For the past three days I’ve spent countless hours migrating from ArcIMS 4 to ArcIMS to 9.1. For those unfamiliar ArcIMS is the solution from ESRI for delivering dynamic maps and GIS data and services via the Web. Most mapping sites like Yahoo is using this software to serve maps to the internet. Basically ArcIMS allows an organization to:

• Deliver dynamic maps and data via the Web.
• Create easy-to-use, task-focused applications that use geographic content.
• Develop custom applications using industry-standard Web development environments.
• Share data with others to accomplish tasks.
• Implement GIS portals.

We basically use ArcIMS to allow Departments in the County and City to explore maps and information regarding parcels, zoning, streets, utilities, environmental health, election districts, construction projects, scenic resources and other geographic information.

The installation went fairly smooth and there were two of us doing the deed so moral support was at hand. We migrated to a brand spanking new server so we started clean. However, our troubles began after we copied over our sites and special codes from the old server to the new one. The web application display window would load empty content and we ended up tinkering with a bunch of settings and re-installing ArcIMS. As it turned out Win 2003 and IIS 6 did things a bit different than Win 2000 and IIS 5. The quirky thing was that the application display window worked fine in Firefox but not in Internet Explorer 6. Turns out that Internet explorer was sensitive to the URL of our output folder while Firefox was not. A little change and BAM our site was up and running. Thanks goes to or friend Mark from Fountains Spatial. The last thing was that we had to fix some issues with our Administrative backend. I have no idea what my Boss did after I left on Friday but that too seemed to have been fixed. All in all it was a good experience. Now I have to migrate a few applications to the new server and revamp the first page of our site as well as work on an application or two for public view.

I was a bit sad today to read that Silicon Graphics (SGI) is filing for chapter 11 bankruptcy. I remembered when my friends and I used to drool over the SGI 02 and displays. I actually remember them being the first company to showcase flat panel displays before they became popular. Also remember seeing SGI in the credits after watching Star Wars Episode I. Unfortunately, in recent years SGI have been offering a mixed bag of overpriced, Linux based workstations and Intel based supercomputers. That’s too bad coz they had some really cool looking computers and could have easily broken into the gamers market similar to what Alienware has done.

Starting today through June 30th, ABC is experimenting with streaming some of their prime-time shows on the web. Best of all it is free (at least for now). You will have to watch commercials as you do on regular TV but hey its free right this isn’t exactly ITMS. You’ll also have to watch these shows on your computer (I do anyway). ABC is streaming these shows via Flash video, so you can watch them on your Mac or PC (as long as you have Flash 8 installed). I tried it and it works pretty well so far.

It seems like everywhere I look on the web nowadays someone is talking about installing Win XP on those Intel Macs. Now FoxTrot is talking about it. Its kinda interesting that when I first heard that Apple was switching to Intel chips the first thing I thought was perhaps now Windows users can actually install OS X on their machines. I didn't really imagine it the other way around that the annoying, buggy OS that I ditched for a Mac at home would now be finding its way on Macs and Mac blogs of all sorts. I used to think this annoying but have changed my mind just a bit after I learned that the Mac actually runs Win XP better than a lot of PCs out there and also that Apple has released boot camp. Now Macs (provided that you have one with an Intel chip) have become one computer to run them all. The geek inside says cool! But the warning in my head still says danger Windows has now taken up residence on my Mac real estate. BTW I'm still running a Mini with a PowerPC chip and is Windows free at least at home.

I just got back from a family vacation to my homeland of Jamaica a few days ago and it was such a wonderful time I’m till a bit relaxed. Unfortunately for this blog I’ve been taking things too easy and haven’t written much in the last couple of days. I’m still putting together the memories from the trip. in the meantime I’ve posted some photos on my website at: http://web.mac.com/catt4/iWeb/greycube/Jamaica.html . I was very busy everyday hopping from one parish to the next and had one day on the beach but I didn’t miss much. Will post my daily logs for our excursions later.

Today we flew to Jamaica!! I haven't been there in 17 years. While we were in the airport at Orlando there was a lady (don't recall her name) with lots of baggage and a a little girl name Sky she was a little less than 2 years old. Sky kept fussing and since the lady had lots of bags my brother decided to be a gentleman and help her. she was appreciative of the help and we got to play a bit with Sky at a distance while she sat across from us waiting on the plane. After what seemed like a 1/2 hour of waiting we were off. I remember being excited and looking forward to the trip. We boarded the plane and was greeted by a friendly Jamaican stewardess with a nice Jamaican accent it was really nice to here the accent, I knew that I was headed for fun in the sun. Our captain had dreadlocks how cool… most of the folks on the plane was Jamaican also. After waiting on the ground for a while for some items to clear customs were were on our way.

We arrived in Jamaica with a fairly smooth ride sometime after 6PM UST. It was nice to view the mountains from the air and I snapped a few photos from the plane. Drats the wing was kinda in the way a little. After landing at Sangster Airport in Montego Bay we checked in with our travel agent and some guy came and loaded our baggage and dropped them off under a tent. We gave him some $ for tip and he complained so we gave him some more. We didn't think that carrying our bags a few feet warranted a $1000 JA which was the next highest bills we had. He didn't even explain to us why we were under a tent. We quickly figured out that this was where a bus was to pick us up for the hotel. We stood under this tent waiting for a bus to pick us up for at least 30 minutes. To make matters worst we were hungry and tired since they didn't feed us anything substantial on the plane and we were up early. After we inquired as to where the bus was and when it was coming we were told one was on the way. In Jamaica on the way could mean 10 minutes or another hour. After another 30 minutes the bus showed up and a young man came out and loaded our bags. By this time a few other folks had made it to the tent and playing the same waiting game we were. The driver remarked that he wasn't supposed to be there at all he just happened to show up and there we were. I was glad that he just happened to show up to say the least. By the time we loaded up and headed out it was dusk. We were on our way to the hotel in Ocho Rios which would take us almost 2 hours to reach. The first things that I noticed were all the hills with the large houses scattered on top of them, the blue water on my left, a nice golf course, a couple jogging by and some really beautiful overhanging trees. I also noticed the bumpy roads which our driver warned us about and referred to as a free massage. Apparently, a new road had been milled but not completed yet so we had to drive on this stuff for miles. Reminded me of Ithaca just a little bit in this regard.

After more scenic views and free massages and a few drop offs at hotels with the names Sandals, Pebbles and Riu we finally arrived at our hotel (Rooms on the Beach) and checked in. We were all very tired and hungry at this point but wanted to unload our stuff and go hunting for something to eat so we proceeded to the rooms. Upon entering the room I was greeted by a slight odor. It smelled like chlorine mixed with must of some kind. My Mom and I decided to check out my brother's room and that smelled like a guy's dorm room that had dirty socks all over it. It was stuffy and musty. My brother decided that he needed his room cleaned or changed so he reported this to the front desk who gave him a bit of a hard time. They didn't really confirm that they would switch his room. He got frustrated and simply left in search of food. All in-all the place smelled more like a camp that had not been aired out properly rater than a hotel. The building itself was nice though and the views of the beach was quite nice.

For food we met up with some relatives we had also staying at the same hotel who took us to this street vendor in the town of Ocho Rios. We paid about $300 JA for the food and although it wasn't what we wanted to order it was very good. The spices there are just so much more flavorful than here. We had rice and peas (kidney beans) with brown stew chicken. We wanted some fish but they had ran out. I also had some ginger drink that was quite refreshing. We took all this back to the hotel and ate on the patio are next to the pool and the nice ocean view. We rounded off our meal with a few mangoes from the relatives. We stayed there talking and enjoying the view until about 11:30 then I went up to prepare to go to sleep. We were scheduled to visit relatives the next morning so I wanted to get some sleep before then. I don't remember getting that much sleep first of all my bed had that camp like odor and i was a bit stuffy and second there was a lot of reggae music coming from downstairs until well after 3AM in the morning. Somehow I woke up and wasn't feeling all that tired though. I also have to admit that it felt good to here reggae music playing into the night again.

I’ve been meaning to put a little resource together for iWeb users out there. These aren’t necessarily iWeb sites perse but some helpful resources that I’ve found while using iWeb. Before we go any further there is a book coming out that you can pre-order called “Take Control of iWeb“, with this book you can jump start iWeb and learn a few tricks. Specifically, Learn to make a Web site and publish photos, blogs, movies, podcasts, and more with Apple’s new iWeb! (2) 11 Mystics This should be number one but I had to get that book in before I forgot it. Suzanne has been modifying the mess out of iWeb since it first came out and she’s made all sort of templates, icons, photo frames and other goodies available for download. She also has a nice set of picture frame and track-lights available for $10.95. Suzanne you should be part of the iWeb development team in Cupertino. (3) iWeb enhancer-a small add-on app for iWeb that can insert all sorts of blogging tools into your sites such as Flickr pics, AdSense, YouTube videos, blogrolls and more. (4) Icomments 3.0- lets you add a real comments feature to you blogs and photocasts in iWeb. You can read more about it here. (5) Macworld article called “Bending iWeb to your Will“- helpful article on how to customize iWeb to your taste. (6) iWebsites-allows users to have multiple websites that are completely independent of each other (if you want to develop multiple websites with iWeb this is a must have).