Yesterday at the ESRI conference we got a good look at what to expect in the coming months as ESRI moves closer to a release of ArcGIS 9.2. That's right, 9.2... eventhough many of you haven't cracked the seal on your 9.1! Read on for a closer look at just some of the enhancements that will be found in ArcGIS at 9.2.
Recall that ArcGIS 9.1 began shipping in May 2005. Here at the user conference the buzz is about the next release – ArcGIS 9.2. Tentative release dates are as follows:
The vision and direction for 9.2 is to build on the success of ArcGIS 9.1. Users will see enhancements that target quality, usability, and performance. Key areas focused on include cartography, visualization, spatial analysis, and modeling.
Product updates you can expect to see:
ArcReader – Improvements to mapping and visibility, new cartographic editing and finishing, geoprocessing tools, more support for temporal analysis, and better documentation.
With Arc Reader & Publisher users will be greeted with a number of enhancements including: - support for map markups (redlining) - tighter ArcWeb Services integration - full screen mode - dynamic map titles - new Globe tools - a slick find XY tool (aka “goto X,Y) - ArcReader Globe control
Arc Publisher will see a new publisher data package as well as support for new data formats. Measurement tool enhancements and improved layer effects will also be found. Particularly exciting is the enhanced support to publish and serve 3D data to Arc Reader… this means users of the free ArcReader will be able to access and view 3D data and fly around or view on a Globe surface.
Improvements to ArcMap Usability
A number of visualization and cartographic enhancements will be found at 9.2. Cartographic editing and finishing tools are there to support the creation of high-quality finished map products and layouts. Usability improvements for labeling in ArcMap and ArcGlobe will also make the cartographers life a bit easier.
Other key areas focused on regarding usability include: - more productive mapping and visualization - improved map layout navigation - enhanced labeling - new layer controls - enhanced scale settings - numerous ArcReader enhancements - Much better Table UI including support for direct print (applause!), calculate area/perimeter, long field name support, and direct read of MS Excel files (woohoo!) - Finding places and locations will be a snap with an enhanced Find Places Tool and access to an online web service for finding places
Numerous CAD usability improvements will be found at 9.2. Most notably, a new CAD layer organization scheme, expanded attribute support (supporting all entity types and attributes), improved transform and save out, superior feature rendering, and more/better documentation.
Those struggling with editing their projects will find a bundle of improvements and additions at 9.2: - new feature construction tools - improved map navigation - user friendly naming support - enhanced geoprocessing tools - looping and batch-processing support - raster attribute tables - large dataset handling
Something I noticed in most demos seen was the simple access to much more functionality within pretty much every operation via right-click. Right-clicking objects, file names, features, attribute fields, or what have you will reveal additional functionality and related tools that are likely of use in your job. This is a great time saver.
Top iPhone related GIS and Geo Tech news stories from 2009 - At the end of the year its always interesting for us to look at some of the stats and results to identify trends and more important, to see what our readers think is hot! In the "news" category it seems that iPhone related geo tech items were extremely popular.
Geo Social Location Checkin to Twitter from iPhone - With the cool SXSW event taking place Austin, TX, everyone who's anyone in social and social location seems to have rolled out updates this week, making your choice for how to check-in to your social media bookmarks even tougher to decide on!
10 Awesome GIS and Mapping apps for the iPhone - I recall last year at the ESRI UC when an iPhone was on stage showing a prototype app (think ArcPad on iPhone). It was then that I realized the iPhone platform is going to be BIG in mapping and there's a ton of opportunity for developers.
Nokia Booklet 3G, unboxing video and image gallery... Those of you in the USA who pop in to BestBuy occasionally, you may have seen a stand showing off the Nokia Booklet 3G. A sleek, 3G enabled, SIM slot (AT&T) sporting netbook.
Interesting Tweeple - 10 Geo Technology & Geo-Social Women of Twitter - given the growing love for geospatial and location-aware technologies, I’ve decided to hype 10 women that I feel make a significant contribution to the Geo-Twittersphere. If you’d like to add 10 knowledgeable and useful Twitter contacts to your Geo following list I highly suggest the following: (in no particular order)
10 Geo Social Location-Aware Apps Making Waves... With Twitter's opening of their location API to developers there's going to be a ton of third party apps that will enable Twitter users to share location-aware information via their Twitter accounts.
Signs that indicate you may be a GeoGeek (aka. GeoNerd) and some suggested Geo blogs - Chances are good that if you are a Geo Geek then you already know it and likely refer to yourself as one. However, there’s many of you out there that may be on the fence and wondering… “am I a Geo Geek?" Read on for a comprehensive list of signs you might be a GeoGeek followed up by some suggested Geoblog reading.
Real-time GPS Mapping and GIS Solution Aids Efficient Disaster Management - Saturday, February 7, 2009 will forever be known as Black Saturday in the State of Victoria, Australia. In the midst of a 10-year drought, a record breaking heat wave descended upon the state, with temperatures exceeding 45 degrees C (110-120 deg F), breaking all-time record highs in some cities - Victoria Police Use Trimble Juno SC Handhelds to Speed Assessment of Damage Caused by Bush Fires.
2010 ESRI Federal User Conference February 17-19, 2010, Washington D.C. Walter E. Washington Convention Center - The FedUC is the largest geospatial conference for federal agencies. Connect with other leaders, decision makers, and GIS professionals.
The International LiDAR Mapping Forum 2010 - Tenth Anniversary Event! ILMF 2010 will be held from March 3 - 5, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency in Denver at Colorado Convention Center.
The NAVTEQ 2010 Global LBS Challenge Awards Ceremony will be held during Ignite at O'Reilly Where 2.0. Be among the first to hear as NAVTEQ announces the winners for the North America region. Participants will be competing for a global prize pool of $10 million and growing by showcasing pre-commercial location-enabled apps using NAVTEQ map data & products. March 30, 2010, during Ignite Where, 7:30pm - 9:00pm, at the Marriott San Jose, CA
WHERE2.0 2010 - Now in its sixth year, the Where 2.0 Conference is where the grassroots and leading edge developers building location-aware technology intersect with the businesses and entrepreneurs seeking out location apps, platforms, and hardware to gain a competitive edge. For 15% use Discount Code: whr10lbs
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