SQL Server 2008 supported by VS 2005 (not 2008!)

After loading some spatial data into the November CTP release of SQL Server 2008 I opened up VS 2008 Server Explorer and tried to connect a database, but received the error “Only server versions up to Microsoft SQL Server 2005 are supported.” I found a patch for VS 2005, but evidently you’ll have to wait until VS 2008 SP1 is released in order to connect via VS 2008. In the meantime you’ll need to use VS 2005 with SQL Server 2008.

Virtual Earth support for SQL Server 2008?

I’m comparing Google Maps versus Virtual Earth right now, and one of the deciding factors is spatial data support. With the upcoming release of SQL Server 2008 spatial support, will VE be able to read these new WKB and WKT types natively? I saw a news release from Microsoft indicating several partners have developed this capability for their products, but was looking for information on whether or not it will become part of the VE api. It would be a plus if VE could read SQL Server geometry and render them automatically without additional coding.

Firefox tabs for ArcGIS Server Dev

When I start developing I know I’m automatically going to be visiting several reference web sites. After a while, I got annoyed that I was repeatedly opening the same sites every day. So I figured out a way to eliminate the extra mouse moves and keyboard strokes. I’m a big proponent of FireFox, which has a nice add-in called Session Manager that can be used to save individual web sessions.

Once you download and install it, launch FireFox and open up a new tab for each site you may need to reference during your development experience. These could range from EDN, MSDN, Code Project, and the like. I personally load up multiple EDN pages (i.e. ArcObjects/ADF/SOAP apis), our internal wiki, internal Trac site, and of course Google. You can then save the session and be able to come in the next morning and pop it back open. Ready-Set-Code.

GeoCommons and Disruptive Technologies

A parallel to Dave’s disruptive technology concept in reference to the GeoCommons squabbling is what’s happened to the survey industry. There you have a complex science of geodesy and measurement technologies like RTK GPS. Then Garmin and others came out with their handhelds and the surveying industry threw a fit (and still is). The beef is that now you have put complex technology in the hands of the masses who can blatently and unknowingly misuse it.

Sounds like the same as geospatial technology where there are those that know how to develop and apply it, and others with not-so-much knowledge using ‘neat’ Web 2.0 apps with Google Maps, VE, Yahoo Maps, etc. In general, the value of pushpin mashups is trivial, but unfortunately that is the way GIS is now marketed. Heck, my family wouldn’t even understand my profession if I couldn’t explain it in reference to Google Maps.

So does the GIS industry embrace Where 2.0 or move against it’s disruptive technology tendency? Certainly you can’t ignore Where 2.0 because, from a development standpoint, you’re going to need it at some point. It’s just another technology merge. The GIS industry has a chance to take back it’s thunder by blowing away these current silly mashups with real analytical capabilities through Where 2.0 technology.