ArcGIS API For Microsoft Silverlight And ArcGIS API For Flex Replace Header Images On My Blog

Over the last few days I have been looking for something to spark my blog. I thought about a new theme and was browsing around some of the free CSS templates. Problem is that it’s not easy finding nice looking free CSS templates. I then realised that the current theme I have is not too bad. It’s fresh, clear, clean and gives a nice layout. Thinking more about this, I decided, why not replace the header images on my blog with an interactive map using some of the new API’s from ESRI?

And the result is what you see above. By default the map in the header will load using the ArcGIS API for Microsoft Silverlight.

If you do not have the Microsoft Silverlight installed, the map in the header will load using the ArcGIS API for Flex.

If you do not have Adobe Flash installed, you will see a prompt to install Microsoft Silverlight.

Having a fully interactive map really adds some value. It allows visitors to not only see parts of New Zealand but also interact with the map and control what they see browsing around the country. I think this showcases the ArcGIS API for Microsoft Silverlight and the ArcGIS API for Flex quite nicely.

Talking to Morten this morning, he has built on my idea and added a few tweaks to his blog. He has replaced the header image with a ArcGIS API for Microsoft Silverlight map which zooms to different extents giving you an ArcGIS Explorer feel. With the automated zoom to the map is not interactive though. You can see his version of my idea here: http://www.sharpgis.net/

I have a few more ideas where I will be integrated the API’s into my blog. Have a play and see what you think. Let me know if you have any comments or feedback.