Q: What is ?

is a custom mapping application that lets you view one or multiple ArcIMS and Web Map Service (WMS) map services in your Web browser. Use to access hundreds of ArcIMS and WMS map services available through the or other mapping sites to view individually or together.

Q: I have Netscape 4.5. Can I use ?

No. requires a Java component that only newer versions of browsers have. The supported browsers are Netscape 4.7, 6.1, and 7.x, and Internet Explorer 5.5 and 6.x. Recommended browsers are Netscape 7.x and Internet Explorer 6.x.

Q: What types of map services are supported?

allows access to ArcIMS image services and WMS services only. does not support display of ArcIMS feature services, because the feature data can not be streamed to a lightweight Internet browser application.

Q: Which ArcIMS versions are supported?

fully supports map services published using ArcIMS 3.1 and above. Map services published using ArcIMS 3.0 are partially supported in that they can be viewed by themselves, but cannot be viewed together with other map services.

Q: Which WMS versions are supported?

fully supports WMS version 1.1.1 and earlier map services.

Q: Many ArcIMS map services contain projected data. Will I be able to view these services with other map services?

You will be able to view map services using projected data with other services if the map service contains projection information. If the ArcXML file used to create the map service contains accurate values for the FILTERCOORDSYS and FEATURECOORDSYS tags, you will be able to view the map service with other map services.

Q: What happens when two map services are in different projections?

projects both map services into geographic coordinates and displays them, assuming the projection information is provided in the map service (see above).

Q: What happens when two map services are in the same projection?

displays them in the projection in which they are published.

Q: Why can I only add remote services? Why can't I add local data even though I'm on the same network as the local services?

is hosted on a server at ESRI. It can only access map services that are on the Internet. It has no way of accessing map services located behind firewalls. If your local map service is on the Internet and can be accessed remotely, then you will be able to add it to .

Q: Why can I see all map services in the Explorer, but asks me for a user name and password for some map services?

Map services requiring a user name and password have restricted access and are often available for a license fee. These map services can be previewed in the Explorer as individual map services, but require a valid user name and password to view in or other mapping applications that provide more advanced functionality, such as image overlay.

Is my user name and password information secure with ?

Yes. runs on http, but sends passwords to an https server.

Q: How can I get access to restricted services?

The View Details tab in the Explorer contains information at the bottom of the page about access constraints for each map service. You can generally access a restricted map service by subscribing to it for a fee.

Q: Why do I sometimes have to login again in the middle of a session?

Connection to a service sometimes is lost due to network problems. If the service is a restricted service, you will be asked to login again for security reasons. A login also is required if you have a long period of inaction during a session and the session times out.

Q: Why do labels overlap when I have multiple map services?

When you request a map with multiple map services, the request is forwarded to the servers that host those services, and the servers send back map images which are merged to create the map that you see in the display. Since servers and map services are independent of one other, labels and features may overlap.

Q: Can I turn off labels?

If labels are on individual layers in a map service, you can turn off that particular layer.

Q: How does the Set Transparency feature work?

When you add a map service to , it is automatically assigned a transparency of 50%. This is done so that you can view multiple map services with minimum effort. If you wish to set transparencies for individual map services, you may use the Set Transparency tool. Once you set a transparency, it stays with the service even when you move it up or down. Note that if you only have one map service in , setting a transparency for it will have no effect on it; it will be opaque. However, if you add another map service and move it to the bottom, the transparency you set for the first service will be in effect. Also, the map service at the bottom of the list will always be opaque, regardless of its transparency.

Q. How long will a map link be available if I add it to my Web page?

We monitor the usage of map links and active links will not be deleted. A link is considered inactive if it is not used in three (3) months.

Q. Save Map allows me to save a map view. Can I also save the map image as a .jpeg or .gif?

Yes. You can save the map image as well. Click Open Print Page. This opens a window with a printable version of the map. You can right-click on the map image and save it to your computer.

Q: When I click the Open Print Page button, nothing happens. How do I get it to work?

If there is an extension to the browser installed or an applicaton which blocks popup windows, for example, the Google toolbar, then the Open Print Page window will not display.