accessibilityArcGIS Pro Layouts and AccessibilityCreating beautiful cartographic map layouts can be a difficult journey. Titles, fonts, and picking a north arrow that matches your design…
announcementsArcGIS Pro 3.0 ReleasedInitially scheduled for release in June, Esri was able to release ArcGIS Pro 3.0 with a few days to spare. With the Esri User Conference…
javascriptUsing JavaScript's Geolocation APIThe location of people and devices is handy if you want to display local weather, show a map, get directions, or even tweak advertisements…
javascriptArcGIS and Log4j VulnerabilitiesThe investigation continues into the Log4j vulnerability (AKA Log4Shell) as CVE-2021-44228 was disclosed on December 9, 2021, and related…
arcgis proArcGIS Pro Favorites and FoldersArcGIS Pro has been able to store favorites since the 2.x releases. How this is managed in Pro has changed slightly over the years. Well, I…
accessibility2021 AODA WCAG Content Compliance in OntarioPublic web content in Ontario must meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 AA as of January 1, 2021. This shouldn’t be a shock…
fyiArcMap to RetireAfter 2 decades, ArcMap is set to retire. Sure there are still six more years of support, but ArcGIS 10.8.1 is the final release for good…
javascriptJavaScript map libraries with WMS Radar dataIn a recent post, we discussed the Canadian Government’s open platform to share Meteorological data, MSC GeoMet. MSC GeoMet provides public…
fyiArcGIS JavaScript API Key PleaseIt’s not just technology and underwear that change frequently, software requirements and Terms of Service (TOS) can change quickly too. Even…
fyiCanadian Radar Online AccessWhen browsing the Canadian weather website the other day I was surprised to read the bold notice “New Weather Radar Map”. I then scrolled…
pythonAppend using ArcPy cursorsIf we are using Python with ArcGIS, there are existing tools to append data. However, calling a Geoprocessing tool from Python doesn’t feel…
pythonUsing multiple versions of Python with ArcGISAs Python continues its dominance as the defacto scripting language for GIS software, we hit a point when one Python environment isn’t…
arcgis serverArcGIS Server Print Service Produces a Pixelated LegendCustom print services allow us to create unique layouts with custom elements such as dynamic legends, scales and automated text labels…
fyiTouch GIS Provides Free Access with GeoIntTouch GIS is one of the latest mobile data collection apps to be launched for the field workforce. It has many of the professional field…
pythonPython Script to Overwrite Existing Service in ArcGIS ServerArcGIS Desktop’s ArcPy package gives us the ability to publish a map service from a map document (MXD) inside Python. This can be very…
analysisParallel Processing in ArcGISWe’ve all been there - Staring at the progress bar, wondering why task manager continues to say our 32-cores are sitting nearly idle while…
javascriptCreate a JavaScript Weather App with Location Data Part 2In part 1 we went over the main components to create a JavaScript weather app with location data. From finding the device location, getting…
javascriptCreate a JavaScript Weather App with Location Data Part 1In the previous post, we discussed the possibility of writing our own location-based weather application. So let’s try it! In part 1 we will…
fyiWeather apps and location data in the newsFor some reason, my news feeds have recently been filled with articles about Weather Apps and how many of them are selling our location data…
fyiUpgrading Spatial TimesSpatial Times is getting an upgrade. OK, more of a rebuild from scratch. After 5 years, it was time to update the interface and clean-up…
fyiArcGIS Online User Levels are ChangingA major change to ArcGIS Online User Levels are coming December 4th, 2018. This is a welcome change to the current “Level 1” and “Level…
pythonUse ArcPy to Connect to SDE and VersionsThis post will discuss how to use ArcPy to Connect to SDE, create a new version, and switch to that version all inside a Python script. At…
fyiCollector for ArcGIS Updated v18.0.1Collector for ArcGIS v18.0.1 is now released for all supported platforms. For iOS users, this includes the use of Leica’s Zeno GG04 plus…
gnssSXBlue Platinum, In the FieldIt was finally time to get bundled up and test the SXBlue Platinum in nature. Not only to test the functionality, but with the recent -20c…
gnssSXBlue Platinum, an IntroductionThe SXBlue Platinum is one of the newer members to Geneq’s SXBlue family. As discussed below, there is really more than one Platinum - with…
pythonMultiple Field Key to Single Field Key for Relates using ArcPyAn issue with multi-field unique keys (composite key) is that we can’t use them to setup a join or relate between objects (Feature Classes…
pythonArcMap Layers to LYR Files with PythonA tiny Python script to show how to export ArcMap Layers to LYR Files with Python. Although it’s a short script, it shows how easy it is to…
pythonSecure Map Service to Shapefile with Python Part 3This post is inspired by the many emails I’ve received on the first two posts in this series. This article will address the most most…
fyiCollector for ArcGIS updateCollector for ArcGIS has its first feature update in 2017. The list of new features includes a few community request items we should all be…
analysisWeb GIS metrics and patterns with Google AnalyticsScouring through some blogs the other day I came across an article from Esri regarding the “Most frequently used Web AppBuilder for ArcGIS…
fyiArcGIS Javascript API 3.20Phew. The long hiatus of posting updates is over. As expected, the world continued to move on without me. This includes an update to Esri’s…
fyiArcGIS JavaScript API 3.19As we are all waiting in line at the mall to buy some final holiday gifts, ArcGIS JavaScript API 3.19 and 4.2 were released so we could…
gnssiOS ArcGIS Collector 10.4 with the Bad Elf GNSS SurveyorI’ve wanted to try ArcGIS Collector with the Bad Elf series of devices to see how it stacks up against some other external GPS/GNSS. I’ve…
fyiArcGIS Server 10.5 is now ArcGIS Enterprise 10.5If you haven’t heard, Esri found out we finally understand the current naming conventions and licencing models for their server products…
pythonMap Service to Shapefile with Python Part 2 - IterationThis post builds on the previous Extract a Map Service Layer to Shapefile using Python post. It seems as though many are interested in…
fyiArcGIS JavaScript API 3.18ArcGIS JavaScript API 3.18 was released by Esri last week. Great news for those still using the 3 series - and FYI, ArcGIS JavaScript API…
gnssCollector for ArcGIS Windows Edition 10.4 AND it worksPhew! Collector for ArcGIS Windows Edition 10.4 is here… and it works!! That positive energy put forward in the related Collector 10.3 post…
fyiCollector for ArcGIS 10.4.0 iOSCollector for ArcGIS 10.4.0 iOS is now available in Apple’s App Store. This is a major update for those hoping to use high-accuracy GNSS…
fyiCollector for ArcGIS Windows Edition 10.3It sounds like a no-brainer: Use your Microsoft 10 deviced docked at the office, then disconnect, and your field ready with Collector for…
javascriptUse Bootstrap to Customize Esri's JavaScript InfoWindow IconsI was recently working a small web mapping application and wanted to use Bootstrap to customize Esri’s JavaScript InfoWindow icons to match…
analysisProjecting between NAD83 and NAD83 CSRS in ArcGISUpdate 2020-11-04: Fixed a small, yet important, typo in the ‘Create transformation’ steps . Special thanks to Darren M. for catching this…
pythonExtract a Map Service Layer to Shapefile using PythonHow easy/hard is it to extract a Map Service layer to Shapefile using Python? Not as hard as you would think. Is it legal? Not as easy as…
fyiArcGIS Collector 10.3.7The new releases keep pouring out for the Esri Dev Summit. This time we get a very focused update for ArcGIS Collector 10.3.7. If you were…
fyiArcGIS JavaScript API 3.16With Palm Springs hosting the Esri Developer Summit this week - a few updates are coming out of Redlands just in time for the plenary. The…
fyiArcGIS 10.4ArcGIS 10.4 has finally arrived (most of it). Esri announced last week that their flagship product suite, ArcGIS 10.4 is here. This includes…
fyiArcGIS Collector Updates GaloreSome of the most anticipated updates for ArcGIS Collector have arrived this December! Just in time for… winter?! (Canada Joke). That said…
fyiArcGIS JavaScript API 3.15In time to upgrade over the holidays, ArcGIS JavaScript API 3.15 is here with updates that enable us to use many of the new server features…
analysisArcGIS Collector Illegal Start of TokenAfter minutes, hours, nay - week in the field, you decide it’s time to sync your offline ArcGIS Collector edits so others in your…
fyiArcGIS Javascript API 3.14 and 4.0Just in time for the Esri International UC in San Diego, two big updates have been announced for the ArcGIS Javascript API - the release of…
javascriptPrint Text Elements with ArcGIS for ServerCreating your own map template, or using the generic ones, you have the ability to print text elements with ArcGIS for Server layouts. But…
fyiArcGIS 10.3.1 ReleasedArcGIS 10.3.1 has been officially released by Esri. Like most build number increments, there are both fixes (service packs, quick fixes…
javascriptArcGIS JavaScript API Printing Group LayersYou’re not hallucinating - sometimes the map you see in your ArcGIS JavaScript application doesn’t look like the one you printed via the…
javascriptPrinting with ArcGIS for Server 10.3My relationship with the ArcGIS Server Print Service and the REST API was a little more turbulent than expected. Here’s how it all started…
fyiArcGIS Collector 10.3 for iOSIt’s finally here. With little fanfare (relative to Apple Watch and the all-new MacBook earlier this week), the iOS release of ArcGIS…
analysisArcSDE 10.3 AdministrationArcSDE 10.3 administration has significantly changed. More specifically, ArcSDE no longer exists. Starting at 10.3, there is no more ArcSDE…
analysisSpatialTimes 2014 Year in ReviewThe numbers are finally in, and 2014 was a great year for SpatialTimes.com. Sure it wasn’t a full year, as the first post wasn’t even posted…
fyiUnexpected Google AnnouncementsA few big announcements from Google over the past few weeks. First, Google announced that support for the Google Maps Engine product will…
fyiArcGIS Collector 10.3 ReleasedArcGIS Collector 10.3 has just been released for Android OS, and will soon be available for iOS users as well. ArcGIS Collector 10.3 is more…
analysisMigrating to ArcGIS for Desktop 10.3If you are migrating to ArcGIS for Desktop 10.3, there are a few additional steps not covered in the install guide. That said, if you are…
fyiArcGIS Javascript API 3.12 ReleasedIt’s only been a few months, but Esri has already released ArcGIS Javascript API 3.12. Phew! Normally, this isn’t a big deal - but if you…
fyiArcGIS 10.3 and ArcGIS Pro are releasedThat’s right, ArcGIS 10.3 (ArcGIS for Desktop, ArcGIS for Server, etc), and ArcGIS Pro are now officially released. In a post from Esri…
gnssArcGIS Collector External GPS OptionsI’ve seen enough demos and presentations of ArcGIS Collector over the past year that I think it’s time to take a more in-depth look into…
fyiW3C HTML5 Recommendation Complete!It’s time to rejoice - the W3C HTML5 guessing game is over! After 17 years of HTML4 we have reached a new milestone as The World Wide Web…
javascriptArcGIS for Server Long TokensI recently wanted to use a secure ArcGIS for Server map service with a new proof-of-concept (POC) web application. The service was secure…
fyiArcGIS Javascript API 3.11 ReleasedToday Esri announced their latest release of ArcGIS Javascript API 3.11. Notable changes/updates include: New Heatmap Renderer for feature…
fyiArcGIS for Server, Security, and Bash VulnerabilityIn light of the recent announcements on the bash (AKA: Shellshock) vulnerability, a quick update on how your ArcGIS for Server might be…
sql serverSQL Server spatial query, part 2This post is an extension of ”SQL Server spatial query, part 1”. The first post primarily focused on how the basic query and geometries are…
fyiArcGIS Pro licensing UpdateThought you could delay and/or ignore signing up for an ArcGIS Online (AGOL) Organizational account? Well, it’s going to get a little more…
sql serverSQL Server spatial query, part 1A traditional GIS analysis question - Does the polygon contain the point, is the point inside the polygon? There are lots of ways to use a…
pythonPython Relative DirectoryWhen using sub-directories to store temp files, analysis outputs, or logs - a nice way to deal with the parent directory when moving the…
pythonBinary flags with PythonSometimes you just want to run a few specific sections of your python code for testing. Then a few more. Next, all sections. Now run just…
analysisMosaic Large Images to a Single Raster in ArcGISI’ve had some question regarding large sets of ortho imagery tiles and how you can turn this into one seamless raster (and maintain…
fyiEsri User Conference Q&AIt’s that time of year again… when 12,000 people (approximately) head to San Diego to refill their Esri Kool-Aid and see what’s coming down…
developerUseful GIS Developer ToolsLooking for additional tools for your coding toolbox? Here are 4 useful GIS developer tools you may or may not know about. Oh, they are also…
fyiShapefile vs Feature ClassWalking down the hallways of a GIS conference you hear lots of great debate and geek-talk on a variety of topics. A Shapefile vs Feature…
javascriptArcGIS JavaScript API Web Optimizer beta releasedThe ArcGIS JavaScript API Web Optimizer is a web application that will generate custom or lightweight builds of the ArcGIS JavaScript API…
analysisArcGIS License Manager SettingsThis post will cover 3 aspects of ArcGIS License Manager: Using ArcGIS Desktop 9.3x and 10.x with License Manager 10.x ArcGIS License…
map of the dayMap of the Day - The New York TimesA great web mapping example. The New York Times Crime map has been around for a while now (June 18, 2009), but it’s still worth discussing…
fyiArcGIS 10.2.2 is hereWith very little fanfare, ArcGIS 10.2.2 was released last week. Don’t be fooled by the lack of attention, this is an important update to…
sql serverFeature Class export into native SQL Server tableNot too long ago, the only way to store spatial data inside a database was to have a custom/binary format managed in code or by software…
fyiOpen Data Institute Coming to WaterlooThe Federal Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan 2014 recently announced it will be providing $3 million to Canadian Digital Media…
fyiArcGIS Javascript API 3.9 ReleasedEsri just announced the latest release of ArcGIS Javascript API 3.9. Notable updates in this release are the new CSV Layer and a new symbol…