ArcGIS 9.3 - in brief

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).

Dangermond Explains the “Geographic Approach”

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."

Photo of the Day: Nobel Winner Maathai with Dangermond and Tomlinson

At the ESRI Senior Executive Summit, Jack Dangermond, president of ESRI and Roger Tomlinson, summit host, introduced Wangari Maathai, 2004 Nobel Peace Prize winner, keynote for the UC and special guest at the summit. Her comments were brief: "It (GIS) is a wonderful tool and it is a very encouraging tool. With climate change…we are very concerned with the protection of forests. We want to educate and motivate people to plant trees."

Maathia is a native of Kenya and the founder of the Green Belt Movement, which has helped thousand of women and their families to improve their lives through planting trees.

Quote of the Day: Tomlinson on Dangermond

Dr. Roger Tomlinson, the man known as the "father of GIS" has a few choice quips in describing Jack Dangermond while introducing him at the Senior Executive Summit as this year’s ESRI UC. Tomlinson’s dry humor and wit extolled some of Dangermond’s virtues:

"It may surprise you to know that he is a farmer…a ‘so so’ fisherman and a builder of a company with worldwide reach. I’ve watched him as a small entrepreneur to a manager of a major corporation. Jack has done it and done it beautifully. Time and time again he has made major decisions in leading the world to using better tools to manage the environment. Jack Dangermond is dedicated to leaving the world as a better place.

Tomlinson was the host of the Senior Executive Summit and his introductions of speakers are remarkable for their weightiness and collegiality. We should all be so lucky to be merely introduced by him.

Quote of the Day: Dangermond Sends Message to “classic geographers”

In addressing the Senior Executive Summit at the ESRI User’s conference today, Jack Dangermond, president of ESRI had a brief message for "classic geographers."

"To classic geographers…(GIS) is just this mechanical thing…No, I don’t think so…GIS is to geography what the telescope was to astronomy."