ArcWatch: GIS News, Views, and Insights

October 2013

A Map App Odyssey

By Carla Wheeler
Esri Writer

Space. It’s a new frontier for scientific research and social media. International Space Station astronauts Chris Hadfield and Thomas Marshburn took Twitter to new heights when they sent Tweets embedded with stunning photographs of Earth to their followers. David MacLean, a GIS faculty member at Nova Scotia Community College, worked with his students to create a unique app to map the Tweets and the images. Read the article.

The Our World From The ISS app mapped photos and Tweets from astronauts aboard the International Space Station.

Tip of the Month

Use Feathering to Accentuate an Area of Interest

Feathering is a technique that makes the area you want to highlight on your map stand out and helps your audience focus on what’s important in the map. Read this tip to learn how to create the feathering effect.

Connect with ArcWatch

ArcWatch is published monthly by Esri and contains GIS news, practical advice, and updates about the company's software and events. To submit article ideas, e-mail editor Carla Wheeler at arcwatch_editor@esri.com.

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The Headlines

ArcGIS Marketplace Opens

The new ArcGIS Marketplace offers apps and data from qualified providers that you can use with your ArcGIS Online subscription. Some apps and data will be available at no cost, while others can be purchased. Read the article.

London and Dubai Calling

Want to learn geospatial development techniques, see the latest technology from Esri, and meet with the developers who build ArcGIS? Join us at the Esri Developer Summit (DevSummit) in the United Kingdom or in the United Arab Emirates. Read the article.

Mapping the Storms Ahead

Esri technology powers this US Severe Weather Map, which includes the latest tornado, hailstorm, and precipitation reports along with weather statements, some historical data, and weather-related social media posts.

News Bytes

What’s New and Improved?

ArcGIS Online, with updates such as improved access to Esri map layers and the addition of ArcGIS Marketplace. Read the blog.
Hone Your GIS Skills

The Esri free nationwide seminar Sharpen Your GIS Skills continues with sessions in Boise, Idaho; Atlanta, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois; and many other cities. See the locations and register today.
Make a Splash

Learn how to put GIS technology to work for your ocean research and exploration, fisheries, coastal protection, and aquaculture projects. Attend the Esri Ocean GIS Forum, to be held November 5–7, 2013.
Developing Solutions with ArcGIS Online

In this podcast, Jeremy Webber explains how GEO-Jobe GIS Consulting uses ArcGIS Online to develop solutions for non-GIS users. He also talks about the advantages of the new ArcGIS Marketplace.
Incorporate Online Data in ArcPad 10.2

In a connected environment, there are many ways to tap into and use online data with ArcPad 10.2. Read the blog.
Mapping the Shale Gas Boom

This Smithsonian.com story and a story map powered by Esri ArcGIS show that Texas and Louisiana are among the top producers of shale gas. Read the blog to learn more about the story map.
Bring On the Esri UC Papers

Centerpoints

Landscape Layers Added

You can use the new landscape layers (available with your ArcGIS Online for Organizations account) in either ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS for Desktop. This growing collection of layers supports landscape analysis. Read this blog to get started using them.

ArcGIS Plows into Snow

The city of Pori, Finland, uses Esri ArcGIS to help determine when to plow, what vehicles to use, and what routes to take in this city with a population of 84,000. GIS saves the city time and fuel costs, says Timo Widbom, GIS specialist for Pori. Read the article.

Social Studies Comes Alive

Web maps can transform geography, history, and civics from long reading assignments into visual learning experiences. In this article, Esri education manager Joseph Kerski explains how students can use ArcGIS Online in their social studies classes.

Technical Talk

Introducing GeoEnrichment Services

Developers have a new powerful tool in their ArcGIS Online toolbox. With the GeoEnrichment capabilities in ArcGIS API for JavaScript, you can create a web app full of interactive demographic, consumer spending, and lifestyle data. Read this blog.

Elements of 3D Cartography

Join Esri’s Nathan Shephard and learn how, in his words, to “make cool-looking 3D maps.” Watch the technical workshop.
Set Your Map Extents

Learn to use Set Extent in ArcGIS Online. Read this tip.
ArcGIS for Developers

Jim Barry and Andy Gup from Esri introduce the toolkits, APIs, and resources available to developers who want to make GIS applications. View this technical workshop.
Get More Out of Lidar Data

Take this new web course to learn how to efficiently store and organize lidar data, optimize display speed, and provide end users with on-the-fly processing capabilities.
Re-create a Geometric Network

The new Geometric Network Configuration Manager add-in will help you restore geometric networks. Read the blog and download the add-in.
Seven Steps to Success

Configure portal—check. Create Groups—check. What other steps do you need to take to make ArcGIS Online appeal to and work well for users?

Et cetera

Submit Your Maps

Use this portal to submit your maps for consideration for inclusion in Esri Map Book, Volume 29. The deadline is 5:00 p.m. (PDT) on October 25, 2013.
Prep for Technical Certification Program Exams

Take a free web course to prepare for the Esri Desktop, Developer, and Enterprise certification exams. View all the certification web courses.
Set the Course for the Arc Marine Data Model

Take a survey about how you use and manage your marine data. The information will guide an update to the Arc Marine data model.
ArcGIS Online in Education E-book

Read stories that demonstrate how ArcGIS Online can be used in classes covering such diverse topics as weather and climate, geography, and business. Read the e-book.
Storytelling Countdown Template Released

The countdown template is used in this story map that examines the world’s busiest airports. Read the blog.
Tip: Sync with Feature Services in ArcPad 10.2
Podcast: Navy Shore Geospatial Energy Program

Endpoints

Take a Virtual Esri Tour

Pay a virtual visit to the Esri campus in Redlands, California, using this story map. You will see the gardens near the entrance, the state-of-the art conference center, the fitness center, the Esri Café, and more.

Refresh Your GIS Skills

The primary skills you need to be successful at using GIS in the industry today are explained in The GIS 20: Essential Skills. The second edition adds nine bonus skills and a 180-day trial of ArcGIS 10.1 for Desktop. Buy the book.

Hardware Offer

Try Esri CityEngine packaged with a Dell Precision Workstation. Urban planners and other professionals can use Esri CityEngine, a design and modeling solution, to transform 2D GIS data into smart 3D city models.

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