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Brad:
Thanks for the review f the new NG atlas.
I'd like to point out, in National Geographic's defense, that this atlas
is in direct competition with the best-selling book in the world (on an
anniual basis), the Rand McNally Road Atlas. Many of the features
mentioned as drawbacks are present in the RM atlas, and I think in
general, the NG atlas is a great improvement. It might have been a
morally better choice to start from scratch, but when you're going into
competition with an established product, you have to take into
consideration the habits of the millions of people who use the
competition.
In particular, the alphabetic vs. regional question fir the US is
complicated. Other atlases (notably RS Wurman's USAtlas) have tried a
reional approach. Rand's own Atlas and Vaction Guide had (has?) a
regional organization, frankly, I find this confusing. If not on a
rectangular grid, how do you know which page to go to next? If ona
rectangular grid, how do you deal with the vastly different scales
needed for different parts of the country? You simply cannot map the
Northeast the same scale you map Montana. Perhaps a two- or three-part
grid. I don't know.
--
Nat Case
Hedberg Maps, Inc.
Publisher of PROFESSOR PATHFINDER Maps
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