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Town of Culpeper, VA Launches New Online GIS System By SiteVision, Inc.

18 January 2014
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Categories: Custom Web Applications, Custom Website Development, Geographic Information Systems, Hosting Solutions, Mobile Solutions, News, Public Agency Solutions, Software As A Service Solutions

Roanoke, VA January 18, 2014: The Town of Culpeper, VA has formally launched its new online GIS System (http://townofculpeperva.gisbrowser.com).  SiteVision, Inc. (http://www.sitevision.com) is providing the new GIS system as software as a service (SAAS) under a Commonwealth of Virginia Hosting Contract which is available to all public agencies (local, regional, state), and to other states as well.  SiteVision developed the site to be cross-platform compatible and accessible via mobile devices.

Culpeper, VA GIS System by SiteVisionPrior to selecting SiteVision, Inc. as its SaaS/hosting vendor, The Town of Culpeper GIS and IT Department surveyed the needs of its residents and system stakeholders.  The Town then outlined the necessary and most requested mapping functions, layers, data sources, reports, tools, etc. to be required in their new online GIS system.   

SiteVision first began working with the Town to help establish CAD and GIS data interoperability standards, maintenance procedures, and to create and test related Internet map services.  These initial tasks\services were contracted by the Town to SiteVision, Inc. through the Commonwealth of Virginia’s IT Contingent Labor Contract.

The Town of Culpeper’s new system utilizes more than 30 map services from several sources including SiteVision, Inc., the Town of Culpeper, Culpeper County, Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI), and the Commonwealth of Virginia.   The Town maintains all of their own GIS and CAD data and uploads their data updates to the new online GIS system at least once a month. 

CulpepperGIS_system2Users may query and access real estate tax and assessment database record(s) and related tax map parcels, download property cards, and view points of Interest (Police, Fire, Schools, etc.) with notes and links to more information.   The user can draw and measure features on the map, locate GPS points or coordinates, and save, copy or print a custom map.  The system also allows users to download reports and tables in Adobe or MS Excel format. 

Culpeper VA GIS 3“We tried to incorporate the most requested new features into the project,” said GIS coordinator Autumn Fitch. “The biggest thing is that it is cross compatible with so many browsers.”  –Star Exponent, Posted: Tuesday, November 12, 2013 12:15 am | Updated: 6:29 am, Tue Nov 12, 2013. 

The overall project stayed within the existing GIS budget with no additional costs to taxpayers, according to the town. –Star Exponent, Posted: Tuesday, November 12, 2013 12:15 am | Updated: 6:29 am, Tue Nov 12, 2013. 

Daniel Shaffer, Director, Geospatial Division for SiteVision, added “With today’s economy, many public agencies are stuck in legacy online GIS systems with no foreseeable way out.  Our SaaS plans allow public agencies to migrate to the latest systems while spending little to no upfront fees or costs. The agency pays for the SaaS service on a flexible monthly, quarterly or yearly schedule.” 

“It was a privilege working with the Town of Culpeper,” said Patrick Maddox, CEO of SiteVision.  “They did a careful assessment of their needs and were highly professional to work with.  The result is an outstanding GIS system designed with the most recent features available.”  

SiteVision, Inc. (www.sitevision.com) is an Internet application development, consulting, design and hosting firm providing solutions for a broad spectrum of markets and industries, as well as for state, federal and international entities. Expertise includes custom, back-end dynamic applications, consulting to achieve unique goals, geographic information systems (GIS), content management systems, hosting services including, map and GIS application hosting, as well as custom and dedicated hosting solutions.  

SiteVision, Inc. participates in, or is available through, the following state and federal contracting vehicles: 

 The firm has its home office in Roanoke, VA, with sales offices in Charlottesville, VA and Miami, FL. 

 

SiteVision News & Tips November 2013

4 November 2013
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Categories: Information, Mobile Solutions, News, Security, Technology

 IN THE NEWS

win8.1_btdesktop2

Win 8.1 Arrives – Boot To Desktop and Sync.

It’s kind of ironic that Microsoft managed to annoy nearly everyone with Win 8, and has now spent the past year compensating for the havoc it wreaked. This is not to say there aren’t some real improvements in 8.1. Most reviewers feel it’s a positive upgrade (free) that helps correct a confusing interface and adds some new features.

For many however, the return of the start button reigns supreme. More importantly, perhaps, is the ability to boot to desktop with a simple point and click.

 

 

 

Here’s how:

Other improvements include a baked-in Sky Drive, faster shutdown, IE 11, a more unified smart search with Bing, and the ability to resize app tiles, to name but a few.

Will this be enough to convince small business and consumers to abandon earlier versions of Windows? Time will tell, but Microsoft has some substantial credibility issues to overcome.

By the way, for IT pros Zdnet has a free ebook written by Ed Bott: Introducing Windows 8.1 for IT Professionals. More on Win 8.1 can be found at Information Week and Technology Guide[divider]

PHP.Net Confirms Malicious Malware Attack:

php logoThe security breach was confirmed last week after Google’s “Safe Browsing” service blacklisted the site. The PHP group initially thought the warning was a false positive, but a more thorough investigation shows malicious JavaScript code was injected into one of the site’s files. That coded executed exploits from a third party website that, if successful installed a piece of malware on visitors’ computers.

According to PHP, two servers were compromised and all services on those computers have been migrated off. PHP will reset user passwords, has revoked their old SSL certificate and is in process of getting a new certificate. More at PHP.Net, PC World

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3D Printers Hot Ticket Item:

3d-printed-headphonesWhile some may think of it as child’s play, 3D printing may be the beginning of a new paradigm for manufacturing, prototyping, computing and science. For example, NASA will be getting into the act by sending a 3D printer with its astronauts to manufacture (rather than haul) some of the tools they need. The pretty cool headphones pictured here at Wired were designed by Teague Labs’ John Mabry as a project.

According to Gartner, consumer and enterprise 3D printer shipments are growing at 95.4% and revenue at 81.9% from 2012 through 2017. Gartner predicts the 3D printer market will grow from $288 million to more than $5.7 billion by 2017. More at Techcrunch and Elite Daily

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Quick Takes

LightbeamMozilla releases Lightbeam an application that lets you know who is watching you online. When you activate Lightbeam and visit a website, this add-on creates a real time visualization of all the third parties that are active on that page. See more at Zdnet

Guardly_beacon-screenDoes walking alone at night give you the creeps? If you have a Smartphone, several new personal safety apps act as your guardian. Although most are subscription based, the small costs could be a real life-saver. One example for college students: Guardly Safe Campus. Others from TechHive are here.

 

 

Apple’s OS X Mavericks 10.9.

The good news: it’s free and it further refines the OS. The other news: there’s nothing particularly stellar or innovative. See more at Techcrunch, Engadget, Cnet

 

SiteVision To Create Custom Mobile Application For Western Virginia EMS Council

8 June 2013
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Categories: Emergency Preparedness, Healthcare Solutions, Mobile Solutions, News

WVEMS_logoRoanoke, VA June 8, 2013:  The Western Virginia Emergency Medical Services Council (WVEMS) has implemented a strategy to make EMS Protocols readily available to all EMS personnel via a mobile application for iOS and Android platforms.  SiteVision, Inc. will create the mobile application.

The new application means that personnel in the field will have the emergency manual of protocols and procedures instantly available on their mobile devices whenever and wherever required.  The protocols give specific procedures for emergency situations based on a clickable comprehensive decision tree in a PDF format.   The protocols and procedures range from initial patient care evaluation to exacting responses for diverse airway, cardiac, injury, environmental, OB-GYN and other emergency situations. The manual also includes an updated medication reference.

wvems_mobile2SiteVision’s role is to create the Mobile application and updates, and to provide application documentation, quality assurance, project administration, testing and deployment to the appropriate platforms. As a major advantage, users will be able to easily download the application from the iOS or Android App stores.  Then, as protocols or procedures change and the application is updated, EMS personnel will receive automatic push notification of updates as they occur for immediate downloading.

WVEMS is a regional council under the auspices of the Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services.  The combined councils are dedicated to facilitating regional cooperation, planning and the implementation of an integrated Emergency Medical Services system throughout Virginia.  The Council is also involved in performance improvement, continuing education and all pertinent EMS related events.

SiteVision, Inc. (www.sitevision.com) is an Internet application development, consulting, design and hosting firm providing solutions for a broad spectrum of markets and industries, as well as for state, federal and international entities. Expertise includes custom, back-end dynamic applications, consulting to achieve unique goals, geographic information systems (GIS), content management systems, hosting services including, map and GIS application hosting, as well as custom and dedicated hosting solutions.

SiteVision, Inc. participates in, or is available through, the following state and federal contracting vehicles:

The firm has its home office in Roanoke, VA, with sales offices in Charlottesville, VA and Miami, FL.

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SiteVision Partners With Salem Rotary Club For New Website

17 May 2013
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Categories: Content Management Systems, Custom Website Development, Mobile Solutions, News

Rotary Club of Salem

Roanoke, VA May 17, 2013: The Rotary Club of Salem, Virginia has a new web presence. (www.rotaryclubofsalem.org/).  The firm’s updated presence implements a content management system (CMS) designed to allow publishing, editing and modifying content from a core interface. Users will find an attractive, more interactive experience utilizing the site.

The new CMS eliminates complex coding and creates client control over HTML-based content, files, documents, and the like. One or multiple users at various permission levels may change content easily within a familiar word processing environment.  SiteVision’s role was to provide the design structure, tools and training to get the site up and running with the Club providing content.  The new site is also responsive, meaning it is automatically optimized for the device being used such as mobile phones and tablets. A handy “Events” feature lets members see upcoming meetings at a glance and get a recap of any they missed.

The Rotary Club of Salem is a civic organization of over 130 active individuals located in the Roanoke Valley of southwest Virginia. Its members include community leaders such as business professionals, non-profit administrators, entrepreneurs, and government officials all of whom share a dedication to the Rotary ideal of Service Above Self.  Through its fundraising the Club makes substantial contributions to charitable and community enhancements in the City of Salem, the Roanoke Valley and around the world.

SiteVision, Inc. (www.sitevision.com) is an Internet application development, consulting, design and hosting firm providing solutions for a broad spectrum of markets and industries, as well as for state, federal and international entities. Expertise includes custom, back-end dynamic applications, consulting to achieve unique goals, geographic information systems (GIS), content management systems, hosting services including, map and GIS application hosting, as well as custom and dedicated hosting solutions.

SiteVision, Inc. participates in, or is available through, the following state and federal contracting vehicles:

The firm has its home office in Roanoke, VA, with sales offices in Charlottesville, VA and Miami, FL.

 

SiteVision News & Tips: May 2013

3 May 2013
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Categories: Information, Mobile Solutions, News, Technology

PasswordsNew Rules for SiteVision Email!

To comply with Anti-Spam regulations and standards:

As of April 16, new passwords must: be at least 8 characters long and contain a capital letter, lower case letter, and number.

By now, you are surely aware of our new email account requirements, limits and password requirements.  It’s become a really critical issue for you and for all of us in the digital world.

In an internal review, we have discovered that most of your SiteVision email passwords could be easily hacked using a standard desktop computer.

Since nonsensical passwords can be difficult to remember, consider using a pass-phrase that reminds you of something, or is familiar.  Examples:  iLuv2shop,  d0n’tskipLunch, meetMyQu0ta, and so forth.

For the full scoop visit this article at our Help Desk and our tutorial on passwords

Helpful Email Tips

Use Unique Passwords for Your Important Accounts. Never use the same passwords for your important banking, stock, healthcare and personal information accounts. Hackers test stolen passwords and user-names from a particular site across many Internet sites, meaning your identity and banking and stock resources could be severely compromised with single use passwords. Give each of these account types a unique password!

Keep your password reminders in a Safe Place. Most of us couldn’t’t possibly remember all of our passwords to all of the sites we commonly use. So, if you decide to save your passwords, don’t leave notes with your passwords lying around in plain sight. If you save your passwords in a file, create a unique name for the file, so that people don’t know what’s inside. Avoid giving the file an obvious name, such as “my passwords.”

convertible_No More Parking Tickets?

Several clever new mobile apps not only help you park, but check your meter and find your car, too. ParkMe for Apple displays the closest parking and real time availability.  Another, HONK, for iPhone & iPad checks your meter, records where you parked your car and reminds you where to find it again.  Waze, for Apple and Android, is a social GPS app lets you get up to the minute traffic, detours and such from fellow travelers.  Take a look at this USA Today video here.  You can also visit the app sites:  ParkMe  Honk  Waze

Google-GlassDevs:  If  You Don’t Play Nice, Google Will Brick Your Google Glasses.

For those of you developers who rushed to purchase Google Glasses for development purposes and paid a hefty price, don’t get silly and try to sell, rent, loan or otherwise try to make a penny or two off of your prized possession.  Best to stick to the challenge at hand:  developing apps for the device. Cnet gives you the details

 Mycestro-the-next-generation-mouseAw, Our Beloved Mouse Is Probably Going, Going, Gone!

How long have we had that faithful little companion around?  Would you believe about 60 years?  And  now, it seems inevitable, perhaps, that mousey will bite the dust.  Here’s one example of a 3D finger-mounted device called Mycestro that’s in the works.

javaiconHoly Moly! Oracle Fixes 42 Holes in Java.

In an effort to calm the stormy seas, Oracle has released a patch that fixes not one, not two, but 42 Java vulnerabilities.  While some recommendations have included disabling Java entirely, many companies have legacy software that relies on Java and have pushed for safer implementation. You can read about it here.

 

 

SiteVision News & Tips: iOS Gains Market Share, Internet Taxes Soon?

4 April 2013
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Categories: Mobile Solutions, News, Technology, Uncategorized

[image source_type=”attachment_id” source_value=”4923″ align=”left” size=”Small 150 width”]

iOS Now Gets 58% Share of the Mobile Enterprise Market

Although Apple’s operating system has increased share, according to Citrix (who aggregated data from its customers), there are some caveats.  Where business is communicating with consumers directly, such as in retail, IOS has maintained, even increased, its lead overall.  On the other hand, where there are mobile workforces in the field such as in transportation and utilities, Android is the preferred OS.  Plus, Android is the fastest growing platform in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.  Windows mobile OS is sadly insignificant except in Europe, Middle East and Africa, where it shows a 21% market share.  You can read more of this interesting report here with at-a-glance graphic comparisons of various OS market attributes.
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Will Apple Up Its Game with Apple iPhone 5S (uh, 6)?

With some pretty slick handsets already out there by Samsung, Sony, HTC and Google, will Apple reevaluate its game plan?  Rumors abound.  Many suggest we’ll see an iPhone 5s in the June, July time frame, and an iPhone6 later on.  Will we see a faster processor, better camera and new software (perhaps the iOS7 update)?  Is a fingerprint reader in the mix, or NFC? Will we see a plethora of color options?  A special “Home” button?   Personally, and as a new Nexus4  owner, I’m thinking Apple may be getting a little long in the tooth, especially at Apple price points.  So will they concentrate on a lower cost unit to appeal to both the Euro, Asia markets?  Or will they tempt us with a truly noteworthy model that both surprises and pleases? Here are some links from the rumor mill:  TechRadar  GottaBMobile  IBTimes
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Buh-Bye Google Reader!

Uh-Oh.  In a roar heard round the world, RSS Google Reader users begged, pleaded with and cursed those at Google who decided to kill it.  One publication showed the familiar RSS button on the face of a tombstone.  And dead it is, apparently, as of July 1st.  So what’s next?  One app, Feedly, apparently picked up some 500,000 converts practically overnight, so to speak.  So if you like to get tailored news feeds whether for technology, personal or enterprise purposes, it’s time to look elsewhere. Cnet has some suggestions, as does The Verge and Forbes – all good starting points to strike out on your own.
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Congress Considering Legislation To Force Sales Tax Payment Online

Brick and Mortar retailers like Walmart, Best Buy and others want it to level the playing field.  Online sellers like eBay, and online catalog companies don’t.  In the recent non-binding  budget vote, the Senate approved a proposal to authorize states to collect sales tax on Internet and catalog transactions between their residents and out-of-state retailers. Presently, state tax authority over retail transactions extends only to retailers with a physical presence in the jurisdiction.  Sure to be hugely controversial,  here are a few articles worth reviewing whether you have a dog in the fight, just regularly purchase online, or are a smaller online seller.  The Tax Foundation  Business Week TechCrunch
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More Java Breaches, Fixes, New Phone Tablet . . .

3 March 2013
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Categories: Information, Mobile Solutions, News, Security, Technology

[image source_type=”attachment_id” source_value=”4776″ align=”left” size=”Small 150 width” quality=”100″] Java Problems Ongoing.  Are You At Risk?

As we outlined last month, the serious flaws in Oracle’s Java7 were enough to set the industry abuzz with criticism.  Since our last newsletter remaining flaws in Java7 permitted attacks on Facebook and Apple, though the companies claimed no customer or user data was compromised.  Twitter warned that about 250,000 user accounts were compromised.

In essence if you are running an outdated version of Java you are at risk.  Oracle has scrambled to provide fixes.  The most recent came in early February and contained some 50 security fixes; then another February 19 with several additional fixes. According to PC World, the latest update, Java 7 (Update 15) and Java 6 (Update 41), address five additional vulnerabilities that couldn’t be included in the emergency Java update that Oracle released on Feb. 1 due to time constraints.

For the average user who may be confused, uninitiated and wary, geek.com has provided a handy guide for disabling Java in your browsers.  It should be noted that all browsers as well as Windows, OS-X, and Linux operating systems are vulnerable.

Furthermore, according to Information Week mobile developer sites were targeted in the recent attacks, so if you are a mobile developer and feel you’ve been compromised, it’s critical that you check your source code. We’ve included some helpful links if you want to further explore the issue:  Information Week, geek.com, PC World, Oracle Java topics, Oracle downloads

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ASUS FonepadHello!  A Tablet That Can Call Home.

The Asus Fonepad is what many of us have been waiting for:  A tablet that’s a phone that’s a tablet.  Who wants to carry a slew of devices around to talk, type, hype and chat?  In short Fonepad is a 7″ Android tablet that features 3G data and voice capabilities.

But, is it really the bomb?  Do you really want to hold a 7” tablet up to your ear?  For some, perhaps, who rely on speakerphone, no big deal?  For others, probably, no way!  As one reviewer put it:  who wants to hold something up to your ear that blocks out the sun?

On the other hand the Fonepad is expected to be relatively inexpensive (about $250 US), resembles the Nexus 7 in many respects, and adds a phone into the mix.  So use the phone or not, it’s there at a very decent price.  Asus hasn’t  yet given a US release date, so for the moment we can wait and see how it’s received in the UK and Asia.

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Do Operating Systems Matter Anymore?

While they certainly will matter on the back end — to the average user, the operating system is becoming less and less important.

Why?  For starters, a proliferation of device sizes, shapes, capabilities and operating systems are now in direct competition with the traditional PC model.  Furthermore, Software As A Service (SAAS) is dynamically affecting how we receive and use applications for business and pleasure.

As a business owner, I might utilize several servers, a cloud-delivered custom customer relations management system, and a proprietary accounting system; permit a BYOD environment for certain employees, and use, say, Google Docs or Windows for my daily word processing and spreadsheet applications.

It hasn’t been so long ago that the Microsoft OS had us pretty locked into a rigid my way or the highway mentality. Surely you remember the blue screen of death.  Surely you remember that your primary OS choices were Windows or Apple.  Application delivery is a fast shifting paradigm, and it will be fascinating to see how it coalesces, or, indeed, if it does; and whether it even matters. Here’s more if you want to explore:  Forbes.  Computerworld.

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Welcome New Clients!

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March Maintenance Schedule

March 19th @ 5pm

Please contact us if you experience any problems.

SiteVision News & Tips: February 2013

4 February 2013
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Categories: Information, Mobile Solutions, News, Security

[image source_type=”attachment_id” source_value=”4777″ align=”left” size=”Small 150 width” quality=”99″] Beware! Browsers Using Java Still Vulnerable After Oracle “Fix”

Unfortunately, according to numerous experts, it boils down to the fact that Java is flawed.  Period!  View an infected web page and get infected. Oracle’s new edition of Java – the fix issued on January 13, (Version 7, Update 11) –  is already “busted.”

Since then numerous new vulnerabilities have been discovered.  The new flaws, like the earlier highly publicized one, permit an unsigned Java program to break out of its sandbox and do as it pleases with the victim’s computer.

In brief, the current issues are with Java from Oracle which does not run on android, but does run on Windows, OS-X, and Linux – an enormous user base.  Importantly, this can be true in all browsers and versions – in one instance even with the Java Control Panel set on the “Very High” setting.

Adam Gowdiak of Security Explorations in his posting said, “… recently made security “improvements to Java SE 7 software don’t prevent silent exploits at all. Users that require Java content in the web browser need to rely on a Click-to-Play technology implemented by several web browser vendors in order to mitigate the risk of a silent Java Plugin exploit.”

Sadly, according to Michael Horowitz, Computuerworld, “that advice is only useful to techies that understand both Java and Click-to-play.”  According to Horowitz the best strategy for Windows and Mac users is to uninstall Java and hope nothing breaks.

And while this discussion deals with online hazards, offline use has no restrictions in applications at all, with the only cure that of uninstalling Java completely.   Horowitz has a good article on how to be as safe as possible here
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NoAs of Now, Unlocking Your Cell Phone Is Illegal Without the Permission of the Carrier Who Locked It . . .

In a rather esoteric (some might call it bizarre)  interpretation by the Librarian of Congress of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, if you want an unlocked phone you now have to buy it that way.

No more unlocking by alternative means, if you get my drift.  The new rule basically says you can’t buy a new highly discounted carrier phone and then unlock on your own. You must have the carrier’s permission.

I guess we’ll see how that works for us, huh? Lots of petitions in the works.  Sure to be more to come.
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Virus ProtectionBest Android Apps to Help Keep Your Smartphone Safe

As Smartphones proliferate, so do the dangers.  AV-Test,  an international and independent service provider in the fields of IT security and anti-virus research, says after inspecting 41 different virus scanners for Android,  about half of these scanners are not yet suitable for use as reliable products.

In general, the tried and true come from the desktop products you are familiar with.  The best products in their 2012 tests (with detection rates of 90% and above) were in alphabetic order: Avast, Dr. Web, F-Secure, Ikarus, Kaspersky, Lookout, McAfee, MYAndroid Protection/MYMobile Security, NQ Mobile/NetQin and Zoner.

Note that new 2013 testing has already begun, but you can check out their existing results here
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 February Maintenance Schedule

Tuesday, February 19th @ 5pm
Please contact us if you experience any problems.

January News & Tips: Securing Your Android Device & More

10 January 2013
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Categories: Information, Mobile Solutions, News, Technology

Happy New Year!

As we welcome the advent of 2013, each of us here at SiteVision wishes you and yours a joyful, rewarding and prosperous year!  If you have suggestions about how we can improve our existing services to you, add new services, or improve our help and support,  we welcome your input!  You can contact us anytime
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Microsoft Warns of Zero-Day Vulnerability

Microsoft has confirmed that a zero-day vulnerability affecting older versions of Internet Explorer could allow attackers to gain control of Windows-based computers to host malicious Web sites. The vulnerability affects older browsers through IE 8 and can be mitigated.  For more information click here

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How to Secure Your Android Device

Get a new Android device for Xmas?  As Android proliferates, it’s increasingly important to secure your device against Malware and uninvited snooping.  Here are some important tips from TechHive.  Read the entire, very informative article, as well as a review of the top five free security apps, here:

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January Maintenance Schedule

Tuesday, January 15th @ 5pm
Please contact us if you experience any problems

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Welcome New Hosting Clients!

College Solutions:  www.collegesolutions-va.net

Colonial Behavioral Health: www.colonialbh.org

Parker Investigations:   www.parkerinvestigates.com  (Under Construction)

Rotary Club of Salem:  www.oldesalemdays.com

Rotary Club of Salem:  www.salemrotaryclub.com

Shores Collision:  www.shorescollision.com

Why SiteVision?

We’re your advocate. SiteVision has been providing web development and hosting services to government agencies and non-profit organizations for over 20 years. We understand how overwhelming it can be to seek out a reliable solution for you website, custom application, and hosting needs.

At SiteVision we are passionate about creating solutions for customers that make their life better. We excel at understanding your business process and developing an application that is easy to learn and operate. We will always be fair, knowledgeable, honest, and professional.

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