Been a while…

It has been quite a while since I posted and I am going to try to get back in the habit. There has been many things going on at my job and this has led to several opportunities to try new tools and applications. Over the next couple of days, I will attempt to outline some my thoughts and opinions.

Saving Program Settings

As I have written of previously, here, I use XML files to save program settings.  The types of settings I am saving are:

• Default PMF locations (Directories)
• Field Names

The code to save the settings is:

Private Sub cmdSave_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles cmdSave.Click
‘Program Defaults
objSettings.blnWriteString(“Program”, “DefaultPath”, (txtDefaultPath.Text))
objSettings.blnWriteString(“Program”, “DefaultMap”, (txtDefaultMap.Text))
objSettings.blnWriteBoolean(“Program”, “DefaultLayers”, CStr(chkDefaultLayers.CheckState))

‘Parcel Query Defaults
objSettings.blnWriteString(“ParcelQuery”, “ParcelFile”, (Me.txtParcelFile).Text)
objSettings.blnWriteString(“ParcelQuery”, “ParcelID”, (Me.txtParcelID).Text)
objSettings.blnWriteString(“ParcelQuery”, “OwnerName”, (Me.txtOwner).Text)
objSettings.blnWriteString(“ParcelQuery”, “HouseNumber”, (Me.txtHouseNum).Text)
objSettings.blnWriteString(“ParcelQuery”, “StreetName”, (Me.txtStreetName).Text)
objSettings.blnWriteString(“ParcelQuery”, “Map”, (Me.txtMap).Text)
objSettings.blnWriteString(“ParcelQuery”, “Group”, (Me.txtGroup).Text)
objSettings.blnWriteString(“ParcelQuery”, “Parcel”, (Me.txtParcel).Text)

‘Street Query Defaults
objSettings.blnWriteString(“StreetQuery”, “StreetField”, (Me.txtStreetField).Text)
objSettings.blnWriteString(“StreetQuery”, “StreetID”, (Me.txtStreetID).Text)
objSettings.blnWriteString(“StreetQuery”, “StreetFile”, (Me.txtStreetFile).Text)

‘destroy the class, this causes the class_finalize
‘event which saves the settings to persist in the
‘disk file
objSettings.blnSaveFile()
‘objSettings = Nothing
Call sGetCurvSettings()
Me.Close()
End Sub

The code to load the settings is:

Private Sub ProgramSettings_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
‘Program Defaults
Me.txtDefaultPath.Text = objSettings.strReadString(“Program”, “DefaultPath”, “”)
Me.txtDefaultMap.Text = objSettings.strReadString(“Program”, “DefaultMap”, “”)
chkDefaultLayers.Checked = objSettings.blnReadBoolean(“Program”, “DefaultLayers”, False)

‘Parcel Query Defaults
Me.txtParcelFile.Text = objSettings.strReadString(“ParcelQuery”, “ParcelFile”, “”)
Me.txtParcelID.Text = objSettings.strReadString(“ParcelQuery”, “ParcelID”, “”)
Me.txtOwner.Text = objSettings.strReadString(“ParcelQuery”, “OwnerName”, “”)
Me.txtHouseNum.Text = objSettings.strReadString(“ParcelQuery”, “HouseNumber”, “”)
Me.txtStreetName.Text = objSettings.strReadString(“ParcelQuery”, “StreetName”, “”)
Me.txtMap.Text = objSettings.strReadString(“ParcelQuery”, “Map”, “”)
Me.txtGroup.Text = objSettings.strReadString(“ParcelQuery”, “Group”, “”)
Me.txtParcel.Text = objSettings.strReadString(“ParcelQuery”, “Parcel”, “”)

‘Street Query Defaults
Me.txtStreetFile.Text = objSettings.strReadString(“StreetQuery”, “StreetFile”, “”)
Me.txtStreetID.Text = objSettings.strReadString(“StreetQuery”, “StreetID”, “”)
Me.txtStreetField.Text = objSettings.strReadString(“StreetQuery”, “StreetField”, “”)
End Sub

I also use the following function to save the Program settings as global varials for use throughout the program:

Public Sub sGetCurvSettings()

‘Program Defaults
gtxtDefaultPath = objSettings.strReadString(“Program”, “DefaultPath”, “”)
gtxtDefaultMap = objSettings.strReadString(“Program”, “DefaultMap”, “”)
gysnDefaultLayers = objSettings.blnReadBoolean(“Program”, “DefaultLayers”, False)

‘Parcel Query Defaults
gtxtParcelFile = objSettings.strReadString(“ParcelQuery”, “ParcelFile”, “”)
gtxtParcelID = objSettings.strReadString(“ParcelQuery”, “ParcelID”, “”)
gtxtOwner = objSettings.strReadString(“ParcelQuery”, “OwnerName”, “”)
gtxtHouseNum = objSettings.strReadString(“ParcelQuery”, “HouseNumber”, “”)
gtxtStreetName = objSettings.strReadString(“ParcelQuery”, “StreetName”, “”)
gtxtMap = objSettings.strReadString(“ParcelQuery”, “Map”, “”)
gtxtGroup = objSettings.strReadString(“ParcelQuery”, “Group”, “”)
gttxtParcel = objSettings.strReadString(“ParcelQuery”, “Parcel”, “”)

‘Street Query Defaults
gtxtStreetFile = objSettings.strReadString(“StreetQuery”, “StreetFile”, “”)
gtxtStreetID = objSettings.strReadString(“StreetQuery”, “StreetID”, “”)
gtxtStreetField = objSettings.strReadString(“StreetQuery”, “StreetField”, “”)
End Sub

Global variables:

Public objSettings As New xmlrw(“CURVSettings.xml”)
‘Program Settings
Public gtxtDefaultPath As String
Public gtxtDefaultMap As String
Public gysnDefaultLayers As Boolean

‘Parcel Search Settings
Public gtxtParcelFile As String
Public gtxtParcelID As String
Public gtxtOwner As String
Public gtxtHouseNum As String
Public gtxtStreetName As String
Public gtxtMap As String
Public gtxtGroup As String
Public gttxtParcel As String

‘Street Query Defaults
Public gtxtStreetFile As String
Public gtxtStreetID As String
Public gtxtStreetField As String

‘Layer Indexes
Public gintGroupIndex As Short
Public gintLayerIndex As Short

Saving Map Settings

One of the first things I want to be able to do with my ArcReadercontrol Viewer is be able to save program and map settings.  I have some experience with VB 6 and considered using INI files.  In the course of my research for upgrading to VB.net I became aware the INI files were strongly discouraged (INI Files Will Never Die: How-To in .NET).  With a little digging, I found that the same functionality of INI files could be found by using XML files.

XML Demo

A program that demonstrates how to persist VB.NET application settings using an XML document. This is basically notice the pun an example of how to use an XML file to persist settings in your application. The coding convention is the same as the VB SaveSettings or GetSettings, also the same as the old INI file convention. You use a Section to separate different types of settings then a key=value pair to store individual settings.

The sample from XML Demo works well, but I did need to make 1 change to the code to make it work:

I Changed:

Private Function blnSaveFile() As Boolean
‘private function used by the class to
‘save current settings to the file, this
‘function is called on class_finalize, when
‘the object representing the class is destroyed
‘or set to nothing

m_xmld_File.Save(m_str_File_Name)

End Function

To:

Public Function blnSaveFile() As Boolean
‘private function used by the class to
‘save current settings to the file, this
‘function is called on class_finalize, when
‘the object representing the class is destroyed
‘or set to nothing

m_xmld_File.Save(m_str_File_Name)

End Function

I created 2 functions that use the sample code from XML Demo.  These function are accessed via Menu items, Save Map Settings and Load Map Settings.

Save Map Settings:

Private Sub SaveMapToolStripMenuItem_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles SaveMapToolStripMenuItem.Click
Dim strFileName As String
Dim saveFileDialog1 As New SaveFileDialog()
saveFileDialog1.Title = “Select Location to Save Map Settings”
saveFileDialog1.Filter = “Curv Files (*.curv)|*.curv”
saveFileDialog1.RestoreDirectory = True

If saveFileDialog1.ShowDialog() = DialogResult.OK Then
strFileName = saveFileDialog1.FileName
Dim objMapSettings As New xmlrw(strFileName)
Dim varLayerInfo() As String
Dim i As Integer
Dim strKey As String
Dim strValue As String
Dim intLayers As Integer
Dim strCoords As String
Dim dXmin As Double, dYmin As Double, dXmax As Double, dYmax As Double
conARMap.ARPageLayout.FocusARMap.GetExtent(dXmin, dYmin, dXmax, dYmax)
strCoords = dXmin & “,” & dYmin & “,” & dXmax & “,” & dYmax
intLayers = fCountLayers()
varLayerInfo = fSetLayerIndexes(intLayers)
objMapSettings.blnWriteString(“Layers”, “SettingsForMap”, cmbMapSelection.Text)
objMapSettings.blnWriteString(“Layers”, “LayerExtents”, strCoords)
objMapSettings.blnWriteString(“Layers”, “Count”, CStr(intLayers))
For i = LBound(varLayerInfo) To UBound(varLayerInfo)
strValue = varLayerInfo(i)
If Len(strValue) > 0 Then
strKey = “Layer” & i
strValue = varLayerInfo(i)
objMapSettings.blnWriteString(“Layers”, strKey, strValue)
Else
i = 1001
End If
Next i
‘destroy the class, this causes the class_finalize
‘event which saves the settings to persist in the
‘disk file
objMapSettings.blnSaveFile()
objMapSettings = Nothing
End If
End Sub

I will try to explain the code:

Dim strFileName As String
Dim saveFileDialog1 As New SaveFileDialog()
saveFileDialog1.Title = “Select Location to Save Map Settings”
saveFileDialog1.Filter = “Curv Files (*.curv)|*.curv”
saveFileDialog1.RestoreDirectory = True

Open a save dialog and select a file to create.

If saveFileDialog1.ShowDialog() = DialogResult.OK Then

If a user selects a file and hits OK in the save dialog, continue.

Dim objMapSettings As New xmlrw(strFileName)

Create the save file via the xml class

Dim dXmin As Double, dYmin As Double, dXmax As Double, dYmax As Double
conARMap.ARPageLayout.FocusARMap.GetExtent(dXmin, dYmin, dXmax, dYmax)
strCoords = dXmin & “,” & dYmin & “,” & dXmax & “,” & dYmax

Get the coords of the map.

intLayers = fCountLayers()

Count the number of layers in the map (See Supporting Subs and Functions below)

varLayerInfo = fSetLayerIndexes(intLayers)

Create an Array of Layer index numbers, used to save layer index as well as visibility, ie on or off. (See Supporting Subs and Functions below)

objMapSettings.blnWriteString(“Layers”, “SettingsForMap”, cmbMapSelection.Text)
objMapSettings.blnWriteString(“Layers”, “LayerExtents”, strCoords)
objMapSettings.blnWriteString(“Layers”, “Count”, CStr(intLayers))
For i = LBound(varLayerInfo) To UBound(varLayerInfo)
strValue = varLayerInfo(i)
If Len(strValue) > 0 Then
strKey = “Layer” & i
strValue = varLayerInfo(i)
objMapSettings.blnWriteString(“Layers”, strKey, strValue)
Else
i = 1001
End If
Next i
‘destroy the class, this causes the class_finalize
‘event which saves the settings to persist in the
‘disk file
objMapSettings.blnSaveFile()
objMapSettings = Nothing
End If
End Sub

Save the settings to a file.

Load Map Settings

Sub sLoadDefaults()

OpenFileDialog1.Title = “Select a Map Settings File”
OpenFileDialog1.Filter = “Curv Files (*.curv)|*.curv”
OpenFileDialog1.ShowDialog()

‘Exit if no map document is selected
Dim sFilePath As String
sFilePath = OpenFileDialog1.FileName
If sFilePath = “” Then Exit Sub
Dim objMapSettings As New xmlrw(sFilePath)
Dim i As Integer
Dim strValue As String
Dim strKey As String
Dim intLayers As Integer
Dim intGroup As Integer
Dim intChild As Integer
Dim ysnLayerOnOff As Boolean
Dim arrString() As String
Dim arrCoords() As String
Dim strMapName As String
Dim strCoords As String
Dim dXmin As Double, dYmin As Double, dXmax As Double, dYmax As Double
strMapName = objMapSettings.strReadString(“Layers”, “SettingsForMap”, “”)
If cmbMapSelection.Text <> strMapName Then
Exit Sub
End If
strCoords = objMapSettings.strReadString(“Layers”, “LayerExtents”, “”)
arrCoords = Split(strCoords, “,”, -1)
dXmin = CDbl(arrCoords(0))
dYmin = CDbl(arrCoords(1))
dXmax = CDbl(arrCoords(2))
dYmax = CDbl(arrCoords(3))
conARMap.ARPageLayout.FocusARMap.SetExtent(dXmin, dYmin, dXmax, dYmax)
intLayers = CInt(objMapSettings.strReadString(“Layers”, “Count”, “”))
For i = 0 To intLayers – 1
If intLayers > 0 Then
strKey = “Layer” & i
strValue = objMapSettings.strReadString(“Layers”, strKey, “”)
arrString = Split(strValue, “,”, -1)
intGroup = CInt(arrString(0))
intChild = CInt(arrString(1))
ysnLayerOnOff = (arrString(2))
Call sLayerOn(intGroup, intChild, ysnLayerOnOff)
End If
Next i
conARMap.ARPageLayout.FocusARMap.Refresh()
objMapSettings = Nothing
End Sub

I will attempt to explain key points:

OpenFileDialog1.Title = “Select a Map Settings File”
OpenFileDialog1.Filter = “Curv Files (*.curv)|*.curv”
OpenFileDialog1.ShowDialog()

Open “Open File” dialog box

strMapName = objMapSettings.strReadString(“Layers”, “SettingsForMap”, “”)
If cmbMapSelection.Text <> strMapName Then
Exit Sub
End If

Check that the Map Settings file being opened matches the current, open PMF file, if it does not match, stop loading.

strCoords = objMapSettings.strReadString(“Layers”, “LayerExtents”, “”)
arrCoords = Split(strCoords, “,”, -1)
dXmin = CDbl(arrCoords(0))
dYmin = CDbl(arrCoords(1))
dXmax = CDbl(arrCoords(2))
dYmax = CDbl(arrCoords(3))
conARMap.ARPageLayout.FocusARMap.SetExtent(dXmin, dYmin, dXmax, dYmax)
intLayers = CInt(objMapSettings.strReadString(“Layers”, “Count”, “”))
For i = 0 To intLayers – 1
If intLayers > 0 Then
strKey = “Layer” & i
strValue = objMapSettings.strReadString(“Layers”, strKey, “”)
arrString = Split(strValue, “,”, -1)
intGroup = CInt(arrString(0))
intChild = CInt(arrString(1))
ysnLayerOnOff = (arrString(2))
Call sLayerOn(intGroup, intChild, ysnLayerOnOff)
End If
Next i
conARMap.ARPageLayout.FocusARMap.Refresh()
objMapSettings = Nothing
End Sub

Load the settings from the file use the Split function to break apart strings into an array (Split(strValue, “,”, -1))

Supporting Subs and Functions

Count Layers in the map.

Public Function fCountLayers() As Integer

Dim i As Integer
Dim j As Integer
Dim pLayer As ARLayer
Dim intLayerCount As Integer
intLayerCount = frmMain.conARMap.ARPageLayout.FocusARMap.ARLayerCount – 1
Dim intCounter As Integer
intCounter = 0
‘Loop through each layer in the focus map
For i = 0 To intLayerCount
pLayer = frmMain.conARMap.ARPageLayout.FocusARMap.ARLayer(i)
If pLayer.IsGroupLayer = False Then
‘If the layer is searchable add layer
‘to collection, and name to combo box
Else
For j = 0 To pLayer.ARLayerCount – 1
intCounter = intCounter + 1
Next j
End If
Next i

fCountLayers = intCounter
End Function

Create string with layer group index, layer index, and on/off state

Public Function fSetLayerIndexes(ByVal pintLayerCount As Integer) As String()

Dim i As Integer
Dim j As Integer
Dim pLayer As ARLayer
Dim intLayerCount As Integer
Dim strValue As String
intLayerCount = frmMain.conARMap.ARPageLayout.FocusARMap.ARLayerCount – 1
Dim arr() As String
Dim intCounter As Integer
intCounter = 0
ReDim arr(pintLayerCount)
‘Loop through each layer in the focus map
For i = 0 To intLayerCount
pLayer = frmMain.conARMap.ARPageLayout.FocusARMap.ARLayer(i)
If pLayer.IsGroupLayer = False Then
‘If the layer is searchable add layer
‘to collection, and name to combo box
Else
For j = 0 To pLayer.ARLayerCount – 1
strValue = i & “,” & j & “,” & pLayer.ChildARLayer(j).Visible
arr(intCounter) = strValue
intCounter = intCounter + 1
Next j
End If
Next i
fSetLayerIndexes = arr
End Function

Building a Custom Query

Years ago, I used to do a lot of programming with MS Access. Somewhere along the way I saw an interesting code sample of how to write a custom query. I have used the methodology described ever since. There may be better solutions available, and I am open to them, but I have used variations of the following code in all types of web pages and programs.

First Step:

1. Create Search Form
   
2. Code The Search ButtonPrivate Sub cmdSearch_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles cmdSearch.Click
   ‘On Error GoTo ActError

   ‘Query which searchs by user input
   Dim strwhere As String

   ‘Parcel Query Defaults
   strOwner = gtxtOwner
   strHouseNum = gtxtHouseNum
   strStreetName = gtxtStreetName
   strMap = gtxtMap
   strGroup = gtxtGroup
   strParcel = gttxtParcel
   strParcelFile = gtxtParcelFile
   strParcelID = gtxtParcelID
   With cmdSearch

   strwhere = “‘”

   If Len(txtOwnerSearch.Text) > 0 Then

   strwhere = ” and ” & strOwner & ” like ‘” & txtOwnerSearch.Text & “%’”
   End If

   If Len(txtCMAPSearch.Text) > 0 Then

   strwhere = strwhere & ” and ” & strMap & ” = ‘” & txtCMAPSearch.Text & “‘”

   End If

   If Len(txtGPSearch.Text) > 0 Then

   strwhere = strwhere & ” and ” & strGroup & ” = ‘” & txtGPSearch.Text & “‘”

   End If

   If Len(txtParcelSearch.Text) > 0 Then

   strwhere = strwhere & ” and ” & strParcel & ” = ” & txtParcelSearch.Text

   End If

   If Len(txtHouseNumSearch.Text) > 0 Then

   strwhere = strwhere & ” and ” & strHouseNum & ” = ” & txtHouseNumSearch.Text

   End If

   If Len(txtStreetNameSearch.Text) > 0 Then

   strwhere = strwhere & ” and ” & strStreetName & ” like ‘” & txtStreetNameSearch.Text & “%’”
   End If

   End With

   strwhere = UCase$(Mid$(strwhere, 6))

   txtSearch.Text = strwhere
   Call sSearch(strwhere)
   Me.ParcelsTableAdapter.Fill(Me.CurvDBDataSet.parcels)
   End Sub

   Explanation:
   I will attempt to explain the code.  It we look at:

   If Len(txtOwnerSearch.Text) > 0 Then
   strwhere = ” and ” & strOwner & ” like ‘” & txtOwnerSearch.Text & “%’”
   End If

   In the If…Then statement we test to see if txtOwnerSearch.text has a value.  I have been told that checking to see if the length of txtOwnerSearch.text is greater than 0 is slightly quicker than checking to see if txtOwnerSearch.text has a value.  If the length of txtOwnerSearch.text is greater than 0 and therefore has a value we begin to build the query statement.

   You will notice that all query statements begin with an AND regardless if it is the first statement.  This is by design and will be handled.

   strwhere = ” and ” & strOwner & ” like ‘” & txtOwnerSearch.Text & “%’”

   strwhere= Combined Query String
   strOwner=Column to be queried
   ” like ‘” & txtOwnerSearch.Text & “%’”=Search operator(Like), value(txtOwnerSearch.Text) and wildcard(%)

   Results:
   “and NAME_1=’Wilson M’”

   Handling the initial AND:

   strwhere = UCase$(Mid$(strwhere, 6))

   UCase$ = Capitalizes the entire string
   Mid$= Cuts off the first 6 characters, ” and “

   Results:
   strWhere=”NAME_1=’Wilson M’”

   Call sSearch(strwhere) – Call the search Subroutine

3. Building the Search Sub:

   Sub sSearch(ByVal pstrWhere As String)
   ‘Set mouse cursor as this can take some time with large datasets
   On Error GoTo ErrorHandler
   ‘app.MousePointer = vbHourglass
   Dim intCount As Integer
   ‘Get layer to query
   Dim pARMap As ARMap
   pARMap = frmMain.conARMap.ARPageLayout.FocusARMap

   Call sSetIndexes(strParcelFile)
   pARLayer = pARMap.ARLayer(gintGroupIndex).ChildARLayer(gintLayerIndex)  ‘m_LayersIndex(cboLayers.ListIndex)

   ‘Build the ARSearchDef
   Dim pARSearchDef As ArcReaderSearchDef
   pARSearchDef = New ArcReaderSearchDef

   ‘Build WhereClause that meets search criteria
   Dim sWhereClause As String
   ‘Remove quotes from WhereClause if search is numeric
   sWhereClause = pstrWhere
   pARSearchDef.WhereClause = sWhereClause
   m_pFeatureCursor = pARLayer.SearchARFeatures(pARSearchDef)
   intCount = fCreateParcelDS(m_pFeatureCursor)

   If intCount > 0 Then
   lblMeets.Text = “Features MEETING the search criteria: ” & intCount
   Else
   lblMeets.Text = “Features MEETING the search criteria: 0″
   End If
   Exit Sub

   ErrorHandler:
   Debug.Print(Err.Number)
   Select Case Err.Number
   Case -2147219885
   MsgBox(“Check Field Names under Program Options”)
   ‘Me.MousePointer = vbDefault
   Exit Sub
   End Select

   End Sub

   Explanation:
   This subroutine is used to process the query string.  The code here is slanted to work with ArcReader Datasets and calls several custom functions which can be ignored.  The relevant section where the query is applied is:

   Call sSetIndexes(strParcelFile) – Subroutine to set variables for search layer indexes
   pARLayer = pARMap.ARLayer(gintGroupIndex).ChildARLayer(gintLayerIndex)  ‘m_LayersIndex(cboLayers.ListIndex) – Set the layer to be searched
   
   ‘Build the ARSearchDef
   Dim pARSearchDef As ArcReaderSearchDef
   pARSearchDef = New ArcReaderSearchDef

   ‘Build WhereClause that meets search criteria
   Dim sWhereClause As String
   ‘Remove quotes from WhereClause if search is numeric
   sWhereClause = pstrWhere
   pARSearchDef.WhereClause = sWhereClause - Apply the search string
   m_pFeatureCursor = pARLayer.SearchARFeatures(pARSearchDef)- Build the Querried features
   intCount = fCreateParcelDS(m_pFeatureCursor) - Custom function to process the records and provide record count

Summary:

The methodology described above is extremely flexable.  I have used it in VB, VBA, .NET, PHP, and ASP projects.  I hope it helps you.

ArcReaderControl

Recently i have begun program a GIS viewer utilizing the arcreadercontrol. i wanted the viewer to have as much flexibility as possible. Some of the feature i am attempting to to include are:

• Saved program settings
• Saved map settings
  • zoom level
  • layer status(on/off)
• Custom searches
• Geocoding

currently, i have all functionality i desired working with the exception of text mark up. in the following posts i will attempt to detail how each item of functionality was accomplished.

Saved Program Settings

There are several reasons to save program settings.  In the case of the people I work with I find it easier to store the path to GIS data and projects within my programs.  I also, as stated earlier, want to be able to to build some custom searches.  The layer I want to be able to search is a parcel layer.  The parcel data I plan to search is from several different counties.  Unfortunately, due to naming conventions used in each county the field names are not always the same.  Therefore i need to save the field names as settings.

Saved Map Settings

On of the biggest frustrations, I have with ArcReader is the inability to save map settings.  For example, if I am working with a PMF files with many different layers, I would like the ability to save layers visibility based on the last setup I used.  With the standalone ArcReader application this is impossible.  I will work around this limitation in the custom viewer.

Custom Searches

The GIS users I work with tend to heavily utilize the available parcel layers.  To help facilitate their work I plan to create some customized searches to supplement the built in “Find” commands.  Alt hough the “Find” command is suitable for searching a single field, it does not handle searching multiple criteria.

Geocoding

The Geocoding functionailty availbe in ArcReader is limited to the ArcWeb Services Locators.  ArcReader and ArcReadercontrol can not utilize file based address locators.  I will attempt to see if there is a work around to allow file based geocoding.

Developing a Custom GIS Viewer

I have begun trying to build a custom GIS viewer for some of the GIS users I work with.  In my attempt to develop a viewer I have several goals in mind.  These goals include:

• Viewer must be free
• Viewer must read as many formats as possible
• Developed in VB or VB.net
• Flexible functionality

My goals for programming languages is strictly based on my own limitations.  I know how to program in VB, but preferably this project will focus on VB.net and help me to better learn its intricacies.

Currently, I have found 2 different paths to achieve my goals.  These paths include using MapWindow and the ArcReadercontrol.  The MapWindow website describes is as:

MapWindow GIS Open Source Software

The MapWindow application is a free, extensible, geographic information system GIS that can be used:

• As an alternative desktop GIS
• To distribute data to others
• To develop and distribute custom spatial data analysis

via MapWindow GIS Open Source Project.

I like all of the functionality included with MapWindow, but the lack of GeoDatabase support in the long run is a potential problem.

My second option for building a viewer is using the ArcReadercontrol produced by ESRI.  According to the “ArcGIS Desktop Help” :

The ArcReaderControl and ArcReaderGlobeControl developer components are available as ActiveX Controls and .NET Windows controls on the Windows operating system. The ArcReaderControl and ArcReaderGlobeControl expose all the functionality available in the ArcReader application. Anyone with a Publisher license can develop custom ArcReader applications with the two controls. Developing with the ArcReaderControl and ArcReaderGlobeControl allows you to deliver specific ArcReader functionality to ArcReader users.

The ArcReadercontrol seems to have a lot of functionality but their are 2 areas of concern:

1. Based on Proprietary software
2. Control can only open PMF files (The PMF files can contan almost any format GIS data though)

Over the next serveral days and weeks, I will be posting my progress as well as code I used to develop my viewers.  Any suggestions or input is always welcome.

CNN Satellite Video

My wife sent me this link:

CNN Satellite Video

I find it fascinating the turn around time on these images.  I also am happy that the major news outlets are making use of GIS in such a high profile way.  I really think this has become a boon for introducing GIS to the uninitiated.

Sending Large Files with No FTP

On of the problems I sometime have with GIS is sending large files digitally.  Many times maps that include aerial photography are too large to send via email.  Unfortunately my office is currently without an FTP.  I was forced to use both sneaker net and snail mail.  A friend introduced me to MediaFire.  The MediaFire website describes itself as:

The simplest file hosting service to share files and images with others

MediaFire has 2 levels of account, Free and Pro.

Free Account
Unlimited storage
Up to 100MB per file
Unlimited uploads
Unlimited downloads
Unlimited bandwidth
Image galleries
No sign up required
No software to install

MediaPro ($6.97/Month)
Direct/Hot link to files
Up to 10GB per file
Redundant backups
No Ads
Rollover bandwidth
SSL encryption
Advanced statistics
Priority support

For my uses, the limit of 100 MB per file has not been an issue.  I have never leveraged the Pro service.

The real selling point for me is 2 features, No sign up required and No software to install. Because no signup is required I can easily email a link to a file and that person can quickly access and download.  The reciepient also does not need any software installed, which is a huge plus.

I realize that there are many services available for online file storage, but if you are looking for a quick easy solution I would strongly recommend MediaFire.

Twitter References

I have been using Twitter for the last couple of months.  At first I was unsure how to best use Twitter and found it extremely frustrating.  What really changed my mind about Twitter were several articles and blogs I ran across.  One of the posts I read, A Minimalist’s Guide to Using Twitter Simply, Productively, and Funlyby Leo Babauta, contained a description of Twitter which really change how I percieved it.  The description was of Twitter as a river…

Twitter is like a river … you can step into it at any point and feel the water, bathe in it, frolic if you like … and then get out. And go back in at any time, at any point. But, you don’t have to try to consume the entire river — it’s impossible and frankly a waste of time in my eyes.

So that’s how I approach Twitter these days: I’ll just jump into the stream of incoming tweets and see what people are saying. I can ignore them or follow their links or reply if I want. Then I get out of the stream. I don’t try to read everything I missed, and if I miss a lot of stuff, I’m OK with that.

via A Minimalist’s Guide to Using Twitter Simply, Productively, and Funly | Zen Habits.

Here are some links to other posts about Twitter that I found intetresting and Helpful:

• 12 ways to use Twitter to increase your productivity
  
• 6 Tips for Using Your Twitter Profile to Get New Followers – The section on Twitter backgrounds is interesting and led me to the post I used to create a twitter background via a powerpoint template.
• WHY asking Questions are a Powerful Twitter Technique
  
• Do you Converse or Broadcast? How to Build (or Kill) Relationships on Twitter – Particularly for new twitter users, this post was particularly helpful.
• Twitter Guide: How To Do Things With Twitter
  
• TweetStats – In ur Tweets, Graphin’ Your Stats!
• Twitter Tools for Community and Communications Professionals

Reference Sites

Periodically I run across a site I refer to over and over again.  I am going to try to create a list of sites that I visit regularly that help me with my day to day activities.  If there are sites you use that are not listed let me know.  I am always on the lookout for info.

Programming and Web Development:

The Quick Reference Site – The largest collection of free Quick Reference Cards

Python 2.5 Quick Reference

Python-by-example

Open Web Design

Open Source Web Design

Cheat Sheets for Front-end Web Developers

The Best Developer Cheat Sheets Around

Web 2.0:

e-Learning Reloaded: Top 50 Web 2.0 Tools for Info Junkies, Researchers & Students

The Museum of Modern Betas

Go2Web20.net – The complete Web 2.0 sites directory

GTD:

Massive GTD Resource List

Random:

PortableApps.com Suite

Alphabetical Directory of Linux Commands