Free ArcGIS Tools – EasyCalculate

Someone sent me a link to these tools and expressions.  Although the company sells software and extensions for ArcGIS, they also some free tools.  Of particular interest is the EasyCalculate section (See Summary below).  I did not realize the true power of the field calculator until I had tested some of the provided expressions.  It is truly amazing what can be done just by running the field calculator.  If you have not had a chance I would recommend taking a look at the calculations and see what is available.

From the website:

EasyCalculate is a set of expressions currently 110 for the ArcGIS field calculator. The expressions can be loaded in the Field Calculator and when executed calculate some spatial characteristics of the features, edit the shapes, add records to a target layer, draw graphics etc.

via Free ArcGIS Tools

ArcSDE with PostgreSQL

Have begun testing ArcSDE with PostgreSQL.  Decided to go to PostgreSQL for Several reasons:

1. Cost
2. Experience
3. Licensing

PostgreSQL

PostgreSQL is Open Source and is free.  For some users, the fact that it is Open Source is an instant turn off and cause for concern.  In my experience, the user community for PostgreSQL is vibrant with lots or resources available. The PostgreSQL has extensive documentation, user forum, and several other useful links.  There are newer books available as well as several free digital downloads.

My concern is also minimized by a comfort level with the database.  I have run PostgreSQL on our webserver with hardly a problem for several years.  It is used as a data repository for some of our most queried datasets (1000+ hits per day) and the backend of our blog.

When I first became interested in PostgreSQL I stumbled across it while looking at MySQL.  I needed a DB that could possibly be included in a commercial application. The possible licensing costs associated with MySQL were a concern.  When I reviewed PostgreSQL, I noticed that it used a BSD license, a license which has fairly few restrictions.

ArcSDE

As we test ArcSDE, I will make an attempt to post my findings,