At 09:52 AM 01/29/1999 -0700, Bill Thoen wrote:
>Steve Wallace wrote:
>
>> I don't see how I went so long without MapBasic now. I just
>> wish it were included in the base price of the system (even if the base
>> price were raised a small amount).
>
>Just out of curiosity, would you say you've gotten at least $895
>worth of benefit out of it? Or how much do you think it's really
>worth?
Certainly it's worth the $795 list price. But I believe for the good of the
user base, it should be included with every MI Pro sold. Economics would then
say that if they had only 25% of the people using MapBasic now, they could
increase the base price of MapInfo by LESS THAN $199. I say less than 1/4 of
the list price because the savings on separate packaging, media, marketing,
etc.
I'm already sold on it. Couldn't live without it. Not bothering with any
version past 4.x so it stays compatible with my older 4.x MapInfo workstations
(wish there was a "save as version X" function).
But you know me, I'm always on the lookout for MapInfo corporate and MI users'
best interests. When people compare products and see that ArcView costs $1,195,
comes with Avenue (their scripting/programming language), and has 4 CD's worth
of data included... MapInfo's missing the (Map)Point somewhere. Even if MapInfo
is a better product, $1,295 + $795 = $2,090! That's almost $900 more than
ArcView.
I wish I still had some old Computer Shopper magazines where we could show the
trend of other software packages. Like when we would pay $495 for a copy of
Lotus 1-2-3 stand-alone (forget the devaluation of the dollar), now can get it
packaged with their database, scheduler, word processor and other extras for
$350. Same with Corel and Microsoft's suites. I won't even begin to talk about
all the price slashing on Competitive Upgrades.
When every redneck here in the south has (or knows about) GPS through his
hunting and boating excursions (after a couple six-packs, you need help to find
your way back to the truck), then GIS is truly proliferating the masses. This
will be the year of change in the GIS industry. While I don't expect MapInfo
will change the industry tides itself, I pray it rides the crest, or at least
gets swept along with it. The undertow for those insisting to stand fast on old
methods can be deadly.
Steve Wallace
GIS & Market Information Manager
Florida Farm Bureau Insurance Companies
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