Like so many others I immediately took the time to download and install the latest and great from ESRI - ArcGIS Explorer 900.  I noticed that the file size was a bit larger than the 500 version.  Not a big deal, just means that there are more features.  Here is a list of things I liked and disliked.  Remember that these are first impressions and there might be solutions to be found or better understood.

With the ability to do presentations, I took a old PowerPoint presentation and incorporated it into the new explorer.

  • Base Maps - I love the ability to have this data readily available with a way to easily change it.
  • Importing Images - Took me a bit to figure out that in order to use my PP slides I had to export them to a .png and then import the image. It is nice that PP allows you export the entire presentation.
  • Symbology - I do not like the fact that when I zoom the symbology does not change.  Looking at my county data shows my boundaries out as very thin.  Once I zoom in further I can make them out.  Do I really need to import two different datasets to show the change in scale?
  • Slide Capture - This button makes it very easy to capture the exact image I want in my presentation.
  • Titles - Nice feature to have without having an entire slide.
  • Notes - I like the ability to add points, lines and polygons to the map with a note.  I wish there was a way to control the transparency.
  • Content - I like the simplicity to add content.  From shapefiles to geodatabases to images.
  • Presentation Mode - Having the ability to divert from my captured slide and actually work with a live map is what has sold me on this product.

I am sure I will have more comments latter on, but there are just a few things I have noticed so far.