I've been testing mapping software for a very simple application.
The school I work for does orienteering to teach map and compass skills, teamwork, leadership, delegation and planning.
Our orienteering area covers about 200 square kilometers. Up to now we have used part of the NTS 1:50000 topo map. This is marginally usable, but had many deficiencies:
A: The forestry overprint lacked detail and was years out of date.
B: The topgraphy was as much as 200 m out horizontally -- at least when reckoned against user grade GPS. (Other features were correct, so we did have the datum and projection right.)
So we've decided to put together our own map.
Our needs are simple: Orthorectified, registered raster image background + UTM grid + topygraphy contours, preferably at 5 meter intervals + Name layer. If the computer version could also do queries against our controls (orienteering controls, NOT survey
controls) database that was icing on the cake.
So far I've run:
Manifold, which I finally rejected because of a clunky interface.Terrain from Softree: The free version doesn't do contours (but it does nice contours in demo mode...) It's output options are very clunky.
fGIS: Output options very limited.
MapMaker Pro: Currently the most usable one I've tried. But quirky interface, and flat layer management, and it doesn't play nicely with other applications.
ARCgis. I like the hierarchical layer management, but so far haven't figure out how
to create a blank layer to draw on.
Ocad 8: Doesn't handle raster stuff well, and the standard version doesn't handle register multiple rasters.
OziExlorer: Quite a nice map viewer and GPS tool, but not a map making program.
I'll post my experiences here for several reasons:
1. The experiences of a new person to any software can give valid insights to interface design. See what they try to do: If it makes sense, incorporate into the next
version. If it doesn't make sense, pass it on to the documentation team so the concept is clarified.
2. As I stumble through this, others may get a laugh at my naive approach to GIS. (Everyone is of some use, if nothing else, to serve as a horible example.)
3. I may discover a bug that is unknown to the mapinfo people.
4. If I make enough good suggestions, the people at MapInfo may donate a 1 seat license of
MapInfo Pro to my school.
So: If you have no patience for newbies who ask odd questions, add my name to your kill file.
-- Sherwood Botsford
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