Conclusion
While both software packages have desirable features, neither
alone provides an ‘ideal’ user experience.
ArcGIS is much preferred for its true database functionality,
ability to show labels on screen when viewing a map, and a raster
viewer application built into the system. It is handicapped however
by the need to create and view in another application (ArcScene) to
take advantage of 3D/DEM based information. It is also a package
that requires great amounts of money to acquire and a steep learning
curve to get to fairly simple functioning.
Google Earth is inexpensive (free for the basic version),
easy to learn and use and has high resolution images and 3D features
built-in. It lacks, however, an easy map labeling function and true
database functionality.
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