The ENTCHEV GIS Blog

“Open Source Mapping in Windows” blog post causes a stir

Atanas Entchev — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:29:08 GMT

As it should.

If you are a geek, or a geek-wannabe, you quickly learn to deride Windows and to avoid Microsoft products whenever possible. You run Ubuntu, or – if you are less adventurous than affluent – the Mac OS. If your applications only run on Windows, you are quick to point this out as the reason for your operating system of choice, lest you get ridiculed. If you are a die-hard Mac fan, you run Parallels Desktop.

The first geek commandment says: “Thou shalt despise Windows.” Yet the Windows caravan moves on, largely ignored by the open source community, as if ignoring Windows could make it go away.

But things have changed.

In her widely retweeted blog post, Sophia Parafina describes her experience with a set of open source mapping tools for Windows – QGIS, Postgres/PostGIS and TileMill. The confluence of a bunch of open source mapping tools for Windows is hailed as a game changer, and this is not an exaggeration. Open source web mapping, just until very recently the province of the hard-core geogeek, has suddenly come within reach of someone who doesn’t want to run multiple operating systems.

Sophia promises more articles. I can’t wait.

“We make GIS maps” in the Department of Redundancy Department

Atanas Entchev — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:33:32 GMT

One of the axioms of GISdom is that it is not easy to explain in simple terms what we do. The quest for clear, informative, succinct and catchy phrase continues, as evidenced by the efforts of Terry Stigers (@tpstigers) et al. Terry’s most recent effort is driven by his unacceptance of the term “GIS maps”. Others on Twitter agreed with Terry, likening the term “GIS maps” to ATM machine and NIC card.

This is where I disagree with Terry and the rest. I agree that “GIS maps” does not accurately describe what we GIS geeks do, and that the term is redundant. So are ATM machine and NIC card (also PIN number). But the above three are accidentally redundant – i.e., the user does not realize there is a redundancy. On the other hand, GIS maps is redundant the way “Mercedes car” is redundant – the user recognizes and intends the redundancy. The user believes that adding GIS/Mercedes to the description of their item adds a degree of sophistication to their item that ordinary maps/cars do not possess.

I base this statement on numerous observations over many years – both of consultants trying to sell their wares, and of GIS system (another redundancy!) users trying to impress their bosses.

Comments are open, so let me know whether you agree with me.

The New Jersey municipal boundaries GIS dataset sells for $5,800. What is your GIS dataset worth?

Atanas Entchev — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:31:35 GMT

If you are not yet familiar with WeoGeo, it’s time to look into what this innovative bunch is doing. In short, they are establishing themselves as the iTunes of geospatial data.

WeoGeo is a place where you go to find, buy and sell GIS datasets. Kind of like the New Jersey Geographic Information Network (NJGIN) for the world. I have been keeping tabs on WeoGeo for a while, so when they launched their most recent feature – an embeddable widget allowing a look into the WeoGeo marketplace from any website – I decided to give it a whirl.

The widget works great, as you can see below. You can browse the WeoGeo marketplace right from my blog’s page, and you can find and purchase geospatial data. I don’t make anything on the sale – no Amazon-style referral program yet. But it must be coming, I’m sure.

An interesting thing caught my eye as I was browsing the WeoGeo catalog. A New Jersey municipal boundaries dataset from Pitney Bowes Business Insight (PBBI (formerly MapInfo)) sells for a whopping $5,800. This is in stark contrast to the freely downloadable NJ municipal boundaries dataset available from NJGIN. For the record, I have not compared the two products – I am only familiar with the free NJGIN dataset – so I don’t know how the PBBI product differs from the free one. But there is a business lesson to be learned there, probably more than one.

The prices on the WeoGeo marketplace are not controlled by WeoGeo – they are set by the sellers. There is clearly money to be made from adding value to products in the public domain and selling the value-added product. There is value in having your dataset listed on a marketplace where a Fortune 100 company might see and buy it. And there might be a buyer out there for that GIS dataset that you just developed. So throw it up on WeoGeo and see what happens.

I don’t take a commission. For now.

Can you procure beauty? An interview with David Imus

Atanas Entchev — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:23:00 GMT

The geo press has written before about David Imus and his map-making shop. But earlier this week it was a muggle publication that noted the award bestowed upon Imus and his map “The Essential Geography of the United States of America” – called by consensus “the best US map”. Which it clearly is, hands down. The map is a meticulously crafted product, and a pleasure to look at. It is a piece of art. It is superb.

As I was marveling at the map, I thought about how much it would cost to make a map like this, and whether it would be feasible – or even possible – to contract for and order such a map under current procurement practices.

The Imus map took 6,000 hours to make, by Imus’s own estimates. I do not doubt or challenge his estimate. But can you imagine the reaction of today’s typical purchasing agent reading the hypothetical Imus map-making proposal? “$327,000 for a map? You cannot be serious. Everyone knows that these days you just push a button and a map comes out of the computer. Take $1,200 to cover your printing costs, or get out of my office.”

I hypothesized that the only way the Imus map could be made would be as a labor of love. Like movie or rock stars’ fan webpages, which are often much better than the “official” website, the Imus map could only be made if the maker was not concerned with billing his time. The Imus map could never be spec’d, ordered or procured as a product or professional service. It would be deemed unreasonably expensive.

I decided to test my hypothesis by reaching out to the man himself. To my delight, David Imus turned out to be very approachable, and promptly responded to my questions. Here is our exchange:

Q: “I see your map as a product of love rather than a business product. Am I correct, or did you set out to make a best-selling product from day one?”

A: “It was both. Making the Essential Geography was a labor of love. But I knew that if I made the most expressive map ever made of the USA and people were to find out about it, there would be a chance that map would be well-received. It's gratifying to see that it is.

My goal was to make the kind of map of the United States that I would want to have, a map that would reveal the essential character of our country. As I worked on the map I wasn't thinking "Oh, this is going to pay off," I was following my bliss doing something that I truly loved to do.”

Q: “I calculate the cost of designing your map around $327,000, based on NJ state contract pricing from 2007. What do you think about this number, and do you think you will recover the cost by selling maps?”

A: “I went way out on a limb to make this map. I'm pleased to know that because of the success I'm seeing, I'll be able to pay back the loans to the people who went out on that limb with me.”

Q: “Is there anything else that you would like to say to the ENTCHEV GIS blog readers?”

A: “It seems people think geography is merely a dull subject taught in schools; and honestly the way geography is taught in schools below the college level doesn't interest even me, and I live and breathe geography. But geography is our way to notice the world; to take note of the rich tapestry of landscapes that cover the planet we live on, which is, as far as we know, the most exotic and fascinating planet in the entire universe.”

I am back

Atanas Entchev — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 01:08:20 GMT

Many readers of this blog have noticed that I disappeared from the online scene on October 5, 2011. I am back.

My disappearance and the surrounding ordeal have been and continue to be documented on my personal blog Tenth Cave, so I will not rehash them here. But I must say a few things:

I was amazed and overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for my cause from the online GIS community. Totally floored. Not that I didn’t expect support, but the sheer volume and the intensity of the compassion went above and beyond my wildest expectations. Thank you, thank you, thank you all!

While I cannot mention everyone who gave of their time and more (it would be a very long list), I would be remiss if I did not specifically thank the following GIS folks for helping spread the word and otherwise supporting me and my family during this difficult two-month period: John Reiser, Dawn McCall, Randal Hale, James Fee, Brian Timoney, Adena Schutzberg, Jane Elliott, Caitlin Dempsey, Bill Dollins, Glenn Letham, Chris McClain, Dave Smith, Terry Stigers, Skip Cody, Mano Marks, Josh Livni, Andres F. Thank you all for your kindness and selflessness.

The show must go on, and it will. This blog will refocus back on GIS as soon as the dust settles and things get back to normal. See you soon!

Thanksgiving Note from Atanas

Randal Hale — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 01:09:18 GMT

Never before in my life have I had the occasion to thank so many people.

First off, I give thanks to the thousands of folks who have supported me in myriads of ways-by signing the online petition, by writing letters of support, by voicing support in social media, by sending money. I thank you all very, very much!

Secondly, I thank the team of close friends and family headed by my attorney Eric Mark for their ongoing tireless work towards our release. Your efforts are priceless, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Finally, I thank my family for their unwavering resilience in the face of adversity. I know you are going through a much more stressful time than Eni and I are, and my heart goes out to you. I love you all very much.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Atanas Entchev

November, 24, 2011

Delaney Hall Detention Center

Newark, NJ

Please sign this Petition for Atanas

Randal Hale — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 13:43:17 GMT

From Atana's wife Mayia:

Dear Friend,

I just created a petition entitled Tell ICE: Stop the deportation of Atanas Entchev and family , because I deeply believe we should be allowed to stay in U.S. which is our home.

I'm trying to collect 1000 signatures, and I could really use your help.

To read more about what I'm trying to do and to sign my petition, click here:
http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-ice-stop-the-deportation-of-atanas-entchev-and-family

It'll just take a minute!

Please ask your friends to sign the petition as well. Grassroots movements succeed because people like you are willing to spread the word!
Thank you very much in advance, you help is greatly appreciated by our family.

Mayia Entcheva

WHY THE ENTCHEVS SHOULD RECEIVE PROSECUTORIAL DISCRETION

Randal Hale — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 00:16:59 GMT

This is taken from http://www.freeatanas.com/public-appeal/ and was written by Eric M. Mark, Esq.

Eric M. Mark, Esq. Phone: 201‐394‐4676
P.O. Box 9151 Fax: 201‐262‐7640
Paramus, NJ 07653‐9151 EricMarkEsq@gmail.com

Atanas Entchev A# 073 178 406
Mayia Entcheva A# 073 178 405
Enislav Entchev A# 073 185 055

WHY THE ENTCHEVS SHOULD RECEIVE PROSECUTORIAL DISCRETION

Both Atanas and Enislav are currently detained at the Delaney Hall facility pursuant to an Order of Deportation issued on September 24, 2009, for which all subsequent appeals were denied. Mayia is not currently detained. The fourth member of the family, Christina Entcheva is married to a U.S. Citizen and is a Lawful Permanent Resident. The family is the epitome of the type of people who have made this country what it is and who the U.S. should want to live within its borders. Atanas and Mayia are nationally and internationally recognized experts in their fields who have contributed brilliantly and energetically to American institutions, and Enislav has been living in the U.S. since he was two years old and is a graduate of New Jersey public schools.

The immigration history of the family is long and complex. Atanas initially arrived in the U.S. on August 18, 1991 as a nonimmigrant exchange visitor and the recipient of the Humphrey Fellowship for Urban Planning at Rutgers University. The rest of the family arrived in 1992 and 1993 as family members. In 1993 they applied for Political Asylum, which was denied in 1996 based on changed country conditions in Bulgaria. The decision was timely appealed to the Board of Immigration Appeals. In the interim, Atanas became the beneficiary of a visa as an Outstanding Researcher or Professor. Their lawyer at the time failed to properly file a Motion to Reopen and Request for Remand and the BIA refused to remand the case to the Immigration Judge for reconsideration. The BIA denied the appeal in 2002. A subsequent appeal to the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals resulted in a remand to the Immigration Judge. The matter then made its way through the BIA and the Third Circuit, again. During the summer of 2011 the Third Circuit denied the last appeal and request for a stay.

As you are well aware, on June 17, 2011 ICE Director John Morton issued a memo to ICE Field Office Directors to provide guidance on the exercise of prosecutorial discretion. As has always been true pursuant to prior policy, prosecutorial discretion can be exercised at any point in the removal process, including after entry of an Order of Deportation. The memo lists the factors, both positive and negative, that should be considered when evaluating requests for prosecutorial discretion. An analysis of these factors shows that many positive factors and no negative factors apply to Atanas, Mayia and Enislav.

1. The agency’s civil immigration enforcement priorities According to Director Morton, ICE must prioritize its enforcement to ensure the aliens it removes represent threats to national security, border security, public safety and the integrity of the immigration system.

None of these descriptions apply to the Entchevs. On the contrary, in their time in the U.S., Atanas and Mayia have contributed to the well-being of numerous municipal, state and federal government agencies. Along the way they have made every effort to, and in fact did, comply with all immigration, federal, state and local laws.

2. The person’s length of presence in the U.S.,

with particular consideration given to presence while in lawful statustanas has been in the U.S. since 1991. Mayia and Enislav since 1992 and 1993. All three came to the U.S. on valid visas and remained in lawful nonimmigrant status throughout the duration of their stay. Only recently, in the summer of 2011, when the long complicated immigration process concluded did the family enter non-lawful status. Despite this, the family did not purposefully violate the deportation order. Rather, they were waiting for notification by mail that they had to leave the U.S. They did not realize that no such notification would arrive. For Enislav, the U.S. is the only home he has ever known. He has no memories of Bulgaria. He does not speak Bulgarian. He went to elementary, middle and high school in New Jersey, and attended Middlesex County College for two semesters before the requirement to pay out of state tuition became overly burdensome. The family has grown up together as Americans, in America for 20 years.

3. The circumstances of the person’s arrival in the U.S. and the manner of his or her entry, particularly if the alien came to the U.S. as a young child

Atanas entered the U.S. with the blessing of the U.S. government and a grant to study at Rutgers University. He excelled in his studies and began a successful and acclaimed career in Geographic Information Systems and shortly thereafter his family lawfully joined him in New Jersey. Enislav arrived when he was two years old.

4. The person’s pursuit of education in the U.S., with particular consideration given to those who have graduated from a U.S. high school or are pursuing a college degree

All three members of the Entchev family benefited from the U.S. education system. Mostnotably, Enislav completed all of his schooling at New Jersey public schools and obtained a GEDfrom New Brunswick Adult Learning Center. He is fondly remembered by teachers and administrators from his elementary school, high school and Middlesex County College. Enislav pursued a college education at Middlesex County College, and finished two semesters of study. However, because of his status he had to pay out of state tuition and could no longer afford to continue his studies. Atanas completed his post-graduate degree at Rutgers University. Both Atanas and Mayia have contributed tremendously to educational institutions throughout the Northeast. Atanas was an adjunct professor at Monmouth University. Mayia designed the Microsoft School of the Future, which is part of the Philadelphia Public School District and has won international awards. She is currently working on a $20,000,000 Charter School in Brooklyn, NY. She has received high praise for her work on an Elementary School in Monroe, NJ, as well as many other places.

5. Whether the person’s immediate relative has served in the U.S. military

None of the Entchevs have served in the U.S. military. However, while such service would be a positive factor, the absence of such service, particularly where it was not a viable option as a nonimmigrant, is not a negative factor, either.

6. The person’s criminal history, including arrests, prior convictions, or outstanding arrest warrants

None of the Entchevs have any criminal convictions or other negative reflections of character. Enislav was arrested for possession of marijuana, but the charges were dismissed when the person he was with admitted that the marijuana belonged to him and not Enislav. The person’s immigration history, including any prior removal, outstanding order of removal, prior denial of status or evidence of fraud

7. The person’s immigration history, including any prior removal, outstanding order of removal, prior denial of status or evidence of fraud

None of the Entchev’s have committed any immigration violations, been previously deported or removed, been accused of fraud or been denied status. Throughout their 20-year stay in the U.S. they have taken every effort and spent thousands of dollars to comply with immigration regulations. The only blemish in the otherwise spectacular history is the denial of the waiver of the two-year home residency requirement, for which USIA did not provide a reason. In 1997 Atanas was approved by the Immigration and Naturalization Services for a visa as an Outstanding Professor or Researcher. His native country, Bulgaria, waived the two-year home residency requirement, but the United States Information Agency denied the waiver, without providing a reason.

8. Whether the person poses a national security or public safety concern

Of course not. In 20 years no one has violated the law, been accused of any security related concern or public safety issue. On the contrary, Atanas and Mayia have contributed to the public safety of the residents of the Northeast U.S. and continue to contribute to local, state and federal governments. Atanas is currently involved in a project with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as Brick Township, Woodbridge Township, North Brunswick Township, Mount Laurel Township, Voorhees Township, Rutgers University, Monmouth University, City of Orange, Rowan University, Camden County, and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

9. The person’s ties and contributions to the community, including family relationships

The fourth member of the Entchev family, Christina, also arrived in the early 1990s. Three years ago she married a U.S. Citizen. In 2010 she received Lawful Permanent Resident status. She currently lives with her husband in Jersey City, NJ. The family is very close knit. They see each other at least once a week and speak more often than that. Christina and her husband work closely with Atanas. Atanas and Mayia are activiely involved in several community groups, including the Raritan Yacht Club, where Atanas volunteers his time to manage the website for the Hospice Regatta,which has raised over $60,000. Both Atanas and Mayia volunteer their time to conduct seminars, as well. Mayia is also an active member who contributes extensive time, energy and resources at a local tennis club.

10. The person’s ties to the home country and conditions in the country

The family has not been to Bulgaria in 20 years. Enislav has no memories of Bulgaria and does not speak Bulgarian. He does not know a single person in Bulgaria. For the last 14 years the family has unsuccessfully pursued political asylum from Bulgaria. While the courts were never satisfied that Atanas could meet the burden of proof for past persecution, there was never an inference from any judge or reviewer that the claims were frivolous or unfounded. Rather, the courts relied on the changed country conditions to deny the asylum claim. However, this does not mean Bulgaria would be a friendly place to the Entchevs. It has not been home to the Entchevs in 20 years; their home is in New Jersey.

11. The person’s age, with particular consideration given to minors and the elderly

Enislav is 21 years old. He has been in the U.S. since he was two years old. He is not a minor in calendar years, but he is a DREAM Act eligible individual who wishes to pursue a college education.

12. Whether the person has a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident spouse, child or parent

Atanas’s and Mayia’s daughter, and Enislav’s sister, is a permanent resident.

13. Whether the person is the primary caretaker of a person with a mental or physical disability, minor or seriously ill relative

This does not apply. But it is also not a negative factor.

14. Whether the person or the person’s spouse is pregnant or nursing

This does not apply. But it is also not a negative factor.

15. Whether the person or the person’s spouse suffers from severe mental or physical illness

This does not apply. But it is also not a negative factor.

16. Whether the person’s nationality renders removal unlikely

This does not apply. But it is also not a negative factor.

17. Whether the person is likely to be granted temporary or permanent status or other relief

from removal The only thing preventing Atanas and his family from obtaining permanent residence is a stubborn refusal to grant a waiver of the two-year home residency requirement where the home country has submitted its waiver. Since beginning acknowledged as an Outstanding Professor or Researcher and receiving a visa, Atanas has contributed to the welfare and success of so many American organizations, governments and businesses that he has returned America’s investment in him exponentially. Rather than requiring him to stay overseas for two years, we should be asking him to stay and never leave. Also, Atanas daughter has now gained permanent residence. This fact could lead to a reconsideration of the waiver. Christina gained her residence through marriage to a U.S. citizen, and will be eligible for citizenship herself in less than three years. At that time, she would undoubtedly petition for permanent residence for her parents and brother.

18. Whether the person is currently cooperating or has cooperated with federal, state or local law enforcement authorities

This does not apply. But it is also not a negative factor. The factors in the Morton Memo are not exhaustive, and no one factor is determinative. Decisions should be based on the totality of the circumstances with the goal of conforming to ICE’s enforcement priorities. One factor absent from the Memo is the good moral character of the person and the desirability of having that person remain in the U.S. Kind, charitable, well-liked, hard-working people are a commodity. As evidenced by the volume of character and professional references supplied on behalf of the Entchevs as a family and as individuals, this is an entire family of ideal Americans. These letters were collected in only a matter of days, without the help of Atanas and Enislav who are detained. Given some extended time, the letters from colleagues, friends, clients, neighbors and others will multiply. Another factor that must be considered is the potential passage of the DREAM Act. Although the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act failed to advance as an amendment to the defense bill in September 2010, it was re-introduced as a standalone bill days after. In April 2011, at least 25 Senators, including Dick Durbin, Richard Lugar, Charles Schumer, Harry Reid and Frank Lautenberg asked DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano to end the deportation of DREAM Act-eligible students, and specifically requested that deferred action be granted to those individuals. It is impossible to assert that deporting law-abiding, academically gifted, professionally accomplished, internationally recognized, communally accepted, DREAM Act eligible people who have called the U.S. home for twenty years is within the priorities of ICE.

Free Atanas!

Entchevs 20 year legal battle to stay here.

Randal Hale — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 12:10:32 GMT

Please read. While you are reading please remember that Atanas and his son are being held in a "Community Education Center". I called it Jail. That's pretty much everyone else calls it except the people running it.

But it looks so nice:

http://www.ca3.uscourts.gov/opinarch/104369np.pdf

Donate. Help.

Free Atanas.

Brian Timoney and James Fee ask you to help!

Randal Hale — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 11:59:34 GMT

Good People...A call to help.

Brian Timoney from MapBrief sums it all up - Please visit his blog.

A native of Bulgaria, Atanas came to the US in 1991 in the wake of the turmoil in Eastern Europe following the disintegration of the Iron Curtain, etc. The winding road of the 20-year legal saga can be found here. To a layman, it reads as a story of differing interpretations of perceived threat in a chaotic political climate and a litany of motions, counter-motions, and paperwork deadlines. Amid these gray areas of interpretation, there is no accusation of any type of criminal behavior on the part of Atanas or his family members during their 20-year stay here. Given that Atanas became firmly established professionally and his family lived the life of the educated middle-class, the question of “why deportation now?” lingers.

Having little faith in the efficacy of appealing to the better nature of politicians, I would nonetheless urge you to, in addition to the methods of support listed above, drop a line to Atanas’ Senate and Congressional representatives asking why taxpayer money is being wasted on imprisoning a non-criminal immigrant entrepreneur and his family members–

                     Congressman Frank Pallone (Atanas’ office is in his district)
                     Senator Frank Lautenberg
                     Senator Robert Menendez

James Fee from Spatially Adjusted has put out a call for donations:

If everyone who will read this post in the next 24 hours gives $3 to the Atanas Entchev support fund, we’ll have over $5,000 raised for Atanas’ defense. It doesn’t take much.

Donate. Help.

Free Atanas.

Plea for Help

Randal Hale — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 17:13:18 GMT

More news from the Entchevs. I was contacted by Mayia and Christina. This was taken from his blog www.tenthcave.com/ . There is a paypal link on that site to help with donations. I will be donating shortly.

After living legally in the United States for over 20 years, I was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on an immigration charge, and am currently facing deportation. My son Eni, 21, who came to the United States at the age of two, is also detained and wears an orange jumpsuit through no fault of his own. We continue to pursue all possible legal avenues to remain in the US – our home.

However, our 18-year immigration ordeal has depleted our resources. My detention is about to cripple my small IT consulting business. We cannot keep up with our growing expenses, and I have no other choice but to turn to the community for help.

I ask friends and sympathizers of our cause to donate to our legal fund. No donation is too small. Please spread the word.

Thank you for your kindness, and God bless you.

Posted for Atanas Entchev, by his daughter, Christina

As the owner of a small business, North River geographic Systems, Inc, I know how things can spin out of control quickly on a good day. I can't imagine being uprooted from your life and sent to a place you left 20 years ago.

More updates as they become available.

Free Atanas.

A Call for Help and Support for Atanas

Randal Hale — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 23:09:19 GMT

Good people, I come to you with a bit of distressing news. I just learned of this about an hour ago and am trying to spread the word as much as possible. I am a guest blogger but as of late I've been a bit too busy to blog.

If you've noticed Atanas has been quiet as of late. I have never met him. We've spoken multiple times over email and twitter. I count him as a professional colleague and a good friend. The goespatial industry is such that you always end up meeting everyone at some point. I have not doubt I will met Atanas at a conference/meeting/somewhere sooner than later. I still plan on doing just that. Apparently he is facing an issue - deportation - and is need of your support. He needs letters. I just sent my letter off 15 minutes ago.

The following was taken from John Reiser's blog at http://njgeo.org/2011/10/17/colleague-in-need-atanas-entchev/

I am writing you on behalf of my husband, Atanas Entchev, and our family. As you may know, Atanas and I emigrated to the U.S. from Bulgaria 20 years ago. Today, our immigration case is at a crossroads, and it is pertinent that we obtain letters of recommendation from the community. I am reaching out to you because you have been a colleague, client, or valued business contact of Atanas’. I am hoping you may be able to write a letter of recommendation for him. Time is of the essence, and it it crucial that we gather these letters as soon as possible, by today would be best.

If you are willing and able to write a letter of recommendation, your contribution will be invaluable to our case, and would be greatly appreciated by our family.
Please include your name, signature, address and phone number

Best would be if you can email the letters to:
mentcheva@hotmail.com & ericmarkesq@gmail.com
If not possible please fax to (201) 262-7640.

If you would like to get in touch with me, my contact information is listed below.

Thank you very much in advance, you help is greatly appreciated by our family.

Best,
Mayia Entcheva

I have sent my letter. I ask that you send yours.

The war for platform dominance is waged on the data format battlefield

Atanas Entchev — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 19:33:52 GMT

[UPDATE 9:54 PM 10/03/2011] A few corrections and clarifications:

First off, the Outlook Personal Folders (.pst) file format is no longer proprietary. It was proprietary when I migrated out of Outlook 7-8 years ago, but this is irrelevant today. My example was inappropriate. Instead of saying "Microsoft makes it difficult to get your data out of the PST file" I should have said "People don't know how to get data out of proprietary software".
It appears that I wasn’t clear about the point I was trying to make. Am I addressing a technical issue? Or is my point that the majority of today’s computer users are too obtuse to attempt something that is not spelled out for them in three easy steps?

I thank James Fee (@cageyjames) for correcting the factual inaccuracies and pointing out the vagueness in my post.

What I was trying to say is the following: System vendors, knowing that the vast majority of their users prefer “EASY” over “HARD”, make it EASY to stay, and HARD to leave. Important ammo in their arsenal is the proprietary data format.

This blog post is triggered by a Twitter exchange between Bryan McBride, Steven Romalewski, Don Meltz, Bill Dollins, and yours truly (@atanas).

There has been a lot of buzz about open source software lately, and rightfully so. But let's not forget that a system is only open if all its components are open. That includes the data formats that a system uses.

For example, it's not easy to abandon Microsoft Outlook (I know -- I've been through it, and I've done it) because Microsoft makes it difficult to get your data out of the PST file. So by the time Outlook users discover an alternative, it is already inconvenient to migrate for most. Users stay, Microsoft wins.

The war for platform dominance is waged on the format battlefield.

Municipal GIS quote of the year

Atanas Entchev — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 17:16:33 GMT

"The economics of "enterprise GIS" have been working against municipalities (especially the small ones) for some time now. It's essentially become hand-to-hand combat and really not worth the time. I'm not sure what that'll mean for the actual, legitimate needs that still remain at that level." --Bill Dollins (@billdollins), as posted on a Google+ discussion.

Display interactive zoning maps in Google Maps

Atanas Entchev — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:17:01 GMT

[UPDATE 09/29/2011] This is NOT the official zoning map for the municipality, only a proof of concept. Send me an email if you want me to put a map of your municipality on your website.

"You had me at PDF." (overheard at a municipal convention (not really, but believable)).

Most municipal websites nowadays are little more than giant PDF directories. And who can blame them, what with shrinking budgets and exorbitant costs of web development services and web GIS implementations?

But there's hope.

Below is an example of an interactive municipal zoning map hosted and served by Google at no expense to the taxpayers. Click on a zone to display its code and description. Pan. Zoom. The map is embeddable and can thus replace the downloadable PDF zoning maps currently standard on most municipal websites in New Jersey and elsewhere throughout the United States.

Interested? Drop us a line.

New Jersey Geospatial Forum (NJGF) September 16, 2011 meeting tidbits

Atanas Entchev — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 15:35:46 GMT

The quarterly NJGF meeting -- originally scheduled for 9/9/2011 -- was rescheduled for 9/16/2011 due to flooding in the Trenton area. I could not attend the 9/16 meeting, but here are a few tidbits from the meeting, courtesy of NJGF Executive Committee Chair Chris McClain:

The 2012 statewide orthophotography project has been canceled due to lack of funding. The announcement was made by Andy Rowan, Director of the NJ Office of GIS (NJOGIS) at the general meeting.
A new NJGF task force has been created to study alternate funding solutions and to outline the need for (fresh) orthophotography across the state.

The state of New Jersey has been updating the state-wide orthophotography every five years, going back to (at least) 1992. Digital orthophotography from 1997, 2002, and 2007 has been available publicly, and used widely by GIS practitioners and the public.

My friends in the aerial photography business often complain that the state orthophotography project has all but put them out of business (except the ones getting the state contract, of course). So from their point of view there is a silver lining in Andy's announcement -- maybe NJ counties and towns will contract for their own aerial photography next year.

Is map making a classical or a romantic exercise?

Atanas Entchev — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 22:36:44 GMT

On the subjects of "pretty", "intuitive", and other elusive and indefinable notions

I often hear or read about pretty or ugly maps; intuitive or unintuitive user interfaces. What jumps out at me from these discussions is that people don't always agree on what pretty or intuitive is. No surprise there.

Can "pretty" and "intuitive" be defined? Can they be understood? Or is trying to understand beauty through analysis exactly the wrong approach? There are formulae for beauty, the golden ratio being one example. But is there – or can there be – a universal understanding (and therefore definition) of what "pretty" is? The answer is, of course, no. If there were, then we would all be great artists, designers, architects. All one would have to do is apply the universally-accepted formula for beauty.

This is an age-old subject, studied at great length by humanity's greatest minds. Or more recently, beautifully summarized by Robert M. Pirsig in "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values".

Pirsig divides human understanding into two kinds - classical and romantic. He illustrates his concept thus:

"The classical mode proceeds by reason and by laws. The classic style is straightforward, unadorned, unemotional, economical and carefully proportioned. Its purpose is to bring order out of chaos. The romantic mode is primarily inspirational, imaginative, creative, and intuitive. Feelings rather than facts predominate. Motorcycle riding is romantic while motorcycle maintenance is purely classic."

So can (or should) a map be "pretty"? Can a UI be "intuitive"? And can the same person or group of people who made the map/program "work" also make them pretty/intuitive? As a student and follower of Pirsig's, I submit that it takes a person unconstrained by modern-day western specialization to achieve the synthesis of classic and romantic (or, rather, to avoid separating them in the first place). Such as Leonardo da Vinci. Or Steve Jobs. That person can be of any gender.

This blog post has been brewing in the back of my mind for some time. Its release was ultimately triggered by Brian Timoney's piece on The New Golden Age of Cartography.

Is open source GIS going mainstream? FOSS4G may just be the tipping point.

Atanas Entchev — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 04:20:00 GMT

I am pleasantly surprised that FOSS4G – the Open Source Geospatial conference to be held in Denver in September – is getting so much traction these days. I won't repeat everything that has already been written by Brian Timoney, Peter Batty, James Fee and Glenn Letham. Their articles will give you all the information you need, and all the reasons to attend the conference.

But I wonder whether we may be witnessing something bigger. Could we be seeing the turning of the tide here? Could open source geo finally be on the cusp of getting mainstream attention and acceptance, beyond the online echo chambers of geo-geekery? Brian Timoney thinks so, and so do I.

As if on cue to support my hypothesis, Cory Doctorow publishes an article in today's Guardian (UK) favoring Android over iOS. The Guardian is as mainstream as they come. And the article can safely be extrapolated to be about open source vs. proprietary in general, particularly about the resilience of open source.

Writes Cory:

"I prefer Android because it's [sic] relative openness means more people can and do inspect its workings to ensure it is doing what Google claims it is doing. I prefer Android because when Google decides to leave out a feature that users might want – such as tethering – the people making alternative OSes for the platform stick that feature in, and shame Google into adding it in subsequent versions."

"So why use Android? Because it requires less trust in Google than using iOS requires that you trust Apple."

There you have it – it's ultimately a choice between holding the reigns of your chariot and handing them over to someone who "knows best".

FOSS4G promises to be a watershed event in the evolution of the geospatial ecosystem on these shores. It also promises to be a lot of fun. Need convincing? Take a look at the masterfully-done two-minute video about the conference, featuring many of the organizers.

Why develop for the iPad

Atanas Entchev — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 23:01:23 GMT

Have you seen the Power Balance bracelets that so many elite athletes wear nowadays? I ordered one for myself today. And in doing so, I understood the power of the iPad. See, it’s not only (or so much) about what the product does – it is mostly about what it does FOR YOU.

I have made my fair share of iPad jokes. I have poked my fair share of fun at iPad-toting early adopters. I have been called a hater and worse because I do not automatically accept the obviously-apparent superiority of all Apple products.

But I am not a hater. I love my iPod. I have given a lot of money to iTunes. I just did not understand the post-rational devotion that drives 35 percent of consumers to want the iPhone 5, sight unseen. But I do now. Or, rather, I do not need to understand. I have accepted that it’s not only about what the product does, it is mostly about WHAT IT DOES FOR YOU.

iPad users develop an emotional attachment to their device. And this is fine. This is actually great. There is nothing wrong with making your users feel good. While it may be irrational and illogical, this attachment drives device purchases, it drives business.

Having thus matured my thinking (with Brian Timoney’s invaluable assistance), I am setting a new course for the mighty ship that is ENTCHEV GIS Architects – to the iPad ocean.

No more iPad/iPhone/Apple jokes. And please don’t make fun of me for wearing my Power Balance bracelet. It will give me an edge on the tennis court. I am positive.

How to design, build, and maintain a successful municipal GIS

Atanas Entchev — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 02:33:43 GMT

"'What would you do if you could change the educational system?'

'I'm not too sure what I'd do. I think I'd first just assemble all the children together and […] just make them vomit up every bit of the apple their parents and everybody made them take a bite out of.'"

--J. D. Salinger, Nine Stories, "Teddy"

Also:

"'Assembly of Japanese bicycle require great peace of mind.'"

--Robert M. Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance