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5 Web GIS tools to explore before winter term

With the fall term wrapping up on university and college campuses and winter term still weeks away, keep your Web GIS skills sharp with these latest releases from Esri.

It's that wonderful time of year when the last assignment has been submitted, the last exam written, and college and university students can enjoy a much needed break before the start of the winter term. What better way to enjoy that break than by catching up on these latest releases from Esri for Web GIS developers?

1. Web AppBuilder for ArcGIS (Developer Edition) version 1.3

The developer edition of Web AppBuilder allows you to build and configure responsive apps quickly with out-of-the-box widgets, while giving you greater control over the appearance of your apps and the ability to add your own custom widgets.

The December 2015 release includes four new widgets, like the Batch Attribute Editor widget, and enhancements to many of the existing out-of-the-box widgets.

2. ArcGIS API for JavaScript version 3.15

The JSAPI gives developers full control over the appearance and content of their Web apps. Among the new or enhanced classes and methods in version 3.15 are the vector tile layer and the predominance renderer.

3. ArcGIS API for JavaScript version 4.0 beta 3

Version 4.0 of the JSAPI will bring 3D support to Web apps, as well as simplify and add consistency to the JSAPI. Although beta versions should not be used in production apps, they do provide developers with opportunities to explore and test new functionality.

4. Story Maps Developers' Corner

Story Maps app templates can help you share your maps and geographic data in ways that even non-GIS people will find interesting and engaging. Check out the tips and tricks on the new Developers' Corner site to find ways to enhance your story maps, whether you’re a beginner or experienced developer.

But it’s also important to take time over the holidays to appreciate the great Canadian landscape:

5. Banff's Bow Valley Snow Tour

Cold weather gear is optional.

See current road and ski conditions in Bow Valley in this live Web cam Map Tour created by the Town of Banff, Alberta.

About the Author

Krista Amolins is a Higher Education Specialist with Esri Canada. Her career in GIS started when she came across the Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering program at the University of New Brunswick and thought it sounded interesting. She earned a PhD in Geomatics Engineering, focusing on lidar data classification, and now she supports teaching and learning with ArcGIS at colleges and universities across Canada. Krista particularly enjoys interacting with the students who receive an Esri Canada GIS Scholarship or apply for the Esri Young Scholars Award each year. She also enjoys playing with apps and doing a bit of coding when she has time.

Profile Photo of Krista Amolins