Software Quick View Chart
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Years ago, ArcView was about the only choice for use in an educational setting. With advances in computing power, growth of the Internet and server capacities, creation of Web-desktop hybrids, and desire for different user experiences, ESRI has provided more options. Depending on your hardware, operating system, Internet access, the mapping and analysis tasks you wish to accomplish, and other variables, you may only need online mapping, or you may need full ArcGIS Desktop with extensions. ESRI offers a range of options, or a GIS tool continuum, as in this graphic.
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Limited Capacity
If you just need to locate Alice Springs, Australia on a map and don't want to install any software, the Education Community Web Mapping Tools are an excellent choice. Browser-based maps and PDF maps can be used by both Windows and Macintosh, and typically provide basic functions. However, these geotools are limited by what functions and data the authors have provided. ArcGIS Explorer also requires access to the Internet as well as installation of a desktop application (Windows only). It offers many powerful capacities for exploration and visualization, and can access a vast array of data from local or Internet sources.
Tailored
ESRI has two applications built specifically for education: ArcExplorer Java Edition for Education (AEJEE) and Digital Worlds (DW; from ESRI UK). Both applications have custom interfaces, provide important but limited functionality, and can work as desktop-only applications (tapping data from local drives) or can use data live from the Internet. AEJEE is a Win/Mac software, while DW is based on ArcGIS and is thus Windows only. Both serve as good stepping stones to "professional grade" ESRI software.
Professional Grade
ArcGIS Desktop is designed for professional GIS users. ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArcInfo give respectively vast, even more, and unlimited capacity for data creation, spatial analysis, and visualization. These same tasks can be accomplished by students and educators at varying levels. Specialized ArcGIS extensions can be added to the core desktop tools to expand capacity. As with other professional tools (such as word processor, spreadsheet, or graphics packages), youth and adult users will not constantly use every available function, but learn quickly to engage the capacities as they need them. ArcGIS Desktop is available for Windows computers only, though many Macintosh users have used virtual machines to engage it.
So, which ESRI tool is the right one for you? It depends on your situation. Use the ESRI EdCommunity website to learn more about how to engage a full range of GIS tools in education
Where is GIS Used?
While educational users of ESRI GIS are all over the world, many institutions have established access to ESRI technology and services through site licenses and development center designations Learn more about those institutions.