ArcGIS Explorer, a first impression
As mentioned in a few discussions earlier this year, ArcGIS Explorer won’t be a mass market product and is not supposed to compete with Google Earth. So I expected a product that would fit my needs as ArcGIS user and offer new possibilities for data and result dissemination for instance.
Basically it does.
Christian sees this as a glass half full. There is potential, we just have to wait for users to take advantage of it. He also note that WMS works pretty good and with AGX not being tied to the ArcGIS release schedule we’ll probably see quick improvements (remember to post issues in the ArcGIS Explorer forums). Bern Szukalski was pretty excited about that prospect back at the User Conference so if something doesn’t work, let him know.
4 responses so far ↓
1
Brian Timoney
// Nov 29, 2006 at 12:12 pm
James:
I’m basically +1 with Christian’s take on AGX. I played with it for 20 minutes then went about my business.
Does this interface provide an immersive experience for those who don’t visualize geospatial data all day–especially when compared to other spinning globes? No, it doesn’t.
Now I understand the whole Server integration piece so it could very well play a useful role in the ESRI stack, but as it stands now I don’t see it as a game-changing app.
Finally, since someone is bound to make the analogy, I might as well ask if Google Earth is to iPod as AGX is to Zune.
BT
2
Sean Gillies
// Nov 29, 2006 at 2:43 pm
Like Zune is not the iPod Killer?
3
Christian
// Nov 29, 2006 at 3:24 pm
No, Zune copied the iPod concept heading into the same market. AGX and GE look similar but follow very different strategies.
4 In which I discuss some issues « Steve’s Little world // Nov 30, 2006 at 12:20 am
[...] We like doing GIS work but we don’t like the way we are being treated. Brian T. says that AGX is to the GE as the Zune is to the iPOD. I would go one step farther and say that ESRI is very similar to Microsoft in the way they approach products. [...]
Leave a Comment