Taras Kloba's data engineering blog

How to use PostgreSQL for (military) geoanalytics tasks

Geoanalytics is crucial in military affairs, as a significant portion of military data contains geoattributes. In this article, I will discuss how to use PostgreSQL to process geospatial data and address common geoanalytical tasks. The information will cover methods for finding the nearest objects, distance calculations, and using geospatial indexes to enhance these processes. We will also explore techniques for determining a point within a polygon and geospatial aggregation. The goal of this article is to provide practical examples and tips to enhance working with geospatial data and contribute to the development of new solutions.

The materials and data used in the article are open-source and have been approved by the military representatives.

First data source: how to import russian military polygon data into PostgreSQL

I will need certain datasets to initiate the analysis and showcase PostgreSQL's capabilities in geoanalytics. I decided to start with data on russian military facilities available on OpenStreetMap (OSM). The first step is to load this data into PostgreSQL, after which we can use tools to optimize queries and enhance their efficiency.

To import data on russian military objects from OSM, we will use the osm2pgsql tool. This open-source tool efficiently transfers... Read More

Stay Safer Online: How to Generate Unique Passwords and Usernames on MacOS

In today’s digital age, data breaches are becoming increasingly common. A recent report found that 85% of companies experience at least one ransomware attack yearly [1]. This means that it’s more important than ever to take steps to protect your personal information online. One of the potential ways to do this is to use unique passwords and usernames for every website and system you use. This guide will show you how to use the Shortcuts app on MacOS to quickly generate random passwords and usernames.

Why Use Unique Passwords and Usernames?

Using the same password for multiple websites and services is a recipe for disaster. If one website or service you use experiences a data breach, your personal information and login credentials can be compromised. This can put all of your online accounts at risk, as many people use the same email and password combination across multiple sites.

Using unique and random passwords for each website and service is one of the best ways to protect yourself online. Additionally, turning on two-factor authentication (2FA) provides an extra layer of security for your accounts.

Creating Shortcuts for Unique Passwords and Usernames on MacOS

    ... Read More

Renewing My Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate Certification

As a Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate, I recently received a notification that it was time to renew my certification. I knew that I had to act fast as the renewal process must be completed before my certification expires – the first notification is sent 90 days before the expiration date, but you can start the process up to 6 months before it expires.

I work with Power BI on a daily basis, so I didn’t feel like I needed any extra preparation. However, for those who are not as familiar with Power BI, I recommend going through the “Prepare for the renewal assessment” course on Microsoft Learn. It consists of 7 modules that will help refresh your knowledge and prepare you for the renewal assessment.

The renewal assessment is a short, unproctored assessment that tests your current skills in your job role. It consists of 25 questions and took me about 45 minutes to complete. I was happy to see that I passed the assessment on my first try and received a notification that my certification had been extended for another year.

The assessment is available online on the Microsoft Learn platform... Read More

My Favorite Books of 2022

Hello and welcome to my blog!

Today, I want to share with you my top 10 books that I listened to this year. These books are not directly related to my work, but rather are for personal development and enjoyment. I’m an avid reader and love to listen to books while I’m doing routine work. Listening to books helps me make the most of my time and keeps my mind engaged. I usually listen to about 15 hours of books per month, which allows me to get through 2-3 books. I use the Audible app for all my book listening and have been really happy with the selection and service they provide.

The opening for me of this year was “A Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backman, and I am thankful to Mykola Dzhus for recommending this author. In this year-end summary, I wanted to share my top 10 books of the year, along with some thoughts and quotes from each one, in order of my personal preference for them:

  1. “Mossad: The Greatest Missions of the Israeli Secret Service” by Michael Bar-Zohar and Nissim Mishal: “The Mossad is constantly at the forefront of... Read More

The Power BI Marathon in 2022

Big Data & Analytics Competence Development Team at SoftServe always aims to deliver the best solutions and opportunities. The Big Data Power BI Marathon was not an exception. What intended to be a Power BI Marathon for Ukrainians who fled the war turned into the Marathon with both international speakers and audience. The Marathon was a perfect combination of expertise, knowledge, practice, and drive. What made it so special?

Easy. Firstly, the pool of speakers was full of A-list Power BI experts. Namely:

André Melancia

Developer, DBA, and Microsoft Certified Trainer

Andrey Nikolov

Co-founder of FrameStory SoftWare

Anna Voropaieva

Senior BI Engineer at SoftServe

Ásgeir Gunnarsson

Owner of North Insights... Read More