Python Fundamentals Part 1

The goal of this weeks assignment was to create a Python script that would take anyones full name and select the last name, count the number of letters in the last name, then multiply that by three. This was a short six line script that took me way too long to complete. I guess my brain has not wrapped itself around how programming should look yet.

To create the final output of the name and digits to be prints required a couple easy steps. First was to set the variable of the full name. Next was to split the name into a list so that the last name could be selected and counted. The last step was to print the results above.

Geoprocessing in ArcGIS

In this weeks assignment I had to create a tool through the ArcGIS model builder, export it as a Python script, modify it to work as a standalone script, then re-test it within ArcGIS. The model was built to examine the area within a basin that would make for suitable farming land. First the land was clipping to just the study area, then just the area that is suitable for farming was selected and remained.

Your health depends on where you live

Where you live can effect where your health. Bill Davenhall is a expert that works in ESRI’s health and human services field since the early seventies. Currently Davenhall is the global manager of Esri's Health and Human Service Solutions Group at its headquarters in Redlands, California. Because of that his TED talk is a little slanted to boring in more business for ESRI. This is something that he should have disclosed at the beginning of this talk so that the audience was better informed about where his motives where located.

In this video Davenhall discusses that where you live effects your health. What air you breath and what food you put in your mouth can play a big role in what you are feeling and what diseases you acquire. He points out that there are many maps out there that can show you what pollutants are in the area from a macro to a micro scale.

Since your environment can play a role in your health he discusses how doctors should be educated to also look at this when treating and preventing diseases. With the new electronic healthcare system that your location could be tracked to better be able to treat patients.

http://www.ted.com/talks/bill_davenhall_your_health_depends_on_where_you_live