microsoft mappoint vs. google maps

[Melissa S]

Recently bought a franchise. The "company" wants us to invest in
"mappoint" because it will show us our territory boundaries, NEW
client prospects (restaurants) and such..

I use a MAC. This isn't the right software for us... I guess it's 1)
hard to be patient while waiting for Google - but then 2) are they
going to try to create this type of info into the maps? Restaurant
locations that you could just "pick out" and highlight, hotels,
hospitals, etc.?
Does anyone know?

MS

[Roman N]

Hi Melissa,

As per this recent Google LatLong post:

    http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2009/08/i-didnt-know-that-was-there.html

there is a new feature in Google Maps that shows local businesses right on the map. This isn't available in the Maps API at this time, however. If you are looking into using the Maps API (for JavaScript or Adobe Flash), there are other alternatives for getting local business data on your map. The AJAX Search API is one such option:

http://code.google.com/apis/ajaxsearch/

It allows for local search queries (i.e. 'restaurants near <some address here>') to be conducted and then visualized with the Maps API.

Also, this is group for the Maps Data API; you can direct Google Maps questions here:

    http://maps.google.com/support/

and Maps API questions here:

    http://groups.google.com/group/Google-Maps-API

Thanks,
Roman