I've seen it, but not looked at it.
As a VAR, I do have some strong opinions...
1. There is a cost to MapInfo just to stay current. Every time Windows
comes out with a new version, there's work for MapInfo just to make it work
correctly. So they need to come out with maintenance releases.
2. Maybe the features are ground shaking events. However, some of the
seemingly minor ones have huge impacts on daily users. For example, in 5.5,
the better editing algorithms are very significant, if you do drawing (we
do). In 6.0, cutting off the ends of lines to create polygons is an
exception feature(we just did a big project, and it would have saved us much
more than $600 in time).
3. Extending the product line to have OCX Products (MapX), and web-based
versions is HUGE. It actually has caused some pain for people who just use
MapInfo Pro(like newer versions seem buggier - older ones were bullet proof
when released). But it does open up many more ways to use mapping, and
makes it potentially available to many more people. If you are the key user
for your company, I bet lots of people ask you to make maps, and you tell
them you can't - you don't have the time - you'd be overwhelmed if you made
maps for everyone who wanted them What if they could make their own maps?
4. Enterprise-wide solutions - The web-based products and OCX give you
the potential to make things simpler. Also, the web & server based models
make it possible to update the information in 1 place and give access to
many. This reduces maintenance costs drastically. Plus, since MapInfo
charges per seat for desktop licenses, the Web-based server stuff actually
makes it CHEAPER if you have lots of people. Small companies don't, but
small companies can have lots of customers! You can open up your maps to
customers, sales execs, etc. with web mapping.
Think outside the box!
Best Wishes!
Dan Munson
CDS Business Mapping
----- Original Message -----
From: Bill Thoen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Cc: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Friday, May 05, 2000 1:14 PM
Subject: Re: Anyone used MI 6.0 yet?
> It's not shipping yet. June 1st is the scheduled date for North
> America. I think the only thing out now is the beta version,
> which no one is supposed to talk about in public.
>
> I think that most people actively using MapInfo now will upgrade.
> Casual users will probably think harder about it, but I really
> think most people will get it. A certain percentage will almost
> certainly try one of the cheap competitors, but will be back here
> in a year or so saying that their alternative makes a nice
> supplement to MapInfo. A smaller percentage will leave forever,
> and probably throw out all commercial software and switch to
> Linux and GRASS. At least that's what will happen if history is
> any guide to the present.
>
> - Bill Thoen
>
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> >
> > Just curious,
> > does anyone have any experiences with MI 6.0 yet along with any comments
> > on new features or views on if many users will flock to the recent
> > upgrade.
> >
> > any comments would be appreciated
> >
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