ArcGIS Server 10.1 Is 64-Bit Only, MSDs Over MXDs, and What About ArcInfo Workstation 10.1

In the ArcGIS 10 depreciation document this little tidbit catches my eye.

ArcGIS Server 10.1 will no longer support 32-bit operating systems. ArcGIS 10.1 will exclusively support 64-bit operating systems. Support for 64-bit native execution across all the tiers of ArcGIS Server has been a long awaited feature by many of our customers. 64-bit hardware is the norm in today’s market and most modern ArcGIS Server deployments do in fact run on 64- bit hardware. ArcGIS Server 10.1 will run as a native 64-bit application exclusively requiring 64- bit capable hardware.

Now we are talking about Server here, not Desktop, but a total 64-bit server suite is very nice.  One more thing that for some reason seems to get people a bit riled up:

ArcGIS Server 10.1 will no longer support publishing non-optimized map documents (MXD files). ArcGIS 10.1 will only support publishing optimized maps (MSDs) as that is the best practice for map publishing. At ArcGIS Server 10.1, optimized map services (MSDs) will be enhanced to support many of the capabilities that are currently only available through MXD-based map services.

This is a total performance change now that MSDs will support just about everything you need from a cartographic standpoint.  Oh and one last little tip of the hat to the workhorse:

There are no plans to release a new version of ArcInfo Workstation at ArcGIS 10.1.

Frozen in time will ArcInfo Workstation be (hmm did I just channel Yoda there?).

I suspect there will be no fighting over any of the above…

See You Later ArcIMS

I for one am not going to shed an tear for ArcIMS.  Don’t get me wrong, I was a user of ArcIMS from version 3.0 to 9.1.  But since ArcGIS Server 9.2 as well as other open source mapservers, the need to even glance in its direction isn’t warranted.  Usually when we talk about ArcIMS, a couple folks rush to its defense.  Well go ahead and do that all you want – nobody is listening anymore, including Esri (kudos to Esri BTW on the sexy PDF in 2010).  But you ArcIMS fans need not worry – I’m sure Esri will be collecting maintenance on ArcIMS for years to come.

Hey — when the going gets tough, the tough move on to a modern mapserver.

Esri Adds Parcels to Their Little Used World Streets Map Service

Remember that World Streets Map Service from Esri?  Of course you don’t.  You’ve been using the Google or Bing maps as your backgrounds or the beautiful Esri Topographical map.  Parcels in World Streets is nice I guess, but until it is in the Topographical map service, I just can’t see using it.

You have to be in awe about the pressure companies such as Esri, Google and Microsoft can put on these “premium”, “authoritative” data sources (like First American) to release their product like this.  Parcels are a big deal to many folks, but the percentage that actually care about the parcel database vs the pretty picture outlines is small.  Now everyone who just wants to see Parcels on their map, can do for free (well free in the sense that Esri and Google’s licensing allows it).

Why anyone would pay for parcel data anymore is beyond me.