Open Letter to Delorme re: SA9 vs SA2003
Rich Carlson, N9JIG
From: "Rich Carlson, N9JIG" <ri...@n9jig.com>
Subject: StreetAtlas products
I have been a StreetAtlas customer since version 3 and have become so
totally familiar with the interface that it is second nature. I have
continued to use SA9 since it was the last version with the classic
StreetAtlas interface. While I would like to utilize newer, more
up-to-date maps, I really do not like the new interface introduced with
SA Deluxe and continued on to SA 2003 and presumably SA 2004 coming out
soon.
Is there any way one could utilize the map data from newer versions and
the classic SA9 style interface? Perhaps this could be made into an
option in the newer editions.
A couple items I miss from SA9 include the mouse-over identifiers of
items such as feature names (Railroads,waterways etc.) This was
fantastic, instead of having to select and highlight on an item to get
the name one just had to move the cursor over it. Another is the menu
system. Every program in the Windows world uses drop down menus for
options and selections. Why waste valuable screen space with hard to
navigate tabbed panels as in SA-D and SA 2003?
The ability to reduce or close all the windows to leave more screen
space for the actual map is extremely important, especially in a mobile
environment. Smaller screens on laptops and the need to be able to see
at a glance where you are is more important than the tabbed windows.
Using classic menus and keyboard shortcuts or even the ability to have
hot keys programmed for often used functions is huge.
I use SA-9 on my laptop at in my personal car for navigation, connected
to a GPS. I have also purchased SA-D but I prefer the classic interface
and find myself reverting to SA-9 almost every time. We also have SA-9
at our 9-1-1 center and on our police squads and fire vehicles to allow
users to find addresses. Everyone I have queried about this issue has
shown strong preferences for the classic interface and really dislikes
the new one.
--
Rich Carlson, N9JIG
ri...@n9jig.com
In Deo speramus, ceteros omnes observamus
Chicago Area Radio Monitoring Association (CARMA) http://www.carmachicago.com
Illinois Highways and Scanner Pages: http://www.n9jig.com
--
Rich Carlson, N9JIG rich (at) n9jig.com
IL Highways and Scanner page: http://www.n9jig.com
Chicago Area Radio Monitoring Association: http://www.carmachicago.com
In Deo speramus, ceteros omnes observamus
Guardian
I felt the same way about 2003,
I was a die hard SA9 user as well.
I have gotten used to the 2003 interface, but I would definitely
love to get rid of all the on screen toolbars, especially the right hand
bar as I almost never use it.
G
"Rich Carlson, N9JIG" <ri...@n9jig.com> wrote in message
news:rich-4CA43F.2...@netnews.attbi.com...
no-...@comcast.not
interface. We still use version 9 on most machines but are gradually
switching to Microsoft when the user's require updated maps. We'll
probably switch all of them to get everyone on the same software again
and I can't wait to hear the complaints. I used to be a solid Delorme
customer and probably sounded more like Dan than Dan does. 8)
Vincent Fox
>I have been a StreetAtlas customer since version 3 and have become so
>totally familiar with the interface that it is second nature. I have
>continued to use SA9 since it was the last version with the classic
>StreetAtlas interface.
Someone should start a petition. I would be happy to pay for an
updated map pack to SA9. I can't understand why Delorme can't offer
even something so simple as that, it would be high profit margin!
Come on DeLorme! I would prefer $20 but would go as high as $40 just to
keep using my wonderful SA9. Only reason I am less and less happy with it
as time passes is all the new small roads and subdivisions I am missing.
The fat pigs like SA2003 are not happy on my older laptop.
I can run SA9 on my ThinkPad 560X (P233MMX) quite happily.
--
Vincent Fox
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta Georgia, 30332
uucp: ...!{decvax,hplabs,ncar,purdue,rutgers}!gatech!prism!vf5
Internet: v...@prism.gatech.edu
LatLong
some improvements such as having multiple routes. And the speed of SA2003
is fine on my P4 machines, but not on my slower ones. Perhaps, SA2004 will
have some value added, such as the programming API that was advertised on
their box - and still is - on SA2003. With S&T 2004 at $15.00, there needs
to be something to turn interest on to SA2004.
"Rich Carlson, N9JIG" <ri...@n9jig.com> wrote in message
news:rich-4CA43F.2...@netnews.attbi.com...
LouW
I quit their beta program because it seemed that their decisions were all home grown and
refused to accept input from the field. They would send out beta sets on Friday, expect a
detailed report on Monday. Yet within two weeks of that hurry up deadline, I would read
on this group that people were receiving the release version. Like they really had time
to process and fix problems reported.
lou
Larry Sher
the lack of street names for zoom levels less than 13. This omission
renders SA2003 nearly useless for navigating in rural areas. I used to
use SA all the time for this purpose. Now I'm back to paper maps.
-Larry
Naples, NY
Don A
Are you looking at the same SA 2003 that I am? Put the mouse/cursor on
any railroad or MOST ponds of water and the full description appears at the
lower left of the main window. ...and dragging over the item works quite
fine.
You can close most of the windows by a] Dragging the vertical/horizontal
bars between the windows frames to where ever you want them or b] tapping
on the arrows near the top right of the BOTTOM biggest/left window c] it
seems to me it can also be done somewhere in the settings, but I don't do it
that way. Check the "help" file.
The "new" interface takes a little time to understand, but the program is
COMPLEX and if you want a simple "point and shoot" package, I don't believe
ANY GPS system qualifies. Once you get used to it, I think you will like
it, and I have used Delorme GPS stuff for nearly 10 years. The new system
is MUCH better in a moving vehicle where it is not as good on a desktop.
The old system worked better on a desktop.
Someone below in this NG favors MS S&T, and on the DESKtop it is probably
better than Delorme, but MS is the pits in a moving vehicle [even with the
GPS hack installed]. Microsoft does have better colors [in my opinion] and
Delorme's new package is supposed to be changing to better colors. The 2004
Delorme is supposed to correct a bunch of mapping "errors" by use of
satellite views. You can hardly blame Delorme for making an "error" when
the original PAPER map was wrong. Billy Gates' package has a LOT of errors
yet. "Someday" most companies will have pretty good maps with satellite
mapping coming on strong. Delorme's 2003 Interstates were within a few
inches of actuality.
Finally if you really have some protests, write Delorme a letter. I did.
And from the rumor mills it appears they put in a few features I suggested
[and I am sure a few other suggested].
...don
"Rich Carlson, N9JIG" <ri...@n9jig.com> wrote in message
news:rich-4CA43F.2...@netnews.attbi.com...
Rich Carlson, N9JIG
was hoping to see if there were people with similar thoughts as I and
there were (a bunch of them!)
The SA-(x) series was the best mapping interface for mobile use of all
the mapping products. The basic colors stood out well in a bright sunny
enviornment and was easy to read at a glance. Use of classic menu
protocols made it easy for people to find and use features.
I will re-check the mouse-over descriptions, it seemed I had to actually
click on the item to highlight it to get the description, I may be
mistaken there.
About the only thing I liked in MS S&T (Besides that it was free after a
$20.00 rebate from Sam's Club...) was that it included Canada where
SA(x) did not. Last year we went thru Ontario on our way east and I had
to rely on my route recollections until I remembered I had S&T installed
on the laptop.
I have never blamed DeLorme for mapping errors. It is way too hard to
keep current with the amount of changes. I am amazed at how accurate
DeLorme products actually are, considering the amount of data is present.
I will get SA2004, but will likely also pine for my old SA(x)
interface...
In article
<c_hZa.92098$3o3.6...@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net>,
"Don A" <d...@theavilas.net> wrote:
--
James H. Fox
somewhat bitter message to Delorme complaining that the new toolbars took up
too much space. I want to see the map, not their cute controls, most of
which could be accommodated with smaller icons using only one of the
toolbars anyway. They at least had the courtesy to respond that they would
forward my comments to the developers. We will see what results in the next
version.
Dan Lawyer
you can the tabs, but if you stop and think about it, it doesn't take up
anymore room that the menus and toolbars you need and couldn't completely
get rid of in the SA# line.
If you're having problems seeing the map details when you're traveling, use
the magnify feature on the control panel, it really helps.
Dan
"James H. Fox" <foxjhNO...@rcn.com> wrote in message
news:bh5p3q$3b6$1...@bob.news.rcn.net...