Mashups using the ArcGIS API for Microsoft Silverlight

Besides the ArcGIS API for Javascript, and the ArcGIS API for Flex there is also an API for Microsoft Silverlight.

The ArcGIS API for Microsoft Silverlight enables you to create internet and desktop applications that utilize the powerful mapping, geocoding, and geoprocessing capabilities provided by ArcGIS Server and Microsoft Bing services ( formerly known as Microsoft Virtual Earth ). The API is built on the Microsoft Silverlight platform which is integrated with Visual Studio 2008 and Visual Web Developer Express 2008.

Mashups using ArcGIS API for Flex

Besides the ArcGIS API for Javascript, there is also a API for Flex.

The ArcGIS API for Flex allows the creation of internet applications on top of ArcGIS Server. It is based on the free Adobe Flex framework. The Flex framework is a client-side technology that is rendered by Flash Player.

Mashups using ArcGIS API for JavaScript

In web development, a mashup is a web page or application that combines data or functionality from two or more external sources to create a new service. Using SaaS – Software as a service.

The services used in the mashup sample below are ArcGIS Server REST API services.
REST (= Representational State Transfer ) is a easy way to use ArcGIS services using URL commands in webbrowsers.
There are services that respond with a simple Yes/No or True/False. There are also services that respond with a list of objects within a given polygon for example.

GIS Conference 2009, Rotterdam

Last week, wednesday 23 and thursday 24 september there was the yearly GIS Conference in Rotterdam, organized by ESRI Netherlands.

In my time as Autodesk Techical Consultant it was unimaginable that I was present. But now as independent CAD/GIS Consultant, with an invitation from ESRI Sales & Marketing in the pocket, I was one of the 35% novices.

Of course I have attended many of these conferences at Autodesk and I was technically responsible for much European Sales & TechCamps, but the audience there where the Autodesk partners, the resellers.
These conferences where ment to explain the Autodesk GeoSpatial strategy to them, so they could evangelize to their customers, the end-users of the software.
Important part of these conferences where the technical trainings in the form of handson workshops.

The ESRI GIS Conference is an end-user conference and for many customers a yearly returning event.
These conferences are a showcase of end-user success stories, with guestspeakers who present GIS technologies & trends in general and from ESRI in particular.
Besides that there is a tradeshow where ESRI partners can show their added value, applications & services and meet with their customers.

There was a lot of interest in the Microsoft Surface Touch Table applications.
Long time ago computers had only keyboards as input devices, the mouse introduced a new way of working with software. Multi touch tables or walls are a new way of presenting data and working with software.

During the mainstage sessions and technical breakouts there where a couple of ( technical ) topics – like using Mashups in JavaScript, Flex & Microsoft Silverlight and the new ESRI NL Resource Center for sharing information – that draw my attention.
In the following posts I will go into more details.

ESRI Netherlands and Geodan signed an agreement to drive the development from the public safety system Eagle to the nex level.