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.

My Experience with GTD

For the past 2 years or so I have been trying to use the “Getting Things Done” (GTD) method for organization.  the GTD method is based on the book by Davis Allen.  The summary of GTD from Wikipedia states:

GTD rests on the principle that a person needs to move tasks out of the mind by recording them externally. That way, the mind is freed from the job of remembering everything that needs to be done, and can concentrate on actually performing those tasks.

As is stated in the summary, the key to the system is recording tasks externally.  The two main methods for recording tasks is digitally and hardcopy.  My experience with GTD led me to try both methods.  Initially I started with writing all of my tasks on graph paper.  This was probably the simplest method, but for me it did not feel structured enough.  This lack of structure did not help me to have confidence in my system.  Having confidence in your system is key to being successful.  I needed a more structured system.  With a little research I found a really good ,and best of all, free, hardcopy methodology.  This methodology was base on the templates available at DIY Planner:

Welcome to DIY Planner 3.0 Classic/A5 Edition, a set of free do-it-yourself templates, covers, documentation and other gear for creating your own highly customized paper planner system. A year in the making, this new version includes nearly 200 pages of forms covering life management, calendars, project planning, note-taking, health, finance, and even creative uses like writing, storyboards, and web design. With some basic supplies, the handbook, and a little elbow grease, you can create an ideal low-cost productivity system that meets almost every need.

via DIY Planner 3.0 Classic/A5 Edition | DIY Planner.

The templates available are free and in most cases can not only be downloaded but editted as well.  Besides the prebuilt Planner there are also lots of other templates and a starter kit based on Open Office software to create templates from scratch.  I used the DIY Planner for about a year.  Over the past year I have attempted to go purely digital.

The time I decides to go digital cooresponded with my discovery of the great articles and posts on LifeHacker.  I saw an article refering to a service called Jott. As described by Jott’s web site,  “Jott.com’s voice-to-text services allow you to capture thoughts, create to-dos, set reminders, and send emails & text messages – all with a simple phone call.”  While Jott was still free (it has since besome a subscription service), I got to testing it and many of the services it conects to.  One of those services was “Remember the Milk” (RTM).  RTM is an online to do and task management system.

RTM has many great features, including reminders, email updates, sms notification and task creation, and also some powerful integration into Google gmail and gcal via scripts and extensions.  The fact that I can integrrate RTM with my cell and google accounts is the selling point for me.  Because I always have the phone with me, I can better utilize the GTD system even on weekends.

STEPL – Spreadsheet Tool for Estimating Pollutant Loads

Recently, I have worked on a Watershed Management Plan.  As part of a management plan, estimations have to be made for pollutant loads  and possible reductions by BMP implementation.  A tool that was highly recommend was STEPL:

Spreadsheet Tool for Estimating Pollutant Load( STEPL) employs simple algorithms to calculate nutrient and sediment loads from different land uses and the load reductions that would result from the implementation of various best management practices BMPs.STEPL provides a user-friendly Visual Basic VB interface to create a customized spreadsheet-based model in Microsoft MS Excel. It computes watershed surface runoff; nutrient loads, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and 5-day biological oxygen demand BOD5; and sediment delivery based on various land uses and management practices. For each watershed, the annual nutrient loading is calculated based on the runoff volume and the pollutant concentrations in the runoff water as influenced by factors such as the land use distribution and management practices. The annual sediment load sheet and rill erosion only is calculated based on the Universal Soil Loss Equation USLE and the sediment delivery ratio. The sediment and pollutant load reductions that result from the implementation of BMPs are computed using the known BMP efficiencies.

via EPA – STEPL – Spreadsheet Tool for Estimating Pollutant Loads.

STEPL (pronounced Step – L) was easy to use and was flexible for entering different BMP configurations.  My only issue with STEPL was compatibility with Office 2007.  If you plan on using STEPL and Office 2007 be ready for possible issues.

Serendipity Weblog System

Serendipity – a PHP Weblog/Blog software

I have always liked using PostgreSQL, including on web servers.  In some cases I also like to host my own blogging software.  Unfortunately, there seems to be few options for blog software that use PostgreSQL.  I found the there is an older version of wordpress available, but I honestly don’t like the idea of using older out of date software.  With a little research I found an an Open Source project called Serendipity,  the project web site describes Serendipity as:

Serendipity is a PHP-powered weblog application which gives the user an easy way to maintain an online diary, weblog or even a complete homepage. While the default package is designed for the casual blogger, Serendipity offers a flexible, expandable and easy-to-use framework with the power for professional applications.

via Serendipity Weblog System.

I found Serendipity to be easy to use, reliable and easy to update.  I have also found that that Serendipity has a plethora of feature and plugins.  If you are looking for an option for blogging with PostgreSQL, I would recommend Serendipity.

Water Quality Tools and Models – BASINS 4.0

Better Assessment Science Integrating point and Nonpoint Sources (BASINS)

BASINS is atool produced by the EPA.  As described on the BASINS website:

BASINS is a multipurpose environmental analysis system designed for use by regional, state, and local agencies in performing watershed and water quality-based studies. This system makes it possible to quickly assess large amounts of point source and non-point source data in a format that is easy to use and understand.

The original version of BASINS runs using ArcView 3.x.  The most recent version of BASINS is based on Open Source software.  From the BASINS 4.0 Description | Water Quality Tools and Models | US EPA:

The biggest change in BASINS 4.0 is the open source GIS software and the ability to transfer and share GIS standard data shapefile, dbf, and GeoTiff between other licensed GIS software. Also a Windows-based Climate Assessment Tool, for assessing potential impacts of changing climate on stream flows and pollutant loads has been added as a “plug-in” program which interfaces with WinHSPF.

I have used Basins 4.0 and find it pretty interesting.  It uses MapWindow.  I like the fact that Open Source software is being leveraged by the EPA.  For the most part BASINS worked well with 1 minor exception.  When I tried to projecting data it crashed.  To solve it I left everything in Geographiv coordibates.

Creating a Headline section on a Web Page

When I design a website, I typically like to add a headlines section to the index page.  I do not always have time to either edit the index or create new stories.  For this reason, I started using a blog with RSS feeds.  I can then use PHP to parse the feed and display the headlines.  To keep things neat I limit the number of headline and once I reach my limit, I put a link to additional posts.

The PHP RSS Parser I use is MagpieRSS, as per the MagpieRSS website:

MagpieRSS: RSS for PHP

MagpieRSS provides an XML-based expat RSS parser in PHP.

MagpieRSS is compatible with RSS 0.9 through RSS 1.0. Also parses RSS 1.0’s modules, RSS 2.0, and Atom.

via Magpie RSS – PHP RSS Parser.

In order to diplay just the headlines, I insert the following PHP block into my index page:

<?
require_once ‘rss_fetch.inc’;

// ADD YOUR FEED LINK
$url = ‘http://www.example.com/articles/Articles.rss’;
$rss = fetch_rss($url);
$counter=1;
$i=1;
foreach ($rss->items as $item ) {
$title = $item['title'];
$url   = $item['link'];
if ($i<9) {

//OPEN HEADLINE IN NEW WINDOW
echo “<p>&bull;&nbsp;<a href=’$url’ target=’_Blank’>$title</a><br /></p>\n”;
}
$i++;
$counter++;
}
if ($i>8) {

//ADD YOUR FEED LOCATION
echo “<a href=’http://www.example.com/Articles’  target=’_Blank’>More…</a><br>\n”;
}
?>

GIS Professionals Toolbox – Text Editor

One of the tools I use most often is a text editor.  A good text editor is an esential tool for programming and other assorted task.  There are several open source text editors available.  Two of the text editors I have used are SciTE and NotePad++.  Both editors have many powerful features including tabs to open multiple files, a must for web work.

The first Text Editor I used was SciTE.  Below is the description from their website:

Scintilla and SciTE

SciTE is a SCIntilla based Text Editor. Originally built to demonstrate Scintilla, it has grown to be a generally useful editor with facilities for building and running programs. It is best used for jobs with simple configurations – I use it for building test and demonstration programs as well as SciTE and Scintilla, themselves.

I particularly liked the install put together by Bruce Dodson.  Based on his website Dodson was a GIS professional from Canada.  His version is set up to do syntax highlighting for Avenue.  The only issue is the Dodson’s compilation is several versions behind the current version of SciTE.

From Bruce Dodson’s Website:

Free Tools for GIS Developers (SciTE – Scintilla Text Editor)

Scintilla Text Editor SciTE is a very nice small-footprint source code editor based on the Scintilla text editor widget. SciTE and Scintilla itself are made by Neil Hodgson

I’ve put together a setup wizard that bundles Neil’s SciTE with Andre’s context menu handler, as well as several other configuration enhancements available on the net, and my own tweaks to the configuration files making SciTE work the way I like it, not necessarily the way you like it. The setup wizard fits on a floppy with room to spare. Not bad for a full-featured scriptable editor with syntax highlighting and folding support.

On of the Editor’s I have begun to rely on heavily is NotePad++.  NotePad++ is updated more ofter than SciTE and some additional features including better find and replace functionality.  I have made it a standard install on all machines I use.  I also like the fact that I can install it on a thumb drive as part on PortableApps.

.:: NOTEPAD++ ::.

Notepad++ is a free (as in “free speech” and also as in “free beer”) source code editor and Notepad replacement that supports several languages. Running in the MS Windows environment, its use is governed by GPL Licence.

Both programsare extremely useful and I would recomend giving them a try.

I am always interested in other programs.  Let me know if there is another editor worth trying.

GIS Professionals Tool Box – Evernote

As a GIS Professional there are tools, other than GIS software, that I use daily on a daily basis.  For the most part, I stick to using free and/or open source tools where possible. Why free and open source?  My employer has limited resources, the funding available needs to be directed at salaries as well as GIS software costs.  By using free software, I can test and either implement or disregard software with only an investment of time.  I will try to list some of the tools I use and give my thoughts and opinions.

Evernote

One of my favorite tools is Evernote, a service similar to OneNote.  According to the Evernote website:

Evernote allows you to easily capture information in any environment using whatever device or platform you find most convenient, and makes this information accessible and searchable at any time, from anywhere.

via What is Evernote? | Evernote Corporation

I use 3 Evernote interfaces, the web, windows, and mobile apps.  All app tie together through the online database so that I can access my data from almost anywhere.  One of my main uses lately is creating compilation of data from a variety of sites.  During a recent work trip I clipped data including itinerary, agenda, meeting notes, and contact info to a single post.  I could than access the post from my phone.  The data was all in one place so I did not have to visit several sites.

In the case of GIS, I have also begun using Evernote for documentation and project notes.  For anyone the has worked with ESRI software over the last several years can attest, much of the software docs are not centrally located and is in several locations.  The documentation can come from a variety of sources, and is totally searchable, including the images.

The features available in Evernote are pretty extensive.  I believe it is a tools well worth investigasting.  If you are like me, you will find that it has a place in your GIS tool box.