----------------------------Original message---------------------------- GISes are often used to to produced ugly maps--as has been pointed out GIS instructors rarely teach cartography. I would also add the cartography teachers don't often know the capabilities of GISes like ARC/INFO--anybody who makes a bad map with ARC/INFO has not used the full capabilites of the system (or has bad taste, or hardware limitations). That ARC/INFO is hard to use is expensize and hard to use is true, but I'm under the impression that email lists like UIGIS-L (User Interface) exist to help address that problem. Undoubtedly, there will be (if not already) easier to use systems that are just as capable. As to the complete replacement of paper maps, obviously not. As has been pointed out, computers have not replaced books and other paper documents--however how many of those documents are still produced on typewriters? Part of the intent of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure is to allow the rapid and cost effective update of map products; by storing data digitally, rather than on mylar, map products can be changed easily. The control of these changes is a known issue; addressing this is part of the FGDC's charter. This will, I think, also makes mass- produced maps like the 7.5' series, for the most part, obsolete. More coal on the fire, Alan Brenner