A new feature at ArcGIS 10 is the ability to create a map package (file extension of MPK) using all the data that is in a map document (MXD). It will act just like the layer package that was introduced at ArcGIS 9.3.1. The package includes the map document (version 10 mxd) and the data (even if the data is from diverse places).

The map package will self extract using the ArcGIS File Handler utility (ArcGISFilehandler.exe utility in your Program Files\Common Files\ArcGIS\bin folder, it also automatically installed with ArcGIS Explorer 900), it will by default place the files in your My Documents (XP) / Documents (Vista & Win7) > ArcGIS > Packages.

This is a great way to share a whole map with someone at a different location, however they will need to have ArcGIS 10, it won't work in ArcGIS 9.x. You will also be able to upload map packages to ArcGIS Online.

Note: I'm part of the ArcGIS 9.4/10 beta, and that is how I found out about that information.

Projections and transformations can be very confusing, especially if you don't do it very often. A common transformation when working with North American datasets is NAD 83 projections to WGS 84 (Latitude & Longitude). When you use the Project tool found in ArcToolbox > Data Management Tools > Projections and Transformations > Feature (or Raster) > Project, you need to specify which Geographic Transformation you need to use. Below is a guide :

First part is the name of the transformation -> Second part is the code -> Third part is the area of use (where is the data located that is being transformed).

• NAD_1983_To_WGS_1984_1 -> 1188 -> Canada, Central America, Mexico, and United States (Alaska, CONUS)
• NAD_1983_To_WGS_1984_2 -> 1251 -> United States - Alaska - Aleutians
• NAD_1983_To_WGS_1984_3 -> 1252 -> United States - Hawai'i
• NAD_1983_To_WGS_1984_4 -> 1308 -> United States - CORS ITRF94
• NAD_1983_To_WGS_1984_5 -> 1515 -> United States - CORS ITRF96
• NAD_1983_To_WGS_1984_6 -> 1696 -> Canada - Quebec
• NAD_1983_To_WGS_1984_7 -> 1697 -> Canada – Saskatchewan
• NAD_1983_To_WGS_1984_8 -> 1702 -> Canada – Alberta

The above was taken directly from a document installed with ArcGIS, it's usually found at C:\Program Files\ArcGIS\Documentation\geographic_transformations.pdf.

Have you ever wanted to increment or increase the value of a field by 1 or a fixed amount? Here are the steps to do so in ArcMap 9.x:

1. Add or use an existing numeric field(Short Integer, Long Integer, Double).
2. Start an edit session.
3. Right click on the numeric field from step 1, and click Calculate Values.
4. Check the Advanced check box.
5. Paste in the following code into the Pre Logic VBA Script code:

Static rec As Long
Dim pStart As Long
Dim pInterval As Long

pStart = 1
' Make pStart equal whatever number you want to start at.

pInterval = 1
' Make pInterval equal whatever number you want to increment by.

If (rec = 0) Then
rec = pStart
Else
rec = rec + pInterval
End If

6. Type the word "rec" into the bottom text box (below fieldname =).
7. Hit the OK button to run and remember to Save your edits.

This was based on the instructions at: http://support.esri.com/index.cfm?fa=knowledgebase.techarticles.articleS...