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

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.

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.

Tennessee Base Mapping Program

According to the TN Base Mapping Website, “the Tennessee Base Mapping Program seeks to develop a comprehensive spatial database that will dramatically move GIS in the State of Tennessee to the leading edge of the technology.”

The purpose of the Base Mapping Program is to produce a comprehensive digital base map suitable for inclusion in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The base map consists of Digital Ortho Imagery and digital parcel database. An inherent component of the parcel database will be a link to the Comptroller’s Computer Aided Assessment System (CAAS). (From: TN BMP – FAQ)

Base Mapping Program Links:

Tennessee Base Mapping Program – Home
Cumulative Production Status
Business Plan (PDF Format)
Frequently Asked Questions
Technical Specifications (PDF Format)
ESRI – Project Description
TN Real Estate Assessment Data

It is my understanding, that in the next couple of years, TN will be migrating from CAAS to “Integrated Multi-Processing of Administrative and CAMA Technology” (IMPACT).

Spatial Data Servers

Much of the GIS work I have done has been focused in the South, primarily Kentucky and Tennessee.  As with most GIS Professionals, I spend time on each project data mining.  Here is a list of sites I have found useful:

TN

Welcome to the Tennessee GIS Spatial Data Server

Welcome to the Tennessee Federal GIS Data Server. Developed by the Tennessee Federal GIS Users Group and the supported by the Tennessee Geographic Information Council TNGIC, this server distributes spatial data layers that are shared among Federal, State, and local GIS facilities in Tennessee.

My Opinion:
Looks of data but in some cases the info is dated.

GIS Services

Welcome to the GISource website, GIS Services gateway to the Internet. This site will be a dynamic source for information about geospatial technologies in Tennessee state government.

My Opinion:
Very little data available for download, but does provide access to several web services.

KY

Kentucky: Commonwealth Office of Technology – Main Page

As part of the Commonwealth Office of Technology, the Division of Geographic Information DGI is responsible for encouraging, coordinating, and implementing geographic information systems GIS within the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The division works with state, federal, and local governments to further geospatial efforts through activities which include strategic planning, project management, technical and administrative support, dissemination of spatial data, education and training, research, and policy development.

My Opinion:

When I used to work in KY alot this was one of the best resources available.  There is lots of data for download and a good number of links to other sites

Kentucky Groundwater Data Repository

The Kentucky Groundwater Data Repository was initiated in 1990 by the Kentucky Geological Survey under mandate from the Kentucky legislature KRS 151:035. The repository was established to archive and disseminate groundwater data collected by State agencies, other organizations, and independent researchers.

The repository database currently contains information for over 56,000 water wells, 4,000 springs, 350 dye traces, and 45,000 water-quality analyses. Included in these data are general water-well information such as location, usage, total depth, and static water level; well-construction information; water-quality data such as major and minor ionic constituents, pesticides, metals, volatile organic compounds, isotopic analyses, trace-organic analyses, and bacterial analyses; spring data; discharge measurements; and groundwater dye-trace data.

My Opinion:

Good site for Groundwater data in KY

IL

Illinois Clearinghouse: Statewide GIS Data and Metadata

Access data sets and associated metadata listed:

• Base Data
• Base Data and PLSS Infrastructure
• Infrastructure Elevation
• Elevation Bedrock Geology
• Bedrock Geology Surficial Geology
• Surficial Geology Water Resources
• Water Resources and Hydrology

My Opinion:

I only used this site to make a county index map for IL.  Seems like it might be a good resource.

AR

GeoStor – Arkansas’ Official GeoData Clearinghouse

Geostor is an on-line data delivery system that allows users seamless access to digital map data GIS Data in Arkansas.

Arkansas_State

The Natural State Digital Database (NSDD) was developed by the Spatial Analysis Laboratory to serve the GIS user community and the state of Arkansas. This web site is a reality because of the work of the SAL, along with other people in the state who feel there should be a site in Arkansas to obtain free base GIS data

MO

MSDIS Homepage

The Missouri Spatial Data Information Service provides public access to GIS and census data about the State of Missouri.

AL

GSA | OGB

OGB GIS Data – Shapefiles

My Opinion:

Does not seem to be much data on the site

GA

Georgia Spatial Data Infrastructure Home Page