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  I found the there is an older version of wordpress available, but I honestly don’t like the idea of using older out of date software.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.

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.