• Sharing Code, Maps, and Data Science Through a Digital Jupyter Notebook

    Here's a fun pet project where I walk through the process of downloading specific tweets using theTwitter python api to automate the mapping of downloaded points using ArcGIS Online and a leaflet.js map. I'l discuss using Jupyter python notebook for documenting this process.

  • Simplifying Metadata Editing for the Non-Programmer: Semi-automating metadata documenting using Python's docx Word Module

    We all mean well when saying we're planning to add metadata to our GIS databases and layers. However, meaning well doesn't always go far enough. We need a more efficient and practical solution to help GIS staff enter the descriptions, definitions, contacts, dates, and all other relevant metadata pieces of information consistently. This presentation showcases a solution using two python modules (docx and arcpy_metadata) to 1) export existing metadata into a MS Word document for reviewing, updating, and entering new metadata into the the Word doc; and 2) take the newly updated MS Word doc's metadata and import it directly into Esri's metadata editor. This solution is two-fold: 1) it provides a printed version of your metadata and 2) it offers a simple way for multiple users to review and correct metadata for automated import into the metadata editor fields.

  • A Homegrown Approach to a GIS User's Assessment-with a Bonus Implementation Plan

    Ever wonder how to figure out how your GIS users use GIS, what other apps or training they need? You could spend $50k on a consultant's perspective or you could use this "homegrown" approach to a GIS User Needs Assessment and get more useful, insightful, and applicable results in 1-2 months. We overview the process used by the City of Duluth's Public Works & Utilities Department for identifying major obstacles that GIS users face through iterative interviews, scoping creative projects, prioritizing and then implementing those projects as solutions for your GIS users!