NunoProspero

Converting KML to SHP or SHP to KML

You can use many different free tools (such as Zonum Solutions or ArcScripts) to convert from Keyhole Markup Language (KML) to ESRI Shapefile (SHP) and vice-versa.

The best advice I can give you is keeping on thing in mind: Google Earth only reads and writes KML/KMZ using the WGS 1984 coordinate system. That means that:

• If you are converting SHP to KML, you should convert your shapefile to WGS1984. Use the “Project” tool in ArcToolbox and select that coordinate system. You must define the projection function in order to work… Then, use the above tools to convert to KML. Simple.
• In case you are converting KML to SHP, do the following: open the ArcMap with a blank document. Add any kind of shapefile in your own coordinate system (Datum, UTM, etc). The mxd will gain that coord system. Convert the KML to SHP using the tools I’ve mentioned before. Add the output shapefile to the mxd and ArcMap will convert it to your coordinate system. If you want it permanently in that format, use the Project tool in ArcToolbox. Remember to fill in the projection function.

Success? Troubles? If you have any doubts related to this matter, contact me.

SQL Server vs Access

How to import data from SQL Server 2005 to Microsoft Access throw VBA code? Quite simple. The problem is finding the correct SQL connection string:

DoCmd.TransferDatabase acImport, “ODBC”, _
                    “ODBC;DRIVER=SQL Server;” & _
                    “UID=username;” & _
                    “DATABASE=databasename;” & _
                    “SERVER=server;” & _
                    “PWD=password“, acTable, “table1“, “table1_copy“, False, True

I lost so many hours figuring out what the hell did “Could not find installable ISAM” means…

Bing! A New Search Engine Arises

Microsoft has finally brought up to the search engine market a nice product called Bing in order to replace the Live Search. Thought the strange name, this search engine display some nice results.

There is a comparison site called Blind Search where you can submit a query to Google, Bing and Yahoo but you won’t be able to see which results belong to each company. Then, you’ll vote which one was the best engine.

I’ve had a few surprises…

Nike + Apple = Magic

 This was one of the best impulsive shopping I ever did – buying an iPod Nano and a Nike sensor in one shot!
After more than two years of usage, I have to say that I’m a delighted customer.

This simple “toy” changes the way you work out. By uploading your results to a Nike  online profile which tracks all your moves, running is no longer a boring exercise, tiring and ussualy tied with crazy weight losing programs. It becomes a vicious and competitive game!

Recently I’ve lost my 1st sensor, so I had to buy one new. I found a small and nice Apple Store in Lisbon called Computer Bench and I got only the sensor (I had already the receiver) for only 19 euros.

The only problem I had so far was pairing the new remote. Apple iTunes assume that since the sensor is new, the user wants to create another account. It might seem strange, but it makes sense after all – this would be the situation where the iPod is shared by a family and each member has a different sensor and different accounts… To solve the trouble, I had to use this advice: Unpairing the old sensor.

Testing with several browsers

I’ve been an Opera fan from a long time ago. Unfortunatly, Opera’s market share is ridiculous but it’s still the best browser you can get. However, many many people don’t know that there are better programs to surf the web then Microsoft Internet Explorer and have never tried Google Chrome, Opera, Firefox, etc. So, if you want to develop a sitte you MUST remember that the  final users are not as savvy as you are, and most of them still use an old version of Internet Explorer.

So, how can I test my site dev with older versions of IE? 

Simple, install Multiple_IE. This program contains the dlls necessary to run old versions of IE in order to allow testing from IE 4.0 to the newest one. Give it a try!

The Story of Stuff

This is a documentary about the life-cycle of goods and services. 20 minutes that might change the way you look at several products and companies.

http://www.storyofstuff.com/

Highly recommended!

File Format Caos

Hey, ESRI and Autodesk, what about using a common open source file format instead of your own formats?

That you simplify the  interoperability and make everything more simples…

For instance: how to convert a DWG file to an ESRI SHP shapefile? Well, first idea: google it, download a trial (you won’t find it for free…) and buy it or crack it

But, what happens when you have a DWG file with password (encrypreted file)? You won’t have a choice…  Use Autodesk first to remove the password and then import the file using ArcCatalog. If you want to do it automatically (using a batch), you’ll require some more advanced tools, and paid, unfortunately.

Visual Complexity

Yet another post about visual representation. Nowadays, there is so much data available that is hard to filter which information might be useful in a decision-making process. One of the computer engineering topics that I’m keen on is visual representation of tons of data. I love to see the projects present on this site because they represent nice and clean solutions for real problems. Give it a try, enjoy it!

http://www.visualcomplexity.com/vc/

Designing an office from scratch according to Google

A friend sent me this article about the new Google offices in Canada. At first sight, it seems like another advertising article about Google. However, a second look you’ll show you that there’s something under the hood

The office was so damn well planned  that it’s awesome! Everything is thought to be part of an ecosystem – there are no leaks or missing parts.

Guia Fiscal 2008 – DECO / Proteste

For my portuguese readers… Este documento é o Guia Fiscal 2008 preparado pela DECO/Proteste, com imensas perguntas e respostas de como preencher a papelada dos impostos IRS 2008. Aconselho vivamente a leitura do Guia. Nesta altura do ano, os bancos fazem imensas ofertas de PPRs, mas só em alguns casos é que se podem tornar boas soluções. Cuidado com a subscrição de produtos de última hora (o prazo de subscrição é 31 Dezembro 2008) pois os vossos gestores de conta vão fazer promessas malucas Link para o Guia Fiscal Online.