What's Coming in ArcGIS 9.3.1?

What's Coming in ArcGIS 9.3.1?

ArcGIS 9.3.1 is likely to improve the performance of dynamic map publishing and increases the sharing of geographic information.

High-Performance Dynamic Map Publishing

New faster rendering engine

• Outperforms equivalent ArcIMS services.
• Produces significantly better-looking maps.
• Shortens map caching time.
• Quicker, smoother zoom and pan.
  

* New Map Optimization toolbar in ArcMap helps you tune-up your map documents before publishing to ArcGIS Server.

• Review and respond to errors, unsupported content, and warnings about items that will slow down your dynamic map services.
• Preview your optimized map document and estimated rendering time.
• Save your optimized map document to the new Map Server Document (.MSD)
  

Better Sharing of Geographic Information

* Better sharing of layers through ArcGIS Online

• Layers can be packaged and published through ArcGIS Online Web services.
• Layers can be found through a Web search.
• Contributors can organize and control access to the layers they share.
  

Enhanced Support for Java Developers

* Ability to create the following extensions:

• custom geoprocessing tools
• server object extensions (SOEs) for ArcGIS Server
• class extensions for custom behavior
• custom renderer's for customized rendering of data
• plug-in data sources
• custom layers
  

* Support for Eclipse integrated development environment (IDE)

• wizards to generate boilerplate code based on the developer's specification
• autodeploy feature
  

**Upgrading to ArcGIS 9.3.1 does NOT require uninstalling ArcGIS 9.3**

Easy to migrate or work in mixed environments of ArcGIS 9.3 and ArcGIS 9.3.1 within the same organization since geodatabases, map documents, and APIs do not change.

When?
ArcGIS 9.3.1 is scheduled to be available in Q2 2009.

Source:
http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/whats-new/whats-coming.html

Related:
http://webhelp.esri.com/arcgisdesktop/9.3/pdf/Whats_New_In_ArcGIS_93.pdf
(large pdf)

Existing Patches for ArcGIS 9.3 (SP1)

ArcGIS 9.3 SP1 (Desktop, Engine, Server) Geodatabase Replication System Version Patch
(December 17, 2008 - PATCH)

ArcGIS 9.x License Manager Update
(December 9, 2008 - PATCH)

ArcGIS 9.3 Service Pack 1
(November 24, 2008 - SERVICE PACK)

ArcGIS 9.3 SP1 (Desktop, Engine, Server) Topology Validation Patch
(November 19, 2008 - PATCH)

Military Overlay Editor 9.3 Service Pack 1
(October 17, 2008 - SERVICE PACK)

http://support.esri.com/index.cfm?fa=downloads.patchesServicePacks.listPatches&PID=43&FilterPV=457&FilterType=8%2C5

ESRI Wiki - System Requirements
http://wikis.esri.com/wiki/display/ag93bsr/ArcGIS+Desktop