All We've had this discussion before but it never hurts to go over it again.
The key differences between MapX and MI Pro are (for me anyway) 1. Cost - MapX is a developer component not a fully-fledged desktop product and is priced accordingly. Note that it also underpins the non-Java web products. 2. Functionality - MapX is increasingly feature-rich but does much less than MI Pro. 3. Ease of programming/integration - MapX will drop into any development environment that supports ActiveX. I've even had it running in Oracle Forms quite happily. MapBasic and integrated mapping have many devoted adherents (including me) and MapBasic programs in particular can run very quickly but its not easy to integrate into other apps. The code exists and its been done but its ugly. This is all going to change with .NET we hope but this is the current situation. Both products are stable and good to work with - you can deliver complex editing etc with MapX but the classic split would be: 1. Power users - MI Pro and customised apps built in MapBasic or possibly integrated mapping apps. 2. Wider community on the LAN - 'viewer' apps built in VB, C++, VBA, Powerbuilder, Delphi etc. HTH Paul Crisp Syntegra Innovation Place Delta Bank Road Newcastle NE11 9DJ Tel 0191 461 4522 Fax 0191 460 1987 -----Original Message----- From: Simmonds, Ashley (PTB) [mailto:simmonds.ashley@;saugov.sa.gov.au] Sent: 22 October 2002 07:15 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: MI-L Mapbasic & MapX (Advice request) i do the same, and many others here would also. if you're familiar with VB, you'll find MapBasic a doddle, just have handy the help file and a DEF file (if not included in your app) and it's not hard to figure stuff out. within your VB code you can easily interact with MapInfo through .DO, .EVAL, and .RUNMENUCOMMAND commands, and this allows for more control over the environment. i learnt most of my stuff through having the MapBasic window open while doing stuff in MapInfo and figuring out what it did. that, and asking questions on this list. i don't know a great deal about MapX, however from a casual observation it seems to have less control available than MapInfo, but that's a very casual observation. it may actually cost less than the MapInfo Pro option if many users are going to be doing stuff with the product, though the runtime version may or may not alleviate some of that. others will have a more valid/useful opinion than mine, but everyone else on the planet is still asleep. ash -----Original Message----- From: Matt Bolton [mailto:m3it@;technologist.com] Sent: Tuesday, 22 October 2002 3:25 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: MI-L Mapbasic & MapX (Advice request) My job primarily involves writing VB apps to interact with Access databases, but has recently expanded to include dealing with MapInfo. I've learnt the very basics of MapInfo and now need to start automating it to make operation very simple for end users. This will mainly involve extracting data from databases and using this to generate thematic layers in Mapinfo. My research indicates that my options here are either: a). Learn and use MapBasic, or b). Purchase and learn to use the MapX control. Option b) would probably be easier for me, but will cost more due to MapInfo's licensing arrangements for this control. I am seeking advice on the best option to pursue, especially with respect to: 1. Whether both options would provide equivalent functionality or if one gives much more scope for automation. 2. The ease of learning of both options. 3. Recommendations of books or web sites for learning MapBasic. Thanks in advance, Matt -- Matt Bolton Mach 3 IT Mobile 0412 122 416 Email [EMAIL PROTECTED] --------------------------------------------------------------------- List hosting provided by Directions Magazine | www.directionsmag.com | To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Message number: 3675 --------------------------------------------------------------------- List hosting provided by Directions Magazine | www.directionsmag.com | To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Message number: 3676 ******************************************************************** This email may contain information which is privileged or confidential. If you are not the intended recipient of this email, please notify the sender immediately and delete it without reading, copying, storing, forwarding or disclosing its contents to any other person Thank you Check us out at http://www.syntegra.com ********************************************************************
