8 replies to this topic

[Matthew Hampton]

Has anyone any information/experience with these two softwares?

[Nick Springer]

I can tell you anything and everything about MapPoint since I designed the software when I worked at Microsoft.

Not sure what you want to know, but here's an overview:

- Street level (Navteq and GDT data) maps of the US and Europe
- Closed geographic data set (no GIS or map data editing capabilities)
- Address finding and route planning
- Display of thematic map data:
-- Included demographic data
-- Imported tabular info from Office apps or text files mapped to exisiting geographic data
-- Linked data sets from flat files or databases
- Types of thematic maps:
-- Choropleth
-- Charts (pie, column, bar)
-- Graduated circles
-- Point locations (single symbol, categorical symbols, or shaded circles)
- Some very basic querying and data export using radius and boxes

There's more but it gets detailed. Let me know if you have specific questions.

[Hans van der Maarel]

I use MapPoint every now and then, mainly for light GIS tasks or reference. I really should invest some time in trying out the thematic mapping options, I've been thinking of adding MapPoint services to my business portfolio...

It can of course be used as a geocoder for Manifold, which is very useful, and it has an FME application extender, so I can import GIS data.

[Nick Springer]

I forgot to mention MapPoint has an extensive API which makes it very easy to create rich mapping applications of your own.

[Matthew Hampton]

A planner asked me for information about a basic, low-cost GIS tool that was simple enough for a luddite and he had questions about both MapPoint and Maptitude. I steered him toward Manifold primarily for the "cost" side of the equation - but have heard a little bit from the community that Manifold's UI takes a bit to get used to.

GRASS, while free has too steep of a learning curve for non-tech's.

Google Earth would probably fit the bill if it could do basic geoprocessing. It can already geocode, measure, and display thematic data.

Can MapPoint clip, buffer, intersect, union, etc. data? What are its weaknesses?
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Thanks,
Matthew

[Nick Springer]

Can MapPoint clip, buffer, intersect, union, etc. data? What are its weaknesses?

MapPoint definitely does not have any of those GIS functions you mentioned (although I suppose you could write something with the API, but then what's the point).

It's biggest other weakness is it's lack of ability to add any map base data other than the built in Navteq data. Nor can you change the colors or styles of the base map.

These features were contemplated, but the goal was to create a business mapping application for MS Office users, which it does VERY well. So, basically MapPoint, while a great application, is meant for a spcific purpose which doesn't sound suits your needs.

[Hans van der Maarel]

Matthew,

As Nick said, MapPoint doesn't really fit that particular profile, but Manifold might be just the thing for you. There's some pretty good discussions on it in other threads on Cartotalk.

[Maptitude]

A review of Maptitude and MapPoint is available at: http://www.caliper.c...g Solutions.pdf
For those who are interested, more information can be found on the Maptitude mapping software at http://www.caliper.com

Edited by Maptitude, 14 February 2008 - 01:18 PM.

[sitesatlas]

I used Maptitude a lot a few years ago before switching to Manifold. I described my mixed experience with it here: http://www.cartotalk...?showtopic=2747