You should go snorkeling in St John.
I will try my best.

Her husband remained oblivious to our conversation. He had the same stare I had towards the plane. We board and they both shove cotton into their ears. Your ears pop at least once – maybe twice on the flight.

IMG_20130405_101336

I have to remind myself every morning I get up we’re on American soil. All I knew about this place two months ago is they have bad street addresses and lots of sun and beaches. They also have the original owners, I think, regretting the sale just a bit. I don’t think the current owners understand the thing they possess.

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Carry my Bag…please

Published on April 3, 2013, by in GIS, GISP, Linux, Rambling, Small Business.

So I had one at one time. Oh those crazy geology days where I figured if I had at least one clean pair of socks, a swiss army knife, and three MREs I could conquer the world. That was all I needed…well and a blanket..and the remote control…and the paddle ball game….and this lamp.

Anyway – I’m travelling and a GIS person. I’ve had this day long internal argument about what I need to “survive” as a GIS person. If someone screams “go” what do I need to have with me. So I made a list – and I share the list with you of what I should have (in bold) and what I do have (in italics).

Bug Out bag for the GIS Professional or at least a Randy Hale

  • Laptop – A decent laptop. I have several but my favorite for size is the HP Pavilion G. 4 GB of RAM and about an 350GB hard drive. 3 USB, 1 HDMI, and 1 SD slot. Battery life is a pain at just over two and a half hours if I’m not doing anything. 
  • Operating system – xubuntu 12.10 and Windows 7. I’ve got two operating systems on the laptop. Why? Linux is stable enough to run as my operating system and I don’t need to worry about viruses. Windows 7 in a virtual machine because it is a windows world out there and if I need it I don’t have to look for it. 
  • USB Flash Drives  - I’ve got 4 ranging from 2 gb to 16 gb. 
  • USB Hard drive – 1 terabyte seagate drive that runs off the USB port. 
  • 1 mini USB cable 
  • 1 recreation grade GPS
  • Batteries for GPS
  • 1 regular USB Cable
  • 10 feet of Cat 5 Cable
  • Twisted Cat 5 cable – great for networking two computers together. 
  • QGIS/FOSS4G – No licensing and if you know what you are doing you can get things done. Most importantly – no licensing. So if something bombs you don’t have to request a license file and you aren’t waiting on someone. Did I mention licensing? 
  • Power Strip/Something that will allow multiple cords to be plugged into it. Right now I’ve got a 5 plugin power strip shoved in my bag. I need one of these . Go to an airport and look for a plugin. Better yet stay in a 100 year old building and look for a convenient power outlet. 
  • Extension cord – See above. 
  • ArcGIS – I’m torn about this one. I have lived an ArcGIS free life for the last three weeks. Today I received my first File Based geodatabase. I’m compiling support for FGDB into gdal tonight.  Plus you have to deal with licensing if something happens. 
  • FME  - I’ve been debating purchasing FME for a while. I see the need more and more this week. I’m not sure how it’s licensed – that could be a problem.
  • Comfortable bag to carry all this stuff in. Right now I have a messenger style bag I bought on sale. I need a backpack of some sort with lots of compartments and places to stick things. 
  • Power Inverter – to charge electronic equipment in the field (from a car) or Solar!
  • Compass – I walked out and forgot it.
  • Paper Maps small enough for a notebook.
  • 1 Sharpie Marker
  • Ink pens

Is this enough? I have no clue. When I got here I made a run to the local K-Mart for things. That made me wonder what I would have done with no shopping area. I have almost everything I need as of right now to work – except ESRI software….but that was a choice. I should be competent enough to live without it. If I need it I can remote back into the office and run ArcGIS.

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OSM US Scholarships

Published on April 2, 2013, by in Open Source GIS, Open Street Map.
From the email bag,
We’re now accepting scholarship applications to State of the Map US in San Francisco. These scholarships are for people doing interesting work with OpenStreetMap but who cannot attend the conference due to budgetary reasons. Scholarships will include free conference admission and up to $500 toward travel costs. More information on the scholarship program is up on the OpenStreetMap US blog.
 
You can apply for a scholarship by filling out a short questionnaire. The deadline for submissions is April 21.
 
Know someone who should get a scholarship? We’re asking for recommendations of great candidates.
 
Find more information on scholarships and how to apply on the State of the Map US web site. Please pass this on to anyone who should know about it!
 
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