The GEO-Jobe Blog » ESRI

Nashville Flood

Eric Edmonds — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 22:31:36 +0000

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Recent infrared aerial photographs of the Nashville area flooding were taken by TN Department of Transportation. Generally TDOT charges for their imagery, however, according to a super secretive resource from TDOT’s GIS department, these photos may soon become available to state and local governments for free. How did we get this super secret information from our super secretive source? I’ll let you in on the secret… We emailed them…

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TDOT flew Monday, May 3rd – Saturday, May 7th over major flood areas. As you can imagine, some of the later photos taken Friday and Saturday did not capture the full flood epidemic. The good news is that we have the flight patterns. Hopefully some of you will be able to incorporate these photos into your GIS soon.

No wonder it took all week, they flew all over the place! Oh, and thanks for the screenshots Google Earth.

Better Ways to Design and Share Maps

Eric Edmonds — Fri, 28 May 2010 21:26:33 +0000

After attending this meeting, I felt compelled to go out and create maps to share with the world! The FREE ESRI Seminar was held in Phoenix, AZ about three weeks ago, give or take two weeks… The Seminar showed how ESRI can help create easier and faster maps using their tools and sharing information (“But it’s mine!”-my son’s and wife’s favorite line). If you missed the seminar, go to another one. They have a free series that travels around United States to bring you information for the price of you not being so dang lazy…even though that is the ultimate goal, to have your information resources make the “best” decision for you while you spend the least amount of effort making the decision, win-win, right?.. Okay back to the Seminar.

The seminar was broken down into sections. Here is a resource list that might be helpful to those who both did and did not attend based off of the seminars agenda.

Session 1 Building Basemap

Map Template Gallery (Download professionally designed templates to make better, faster maps). http://resources.esri.com/maptemplates
Best Practices for Working with Map Templates (Free one-hour online training seminar. Learn tips on creating professionally designed maps using cartographically rich map templates and your data). http://www.esri.com/training
ESRI Mapping Center (ArcGIS cartographic tips). http://mappingcenter.esri.com
Cartographic Representations (Learn to symbolize your data). http://www.esri.com/representations
Labeling with Maplex for ArcGIS (Documentation for Maplex for ArcGIS includes a 60 day trial). http://www.esri.com/maplexdocumentation
Creating and Publishing Maps with ArcGIS (Instructor-led training course. Learn techniques for creating professional quality maps using a standard cartographic workflow). http://www.esri.com/training
ArcGIS Community Basemap Program (Contribute or obtain authoritative geographic data from this ESRI-hosted, GIS community map). http://www.esri.com/communitymaps

Session 1-A Deploying the Map

Using Data from Different Coordinate Systems http://www.esri.com/article34129
Managing and Configuring ArcGIS Server (ESRI White Papers). http://www.esri.com/serverwhitepapers
Geodatabase Replication http://www.esri.com/article34131
Authoring and Deploying Fast Web Maps (Free one-hour online training seminar. Learn best practices for designing and publishing map services). http://www.esri.com/training
How to Plan a Map Cache http://www.esri.com/mapcache

Session 2 Sharing Content

ArcGIS Online (Sign up for free) (You will receive 1 GB of free storage, making it easier to share content with others through groups you either participate in or create). http://www.arcgisonline.com
How to Get Started Using ArcGIS Online (Online video). http://www.arcgisonline.com/help/help.htm
Layer Packages http://www.esri.com/layerpackages
Sharing Layer Packages with ArcGIS Explorer (This blog post explains how to create good layer packages for sharing maps and content). http://www.esri.com/agxlayerpackages
Creating Models (Online Video). http://www.esri.com/creatingmodels
Introduction to ArcGIS Server (Instructor-led training course. Develop skills in authoring and sharing GIS content on the Web or across your organization). http://www.esri.com/training
ArcGIS Explorer (download for free) (Start visualizing, analyzing, and presenting your content now. http://www.esri.com/arcgisexplorer
ArcGIS Explorer Quick-Start Tutorial (Free one-hour online training seminar. Learn the basics of working with ArcGIS Explorer and how to create dynamic geopresentations in ArcGIS Explorer) http://www.esri.com/training
Enhance ArcGIS Explorer with Add-on Tools (Click/Search: TOOLS) http://www.arcgisonline.com

I’m not going to tell you what’s coming in ArcGIS 10.

Look How EASY I Made It For You. Let me know if you want me to also read them off and click the links…

ESRI Development Summit 2010 Summary

Eric Edmonds — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:53:31 +0000

So I get to write a blog entry about the 2010 ESRI Development Summit in Palm Springs California! Do I tell you about the 86 degree sunshine, the college kids on spring break, the street party, the beautiful women by the pool (gotcha!), the breath taking mountains or the serene desert? Okay! Well, no, I did not get to see any of that. But, I did learn a lot of cool stuff about the ArcGIS 10 pre-release which is planning to ship out April 1st, 2010. Of course, it is April Fool’s Day, so I am not holding my breath.

I started Monday at 8:30 a.m. with the “Getting Started with the ArcGIS Web Mapping APIs Session” by Presenters Jeremy Bartley, Kelly Hutchins, and Sterling Quinn. I’m telling you…lot’s of cool stuff in the new APIs for JavaScript, Flex, and Silverlight. The Version 2.0 Beta was released Sunday, so I am pretty excited about that and the new editing widgets that are avaialable in all three api’s.

Over the past few days I attended sessions back to back, including: “Using and Extending the ArcGIS WebMap for Flex”, “Working with the ArcGIS API for Flex”, “Distributed Geodatabase Development”, “Working with the ArcGIS API for JavaScript” and several user presentations on Javascript and Flex work. All that flexing can wear you out! But it is Palm Springs!

Of course, the most exciting news to some of you will be the new Iphone Application Development API. There is also a rumor of an Android Development API, which was the subject of many questions during the mobile technology question sessions. Everybody seems to be hot to jump on the Android bandwagon.

I also spent a lot of time with several of the ESRI development team leads whom helped me with answering several questions and providing
issue solutions.

Well that was a brief flash of the summit. I am incredibly pumped about getting the pre release and implementing all the new stuff as soon as I get back to work!

Blog at you all again soon!
Rodney

Oh to leave with a list of a few of the new things for ArcGIS Desktop here is a list straight from Jack Dangermon’s slide!

An ArcCatalog window built into ArcMap for quick data access
Easier and faster ways to find and use symbols and tools
Auto hide and dockable windows (e.g., table of contents) so your focus remains on the map
Ability to execute geoprocessing in the background, allowing you to continue to interact with your map
Integration of a new window in ArcMap to simplify project management and collaboration
New Query layers that allow you to access all data (including spatial data) stored in relational databases via standard SQL
Creation and management of time-based data
Can display and animate temporal datasets
Python window console within ArcMap
Being able to automate everything with Python
Desktop add-ins template

Mobile ArcGIS Training Classroom Travels to Owensboro, KY

Eric Edmonds — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:31:46 +0000

Texas Gas is an interstate pipeline that moves natural gas from Gulf Coast and Fayetteville Shale supply areas to more distant on-system markets in the Midwest and to off-system markets in the Northeast via interconnections with third-party pipelines. It originates in the Louisiana Gulf Coast area and in East Texas and runs north and east through Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, and into Ohio, with smaller diameter lines extending into Illinois. Geo-Jobe GIS Consulting is currently teaching two private training classes for Texas Gas Transmission, ArcGIS Desktop I & ArcGIS Desktop II.

Because of GEO-Jobe’s new mobile classroom, we can bring up to 10 of our own new Dell Laptops with the latest ArcGIS software to make training even more convenient for you! Contact us for more information!

ArcGIS 10 – Top 10 New Features

Neill Jobe — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:57:58 +0000

Shared from the All Points Blog.

ArcGIS 10 – Top 10 New Features #feduc

Here are the top 10 features of ArcGIS 10 as described by ESRI

Tables and windows can hide; the user can pin a window open; as windows appear or hide the map does not redraw; and some common operations have been tagged to a single pull down menu
List layers by visibility: zooming into map allows different features to appear and the legend updates accordingly; the SELECT BY LASSO tool will add layer views to the table of contents.
Tables: the user can dock tables anywhere on the map view; collapsing the table will display a tab at the bottom of map view
Enhanced reporting allowing users to use selected features only and creating a report
New search tool box (looks similar to search column on Microsoft products) in a right column area; search results may be from projects or files on your computer or on the web
Symbology search: search through 20,000 symbols that are available or use the search box for symbols such as a “red push pin”
Inclusion of catalog window into ArcMap
Tool Tips for Geoprocessing and ModelBuilder: tool tips have been enabled so the user can see input and output features without accessing the ModelBulder tool individually; Also new is an “undo” or “redo” button; and, the user can include tools and models in the toolbar and dock these tools on the toolbar;
Layers can be “time enabled” to isolate a field that has a time stamp so that the user can step though a layer of features by time; a slider bar is used to incrementally step though the time layer
License check out is now available so the user does not need to be connected to the serverWednesday, February 17. 2010 Posted by Joe Francica

Sign Management Program – Minimum Reflectivity Standards

Eric Edmonds — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:47:10 +0000

Agencies must have a sign management program in place to insure that signs along roadways meet certain minimum retro-reflectivity standards. In 2008, the FHWA required that state and local agencies must assess and develop a sign replacement plan by January 2012. Non-compliant warning and regulatory signs must be in compliance by 2015 and guidance and street name signs must be in compliance by 2018.

As an agency, how can you best manage your road signs? GEO-Jobe incorporates a turn key solution for agencies to effectively manage their sign “retro-reflectivity” program. We can customize a geodatabase to properly inventory your signs by including useful management attributes in the database such as: maintenance records, location, incident reports, installation dates, type, retroreflectivity, environmental conditions, etc.

Want to learn more about the retroreflectivity standards? Click Here

Mobile Classrooms

Eric Edmonds — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:20:46 +0000

Do you have a group that needs to learn ArcGIS? GEO-Jobe recently held an ArcGIS Desktop I training class for several airport personnel at Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport. The training classes are instructed by GEO-Jobe’s Senior VP, Neill Jobe. GEO-Jobe offers ArcGIS Desktop I, ArcGIS Desktop II, and ArcGIS Desktop III training anywhere in the country.

Don’t have a group but would like to attend the classes? You can still register to attend our monthly training classes held at our Nashville office! Register and view our Training Class Schedule at our website at www.geo-jobe.com.

Significantly increase your accuracy without upgrading your hardware!

Neill Jobe — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:46:14 +0000

Trimble recently announced the new software releases of TerraSync, GPScorrect (w/ArcPad), Pathfinder Office, and GPS Analyst increase your accuracy regardless of the model year of your Trimble unit (Geo3 and forward).
Whether you are a forester working under canopy or a city engineer working in an urban environment, the accuracy improvements will be significant. Please attend Duncan-Parnell’s webinar to learn about this new technology, required settings for the GPS and office software, and accuracy results expected.

GeoXH, ProXH, ProXRT receivers: these receivers will now be 10cm (4 inch) more often and in more places. It will now be easier to achieve 10cm in canopy, you can achieve it faster (eg: if it took 60-90 seconds before, it will now be 20 seconds), and with longer baselines. A rover unit could not be 200km from a dual-freq base and still achieve 10cm. The ProXRT can now post-process GLONASS as well.

GeoXT, ProXT: this product, when using these new versions of TerraSync has been re-spec’d to 50cm (20 inch) rather than just “sub-meter”. Results will now be smoother as well.

Juno: this receiver has also been re-classified to a 1-3m receiver from a 3-5m receiver. The increased post-processing ability will take this Sirf receiver reliably to 1-3m, and in practical terms closer to 1m. Increased yield and smoother accuracy in canopy are a big benefit for the Juno. Note that this applies to the Juno SB, SC, and ST.

We will host this webinar twice, please register for the date and time that best fits your schedule below.

Date: Thursday, February 11, 2010
Time: 3:00 pm
Register here - Click Here

Date: Monday, February 22, 2010
Time: 3:00 pm
Register here – Click here

GEO-Jobe has Extended their Customer Support Hours!

Eric Edmonds — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:57:09 +0000

To accommodate our East Tennessee clients and local utility companies, we have extended our customer support hours from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. indefinitely.

We know what you’re thinking, “Wow! That’s almost as good as free gift wrapping!” (Don’t forget about Valentine’s Day fellas). The extended support hours enables our customers to work more efficiently, giving them more time in the evening to “shop” for their significant other (or in our case, our mothers!) for this upcoming Valentines Day!..

Starting February 4th, Drew Griswold will be available for calls before 8 a.m. His direct line is (615) 724-5984. You can also reach him from our main office line at (615) 883-0085 ext. 7804.

GEO-Jobe GIS Conducts ArcGIS Training at Gulfport-Biloxi, MS Airport

Neill Jobe — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:03:21 +0000

We are currently conducting ArcGIS Desktop I training in Gulfport, MS. A total of 10 students from three departments (Planning, Operations and IT) within the Airport have attending the training and are familiarizing themselves with the ArcGIS Desktop Platform.

Gulfport-Biloxi Airport is the most recent WD Schock airport client implementing GIS with the help of GEO-Jobe GIS. As part of the implementation, we created a custom ArcGIS Server application allowing all personnel, within the Airport, to have access to important GIS information for planning, project tracking, utilities management, and public safety.

This training class is also the first Mobile Training performed with GEO-Jobe’s upgraded Mobile Classroom, allowing the ArcGIS Desktop Training classes to be brought directly to the client.