Meeting the goal of regular ArcGIS software updates, Esri recently released ArcGIS 8.2 and is currently developing ArcGIS 8.3. These releases are provided at no additional charge to all ArcGIS users with current software maintenance agreements at the time of the release.

ArcGIS 8.2--Released in April 2002, ArcGIS 8.2 (ArcReader, ArcView, ArcEditor, ArcInfo, and ArcSDE) focused on further integration with ArcIMS and also consisted of a portfolio of enhancements and new features. A new spatial adjustment toolbar within ArcMap allows rubber sheeting, transformation, edgematching, and attribute transfer. Labeling and annotation have been improved. Users can rotate labels by angle from an attribute field and export annotation from a geodatabase to a coverage. Metadata enhancements include support for the International Organization for Standardization metadata standard and the ability to publish metadata to the ArcIMS Metadata Server. ArcSDE raster enhancements allow multiple raster data sets to be stored as a raster catalog and include improved tools for loading rasters.

ArcGIS 8.2 Extensions--Two new extensions shipped concurrently with ArcGIS 8.2 for use with ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArcInfo:

• ArcGIS Publisher allows GIS users to easily publish and share electronic maps locally, over networks, or via the Internet. Published map files are viewable through ArcReader, a free downloadable product from Esri (see ArcReader Now Available!).
• ArcGIS StreetMap Europe provides powerful and easy-to-use European street map display and geocoding.

Three additional ArcGIS 8.2 extensions will be made available later this year.

• ArcGIS Survey Analyst manages survey data in a geodatabase and represents survey measurements and observations on a map (see ArcGIS Survey Analyst).
• ArcGIS Tracking Analyst is an extension to the ArcGIS Desktop products for the visualization and analysis of time-related data on a map (see Introducing ArcGIS Tracking Analyst).
• The Maplex for ArcGIS extension provides an advanced text placement engine to produce high-quality automated labeling for digital and hard-copy maps (see Maplex for ArcGIS).

ArcGIS 8.3--The follow-on update to ArcGIS 8.2 is the next scheduled release of the ArcGIS 8.x architecture. A general list of functionality for the ArcGIS 8.3 release includes support for topology in the geodatabase, editing enhancements including COGO constructors, disconnected geodatabase editing, and linear referencing. The foremost objective is support for topology in the geodatabase (see ArcGIS 8.3 Brings Topology to the Geodatabase).

For more information on ArcGIS, visit www.esri.com/arcgis or call Esri at 1-800-447-9778, call your Esri regional office, or contact your local reseller. Outside the United States, please contact your local Esri distributor.