Top Three ArcGIS Extensions ESRI Should Have Included by Default

The main software that I use at work everyday is without a doubt ArcGIS. I use to to do mapping, data management, Analysis and just good old fashion data clean-up and migration. That said, ArcGIS includes a whole host of tools but some of them are hard to find or simply none existent. When I get into this situation there are three main utilities that I use to fill the gap.

Spatial Technique’s ET Geo Wizards- I’ve been using this Extension since the ArcView Days. The main features are quite staggering and I’ve used many of the tools from the various functional areas over the years. Many of the functions in this extension are free but if you need more you can grab a single license for $195.

Data East- Xtools Pro- Xtools Started out as a free extension and then went to a Pro Version a number of years ago. Xtools have many of the same functionality as the ET Geo wizards but has a few more. You can buy it for $211.88 if you need to go beyond the free functions. Some of my favorite tools include; Auto Save MXD, Multi- delete Fields, Table Restructure and a few others. Check out the tool descriptions.

Spatial Ecology- Hawth’s Analysis Tools for ArcGIS- As the name suggests the tools are for performing analysis. The best thing is that these are FREE. I have relied on the Count Points in Polygon Tool Many times as well as Polygon in Polygon Analysis, Zonal Statistics and quite a few of the table tools. Have a look at the toolset and their descriptions here.

Please note that I do not derive any income of any sort from these companies neither am I affiliated with them.

iPhone Unboxing Goodness

I unboxed my iPhone a while back and it was the neatest thing ever and I even took some photos. Woo hoo… However, I mainly took photos of the iPhone itself after it came out of the box. I was more interested in the product than the process I guess. Anyway I came across these unboxing photos and I thought that they were the coolest unboxing photos I’ve ever seen. I can’t believe that someone took the time to set all this up but I found it very artsy and interesting. I’m wondering if the artist had a deeper meaning because I can think of a few.

Almost 12

Gosh I can’t believe this I’m so wired. Here it is almost 12 AM in the morning and I’m on my computer listening to slow jams from the 90s? I’m listening to Don’t Let Go by En Vogue. Not sure what’s up with me but I’m in that kind of mood tonight. I started off with some Regina Belle and just kept going. I haven’t listened to this kind of stuff in a while and realize I actually missed it just a little. The words are something else. I wouldn’t recommend listening to this all the time but once in a while you just gotta relax and just let this stuff blow in your ears for a bit. well I’m off to get some much needed rest.