A few weeks ago, ESRI officially unveiled ArcGIS Explorer (AGE), a world data viewer in the ilk of Google Earth. Rather than try to contrast and compare, you can view this brief MPEG demo. Downloading a version of AGE is free (registration required). You'll need to download a few "globes" as well to add the data you want to view from the ERSI website that supports AGE. Even more data and resources are available for the also newly unveiled ArcGIS Online, now in a beta mode.

ESRI is highlighting the following features in the 9.3 ArcGIS Server release:

1. Printing pretty maps
2. Map Tips – add information directly on a map
3. Enhance interoperability: In 9.3, ArcGIS will support WFS, Web Cover service for raster, Simple Feature KML and GML.
4. Spatial data management and cartographic cabilities are now available to the AutoCAD users with ArcGIS for AutoCAD which is available now in ArcGIS 9.2
5. Rest API and Java Script API support
6. Caching and performance: pre-cache data to optimize web application
7. Security for Web applications and services – system can define users based on Windows authentication.
8. ArcGIS Server 9.3 now includes a mobile client within a Windows Mobile platform

At the ESRI UC opening plenary, Dangermond focused some of his remarks on positioning Google and Microsoft with respect to information produced by GIS professionals. He believes that the world of the consumer and geospatial professional will eventually merge. Dangermond explained that "the vision of Google and Microsoft is to geo-reference all content on the web; making it one more dimension of 'search.' They are demonstrating the reach which the web provides. GIS professionals are also using the web..and creating a new dimension. Soon we will be able to fuse these dimensions together. Integrating geo-reference information of all types and fusing them into our own (GIS) systems. It will extend geographic information to everyone."

During the keynote presentation of the ESRI UC, Jack Dangermond hinted at the functionality of ArcGIS 9.3. ArcGIS 9.3 is being incrementally released in a series of service packs with emphasis on refining and improving workflows with the bulk being released next year. These packs will include ways to improve “geographic science” such as using Gaussian geostatistical simulation, richer error messaging, improving mapping and labeling, scripting, modeling, and WYSIWIG graphic editing. In addition, there will be improvements for street numbering placement and support for Asian language characters, multiple view windows, better labeling on 3D services, faster import of web services, tracking in 3D, textured COLLADA, and schematic diagramming.

For ArcGIS Server, ESRI is adding the ability to having more security on the web. And they will be adding support for PostgreSQL, Oracle Express, DB2 (z/OS).

At the opening plenary of the ESRI UC in San Diego, Jack Dangermond presented his theme for 2007...The Geographic Approach:

"The geographic approach…is a kind of framework for understanding and for managing our earth. A way to analyze the measurements and the processes of change. GIS allows us to apply the geographic approach…using the tools and methods to collaborate; create more efficiency in our organizations. Your work gives evidence that we can more effectively communicate through the visual dimension. GIS will become a kind of instrument of evolution…an information infrastructure."