This message was forwarded to the list by Larry Cruse. Note that the software
is being evaluated by NON-cartographers.------------Johnnie
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[log in to unmask]
Thu, 19 May 1994 10:10:00 -0700
Re: Mapping software (fwd)
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Wed, 18 May 1994 17:51:48 -0400
John Freed <[log in to unmask]>
Multiple recipients of list CARR-L <[log in to unmask]>
Re: Mapping software
I have used Mapinfo for Windows and Atlas*GIS for DOS.
IMHO, Mapinfo (version 2) has all the capabilities of
Atlas, plus has several advantages:
1) Mapinfo has a Mac version. Files are 100% compatible
from Windows to Mac. Training is vastly simplified -- the
versions are keystroke-for-keystroke identical.
2) Speed is nearly the same. I ran some tests on very
complex geographic matches; Atlas averaged 500 seconds and
Mapinfo 490 on one set.
3) Atlas for DOS has the huge drawback of needing a
separate driver for each new monitor or printer that comes on
the market.
4) Atlas uses a Lotus 1-2-3 style of menus; Mapinfo uses
the typical GUI (graphical user interface).
5) Atlas for DOS requires you to physically append
together all "layers" you want to examine, into one big file.
For instance, if you have one map with Zip codes and another
with census tracts and another with, say, school sites, you
have to merge those all together in Atlas. By contrast, Mapinfo
lets you keep each as a separate file and just open and close
them as needed. I found this to be a big advantage for Mapinfo.
Having said all that, I must note that there's a new
Atlas*GIS for Windows that has just come on the market. I
haven't tried it. It should remedy issues 3 and 4, at least. So
far as I know, they don't have a Mac version.
And, there's a new version 3 of Mapinfo that just came on
the market, Windows version only. The Mac version should be out
soon. Version 3 allows you to "underlay" raster images (SPOT
satellite photos, scanned maps, etc.).
Cheers,
John Freed [log in to unmask]
Database Editor ... speaking only for myself
The New York Times (212)556-7553
Responding to msg by [log in to unmask] (Ford Fessenden) on
>Does anybody out there have any particular preference
>for one mapping software package over another? Have
>read some of the reviews, but would be interested in
>the hands-on experience of other journalist/quantifiers
> in adapting this stuff to reportorial endeavors.
>Quirks, peeves, etc. Cost not necessarily an object,
>but learning curve could be. Graphics possibilities,
>ease of translation of product to art dept. another key
> issue.
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