ArcGIS Online seems very limited

[BradfordFolta]

I was hoping to publish data from an ArcSDE Server to ArcGISonline.com and have it be somewhat useful, but it looks like the functionality of the online version is very limited. For example:

Cannot query or search attribute data.
Cannot display labels on features from a feature dataset.
Cannot turn individual layers off or on.
Cannot create subfolders.
Limitations on the quantity of features (.shp files)

The interactive ability is practically nil. Seems like you can look at the geometry, and click an object to display some fields, and change the colors of symbol representation - but that's about it. Google Earth still seems to be a better choice for sharing ArcGIS data with outside groups, because ArcGIS online doesn't offer much that Google doesn't already do, and Google really offers more features and is more user friendly.

Am I missing something? Or is this intentionally designed to provide minimum usefulness? Until I have a web service available to publish to, I was hoping this online service would suffice in the interim, but so far I'm very disappointed. Sure it's free, but not very useful in comparison to GE. Loading published maps seems quite flaky too, I usually have to repeat several steps over and over again and eventually it comes out right after a lot of trial and error - I don't have the time for this stuff. Make it work right the first time, make it useful. Buggy, inconsistent software with limited functionality is not going to be something I will grow to rely on. ArcGISonline is a nice idea, but to date, poorly executed.

-Dave

[DavidWeaver]

I think it is because ESRI is trying to sell ArcGIS online for Organizations subscription service which is supposed to have a lot more capability. I have not been able to become a part of the beta testing but I am waiting to evaluate it when it becomes available.

[Anonymous User]

I think you're comparing two different products - google earth and arcgis.com. Google earth can perform many of the things you are looking for because its a separate desktop application, not browser based. ESRI's ArcGIS Explorer is a desktop application that has similar functionality to google earth. Explorer lets you load shapefiles, layer packages, and services hosted on an arcgis server. Going over your list:
Cannot query or search attribute data. - can do with Explorer
Cannot display labels on features from a feature dataset. - can do this with Explorer and feature label add-in
Cannot turn individual layers off or on - can do this with Explorer
Cannot create subfolders. - ?? of what ??
Limitations on the quantity of features (.shp files) - no limit with shapefiles or layer packages loaded in Explorer

Many of the tasks you're looking for are not possible in a browser based map, whether esri or google, only a desktop application. Some of the things you listed are available by publishing hosted services with the arcgis online for organizations subscription, which should be released soon. But I don't believe you can do many of those things in google maps, which is Google's browser based solution.

And to blast ArcGIS.com (Buggy, inconsistent software with limited functionality?) because it won't do some of the things you want is not necessary. calling it inconsistent software really doesn't hold water because its not software - its a browser based service. Explorer and Google Earth are software.

If you have ideas or criticisms, you can post at http://ideas.arcgis.com/, but the desktop application or upcoming subscription will do pretty much everything on your list.

[DavidWeaver]

Glad to hear that the subscription service will be able to query and search as well as display attribute data. Now just to get my bosses to buy it when it comes out.

[MikeMinami]

Just to be clear, a subscription will allow you to host two types of services initially. A tiled map service and a feature service. The map service contains only tiles and doesn't support queries. The feature service, however, does.

Thanks,

Mike

[Anonymous User]

Glad to hear that the subscription service will be able to query and search as well as display attribute data. Now just to get my bosses to buy it when it comes out.

And to just clarify, a query on hosted feature services is possible in Explorer/Explorer Online, not the basic web viewer. And I don't think labeling is a feature yet, but that's been on the list for awhile.

[JenniferAboaf]

I am also disappointed with the 30 day trial for Arcgis.com online. It doesn't seem any more functional, in terms of labeling, than the Free version (arcgis explorer online).

The whole idea that you can't label features is a deal breaker for me.

Does anyone at ESRI have an anticipated date when labeling and more functionality will be available? I can't imagine spending $2500 for this version (for 5 users) at this point. But I love the idea as a potential enterprise solution.

[MikeMinami]

You can do labeling now by creating a hosted tiled map service. The labels would be part of the tiles. Can you describe your labeling needs a bit more?

Thanks,

Mike

[SusannaJackson]

Can anyone confirm that ArcGIS Online for Organization DOES indeed have the funtionality of labeling the maps features?
And can a user query the map (using AGO for Org) for features?

--- as opposed to the free 30 day trial where those 2 functions do not exist......

and does anyone have a matrix of the available features in the free trial or Personal use AGO vs the full subscription AGO?

[MikeMinami]

There is no additional labeling. You have to author your map services with labels enabled. Feature services don't support labels.

It is possible to form simple queries by authoring your web maps ArcGIS Explorer Online. However, the ability to build queries is not currently present in the ArcGIS.com map viewer and is still under development

Here's a comparison table.

http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcgisonline/features/comparison-table

Thanks,

Mike