Want to share or archive your GPS tracks from ArcGIS Earth? Exporting your NMEA layer as a KML file is quick and easy.

📁 Simple Export:

After importing and visualizing your NMEA log, right-click the layer and save. You’ll get:

• Points representing individual GPS fixes.
• Polylines connecting your track path.

It’s the perfect way to share your routes or archive valuable tracking data.

🚀 Coming Soon: Enhanced KML Tracks:

Currently, ArcGIS Earth exports points and lines to KML. Stay tuned for full KML Track support, including timestamped playback and richer temporal visualization!

✨ ArcGIS Earth empowers you to not only review your GPS logs but also transform them into easily shareable and presentation-ready KML files.

2025-04-10 TIL: AI Model Performance Analysis

💻

AI Model Performance Analysis

This analysis highlights the tradeoffs between model size, speed, and tool-calling capabilities across different AI models. Llama3.1:8b appears to offer the best balance of features, while llama3.2:3b provides a good compromise between size and functionality.

Hamer’s been waking up early lately, getting ready calmly and playing on her own before school. After dropping her off today, I grabbed breakfast, ate wontons while waiting for corn, and brought extra food home.

In the morning, I subscribed to CapWords—originally just out of curiosity, but the heartfelt story behind it deeply resonated with me.

I spent the day testing local language models with the Earth MCP Server. A larger model was too slow, and a smaller one underperformed, but I eventually got two working and pulled together some solid takeaways. Before wrapping up work, I submitted a documentation PR to the oterm project—my first open-source contribution—and was thrilled to see it merged right away. I hope it’s just the beginning.

Around noon, I was notified of a seatbelt violation from last Sunday. It surprised me—I’m usually careful—but the photo said otherwise.

All the talk today was about Beijing’s strong wind forecast. Looks like we’re staying indoors this weekend.

Think your GPS tracks are just lines? Think again! ArcGIS Earth empowers you to dive deep into the metadata, attributes, and statistics embedded within your imported NMEA layers, revealing the full story.

📄 Explore Layer Details:

Right-click the NMEA layer and select “Properties” to access:

• Metadata: spatial reference, extent, data source, and more.
• Summary Statistics: a quick snapshot of your dataset’s structure.

🖱️ Instant Feature Insights:

• Use the “Identify” tool to click any point or segment and instantly view its attribute information in a pop-up. Perfect for on-the-fly checks during playback or exploration.

📊 Dive into the Data Table:

Open the “Attribute Table” to:

• See all your GPS records in one comprehensive view.
• Sort, filter, and analyze your data effectively.
• Select specific records and zoom directly to them on the map.

✨ Go beyond the lines! ArcGIS Earth provides the tools to unlock the rich contextual information within your NMEA data, transforming simple tracks into powerful insights.

I started the day by continuing to listen to the ongoing company meeting—by this point, I had followed it from start to finish, which made me feel somewhat involved in the whole session.

Throughout the day, I explored integrating Ollama with MCP to run local language models. I initially tried Open WebUI’s mcpo to expose MCP as an OpenAPI interface, but I didn’t know how to use the tools it offered. Later, I found oterm, an Ollama client that supports MCP tools. When I couldn’t select tools, I realized that not all models support the tools feature.

When we got home, Hamer surprised me by pretending to be a waitress—seriously guiding me through removing my shoes, washing up, and serving dinner. Her commitment to the role was both hilarious and sweet. After dinner, we went shopping. I was impressed by how disciplined Hamer has become—carefully choosing only a few things. She’s really growing into a thoughtful, self-controlled little person.

Imported an NMEA log into ArcGIS Earth? Awesome! Now, transform it into a powerful visual story by customizing its appearance for clearer analysis and compelling presentations.

🗺️ Control Your View:

• Right-click the NMEA layer in the Table of Contents and select “Display.”
• Choose to show Points, Polyline, or Both to focus on key aspects of your track.

🎨 Style for Insight:

• Treat your NMEA layer like any feature layer – unleash the power of symbology!
• Apply color ramps to highlight speed, accuracy, or elevation variations.
• Adjust size and style for optimal visibility in immersive 3D scenes.

🏷️ Label for Context:

• Bring your data to life by labeling attributes like timestamp, speed, or elevation.
• Enhance analysis and presentations with crucial contextual information.
• Add dynamic real-time context to your visual playback.

✨ Unleash the full potential of your NMEA data! By taking control of display and styling, you transform raw data into insightful and visually captivating narratives.

I went to bed late last night after an online company meeting, and when I woke up, it was still going. I tuned back in and was struck by how open and confident everyone was, regardless of role.

The rest of the morning was filled with more meetings, but our team meetings felt flat—minimal interaction and little new information. It’s something I’ve been reflecting on.

I spent the afternoon preparing NMEA data visuals for a presentation and began exploring LM Studio and Ollama’s Python SDK to see how local models might support MCP tasks.

On the way home, I got my badminton racket restrung, filled a growler with beer, and grabbed barbecue for dinner.

Xiaoyan and I also considered renting a car for a weekend trip now that I’m confident driving, but the windy forecast led us to postpone until next week.

Did you know that ArcGIS Earth not only replays NMEA GPS tracks—but also lets you explore detailed positioning and satellite data at every moment?

📍 Go Beyond the Map with Location Information When working with an imported NMEA log, click the Location Information button to open two insightful tabs:

🧭 Location Details

Access key metrics about the device’s current position:

• Latitude, Longitude, Altitude
• Accuracy level and Fix type
• HDOP (Horizontal Dilution of Precision)
• VDOP (Vertical Dilution of Precision)
• PDOP (Positional Dilution of Precision)

These details help you assess GPS signal quality and positioning precision throughout the track.

🛰 Satellite Information

Visualize the satellite environment in real time:

• View the relative position of each satellite in the sky
• Signal strength is displayed with dynamic bars—longer and darker = stronger signal
• A compass-style map shows satellites orbiting around the device at the center

✨ This view updates continuously, giving you a real-time window into satellite coverage and positioning accuracy.

Did you know ArcGIS Earth supports NMEA log file import, enabling you to visualize and analyze GPS tracks with ease?

📡 What is NMEA 0183?

NMEA 0183 is a widely adopted standard developed by the National Marine Electronics Association. It defines how GPS devices and marine instruments—such as sonar, anemometers, autopilots, and more—communicate using simple ASCII “sentences” over serial connections.

It’s the most common GPS data format, supported by virtually every GPS manufacturer.

🗺️ ArcGIS Earth Makes It Visual

Simply import a NMEA-formatted log file into ArcGIS Earth to bring your movements to life on a map.

🔁 Playback & Insight at Your Fingertips

Once imported, select the NMEA layer to open the GNSS Toolbar and Dashboard:

• ▶️ Play or pause the GPS track
• 🐇🐢 Adjust playback speed in real time
• 🧭 Choose your view mode: Track-Up, Keep at Center, or Keep within Window
• 📊 View live stats: current speed, total distance, elevation gain, total time, and average speed
• 📈 Monitor progress with an interactive elevation profile

🎯 Real-World Application

Whether you’re reviewing a field mission, validating GPS data, or training with real-world tracks, this feature transforms raw GPS logs into powerful, interactive stories.

This morning, Hamer woke up teary-eyed, missing Liuliu deeply. She cried as she got ready but gradually calmed down.

After the dev meeting, I reflected on how to make these sessions more impactful.

In the afternoon, I settled on NMEA playback as the focus for this week’s Earth 230 Tips, which gave me clarity and momentum. I also completed paperwork for my work-residence permit renewal—much easier now that the company is handling it directly.

We decided to skip this week’s family badminton session. Xiaoyan felt I’ve been too critical during play, and Hamer said she was a bit tired. After dinner, we took a relaxing evening stroll and picked up some fresh fruit.

Today, I drove back to Beijing, covering 250 kilometers in 7 hours, bringing my total driving distance over the last two days to 400 kilometers—the longest I’ve ever driven. It was a challenging but rewarding experience, and by the end of the day, I truly felt like a “real driver.”

We left around 11 a.m. and got home by 6 p.m. In the evening, we celebrated my mother-in-law’s 62nd birthday with a family dinner. Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today, I drove on the highway for the first time—about 150 kilometers. I started out nervous but gradually found my rhythm, and by the end, I felt proud and accomplished.

In the morning, we visited Huanghua Port and Golden Beach, where the wide river and sandy shores created a relaxing coastal feel. Hamer and Liuliu played in the sand while we strolled and chatted under the sun.

In the afternoon, I drove Xiaoyan and Zhu Jian to Cangzhou West Station, tackling both local roads and the highway. The 100-kilometer stretch was intense at first, but I settled in and gained real confidence behind the wheel. Returning solo to Liuliu’s house, I felt calm and capable.

That evening, the warm, everyday scene—Liu Dan in the kitchen, the kids playing—filled me with comfort and gratitude. Their family’s kindness and support made me feel truly at home.

We got up at 5 a.m. to head to Huanghua, where Liuliu’s dad drove us to visit her at her grandma’s place. Hamer and Liuliu were clearly thrilled to see each other, though they tried to play it cool. I was unsure about driving back to Beijing alone and hoped Liuliu’s dad could take the car while we returned by train.

Lunch was a feast—seafood, lamb spine hotpot, and shrimp paste flatbread—that left me full well into the evening. We strolled through Xinyulou in the afternoon, and later, the four of us played mahjong until past 11. Afterward, Zhu Jian took me visit a local bathhouse for a soak and steam, spending the night there.

Tonight, we attended our first performance at the China National Opera House—a symphony and ballet set to The Yellow River. The music, staging, and dancing were breathtaking, and we left wanting to see it all over again.

Since our e-bike couldn’t fit four, I planned to run home—but Hamer wanted to join. We waited backstage, caught glimpses of the dancers leaving, then walked home together, snacking on frozen grapes from 7-Eleven. We held hands, laughed, and skipped until she got tired. At Chuangshan Liquor Bar, we stopped for skewers and beer to rest.

After dropping Hamer off at school this morning, I grabbed a big breakfast to share at home—more than we could finish.

Most of the day was spent diving into the MCP C# SDK. While reviewing the official samples, I spotted a bug I initially planned to fix, only to find someone had already submitted a PR—so I added a supporting comment instead. I also spent time exploring how to integrate MCP with the Earth project but realized it’s not easy to integrate directly.

In the evening, After shopping, we visited a print shop to print photos for Hamer.

Hello, April.

This morning, I woke up early and joined Hamer for a morning run. We ran and walked around 3 kilometers together—it was a joyful experience. On our walk back, she said the day felt like a weekend without school.

At work, I learned I’ll be taking over the lead of a project. It didn’t hit me until I was added to the group, making me realize this new responsibility.

In the evening, I grabbed some draft beer and skewers on a whim, and Xiaoyan couldn’t resist nibbling despite being full.

There was a moment of misunderstanding with Hamer’s homework, where I was adamant I was right, but later discovered she was correct. I realized I need to listen to her more and not always assume my perspective is the right one.

We also got our registration confirmed for the parent-child run at a local Half Marathon. Looking forward to it!

I spent the day optimizing the MCP server for ArcGIS Earth Automation API and troubleshooting data issues. Recorded demos using Claude as a client, which impressively handled polygon drawing and undo-delete commands.

Evening brought news I wasn’t selected for the Beijing Half Marathon. After dinner with Xiaoyan, I helped Hamer with homework and fixed her alarm. When she wanted to join my run but hesitated, we planned a morning run for April 1st instead.

Today was a leisurely Sunday that began with sleeping in until Hamer asked for help reading her textbook. Initially, I suggested she practice independently, which led her to seek Grandma’s assistance before proudly returning to demonstrate her progress.

My coffee experiment failed due to using espresso beans and too-fine grounds for pour-over brewing. At noon, we visited the Beijing Minsheng Art Museum for “The Origin of Civilization” exhibition, where LEGO recreations of archaeological sites and a bronze figure installation particularly impressed me.

After lunch at Sunrise Ramen in its new Wangjing location, we explored 798 Art District. At Berry Bean café, Hamer bonded with a dog named Huahua while I admired specialty bikes. The day concluded at Tiaohai Bar, where we unexpectedly stayed for a dance concert featuring memorable performances by SkyChildren, NoGender, and a duet by Quqi and Erhan.

This morning, Hamer and I used GPT-4o to enhance one of her drawings—she was amazed, though she noticed its text recognition could be better. After breakfast at Xiaoguan Market, we met her classmate. Hamer didn’t join the group play, preferring one-on-one time, but still enjoyed observing.

The wind on our way back was intense, and Xiaoyan later got her braces replaced. In the afternoon, I played in a football match with the CUGB alumni team after a four-year break—starting as goalkeeper and easing back into the game.

Since neither of us could take Hamer to dance, Grandma stepped in. Last night, Hamer cried about it, but Xiaoyan had a clever solution: Grandma would take her to class, and later they’d go to The Box to visit Miniso.

In the evening, we all played doubles at a new badminton gym, then grabbed barbecue on the way home—a relaxing end to a full day.

Today, I continued working hands-on with the MCP server, this time using the ArcGIS Earth Automation API as the application scenario. I used Cursor together with Claude 3.7 Sonnet, referencing the official Model Context Protocol servers' Python SDK to carry out some Vibe Coding. By the end of the workday, I had successfully run through the core workflow. There’s still some polishing to do before submission, but it’s coming together nicely. I tested the setup using the MCP Inspector, which worked quite well. Toward the end of the day, I switched back to using Claude as the MCP Client for another round of testing. It was genuinely exciting to see Claude follow my instructions, call various tools, and interact with Earth—I could hardly wait to complete the whole workflow!

As usual, I went to the gym at noon. I didn’t work out much, but the key thing is maintaining the habit.

In the evening, it got really cold. I had originally planned to go pick up Xiaoyan from Sanlitun, but halfway there, I felt frozen and asked her to take the subway instead—I met her at the station. After dinner, Hamer continued putting up English conversation stickers with me. She had even called me after school to remind me to come home early so we could do it together. I had intended to watch a movie afterward, but Hamer came running over, asking to join. In the end, we watched the animated film Goldie together.

Today, I was completely immersed in developing an MCP server for ArcGIS Location Services, to the point of practically skipping meals and breaks. By the end of the workday, I had finally built a simple, functional version. In the evening, I also tried submitting it to Smithery, though I still need to figure out how to properly use the deployed server—something I’ll dig into later.

Throughout the development process, I used uv to manage the Python project. The implementation was based on the ArcGIS Services Postman Collection, and I relied heavily on conversations with Claude and the Edit Mode in Cursor to guide my work. One of the trickiest parts was that the Postman Collection didn’t provide complete parameter details to the LLM, which led to a lot of misconfigured requests that took quite a bit of time to debug.

I used Claude Desktop as an MCP Client to test the server and found that using conversational prompts to drive the LLM for testing was a surprisingly fun experience. However, debugging wasn’t the most convenient, so I’m planning to try out the MCP Inspector to streamline the process going forward.

This morning, I also joined the CUGB Beijing Alumni Soccer Team group chat. The admin was super welcoming and gave me a great intro to the team, along with some useful info. I signed up to play in a match this Saturday afternoon—looking forward to getting out on the field and meeting everyone.

In the evening, the On Running shoes Xiaoyan ordered for me arrived. The fit was perfect, and I really liked how they felt—so much so that I kept walking around the house in them all night. Later on, Hamer and I put up some immersive English-language stickers around the house for speaking practice. It was a fun little parent-child activity.

I was tired in the afternoon from poor sleep and felt it during badminton, though I did test Xiaoyan’s new racket and liked it.

I also published my half-marathon training plans on GitHub Gist, upgraded Claude to Pro, and used it as an MCP Client—its power impressed me.

In the evening, Hamer and I shopped at Hema after dinner.