This week's Directions on the News podcast explores the criteria for buying a desktop mapping system. Directions Magazine Editor-in-Chief Joe Francica will run through a check list of items that are important in considering a desktop solution for products in the $250 to $2,500 range. There are some extremely capable systems on the market and this podcast looks at the functionality that will be right for your purchase decision. (Prices provided where available.)
The podcast is 11:37 minutes and was recorded on June 11, 2007.
[podcast: "070612_don.mp3"]

Find more information at the Directions Magazine Desktop Mapping Directory

A sample selection of desktop mapping products are listed below:

AGIS v. 1.73 (Australia) (Shareware)

Ambiente Informatica Ltda (Brazil)
PolyMap v. 2.5

Caliper (USA)
Maptitude 4.8 - $495
Other variations
Maptitude International ($595)
Maptitude Great Britain ($595)

Clark University ($1250)
IDRISI

Delorme (USA)
XMap 5.0 ($239.95)
XMap GIS Professional ($1499.95)
Directions Magazine Review on XMap 5.0 GIS Enterprise

ESRI (USA)
ArcView ($1495)
BusinessMap ($499.95)
Directions Magazine Review (BusinessMap)

MapInfo, A Pitney Bowes Company (USA)
MapInfo Professional v. 8.5 ($1495)
Directions Magazine Review (MapInfo Professional v. 8.0)

Map Maker Ltd. (UK)
Map Maker Gratis ($0.00, free viewer)
Map Maker ($443) (�225)

Microsoft Corporation (USA)
MapPoint 2006 ($299.00)
Directions Magazine Review (MapPoint 2006):
http://www.directionsmag.com/product_reviews.php?feature_id=143

SitesUSA (USA)
REGIS (Real Estate Geographic Information System)

Intergraph Corporation (USA)
GeoMedia
Directions Magazine Product Review (v 5.1)

Manifold (USA)
Manifold v. 6.5 ($295; $325 w/geocoding)

Tactician (USA)
TacticianOne - $2495

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