MapForums

Does anyone know what the features are in MapPoint 2004? Is it 2000 data and census tracts? What new features are in it compared to MapPoint 2002?

Thanks,
Carmen

I sure hope that they improve the following:

1) The ability to get UPDATED maps; I have roads that have been done for over 2 years that are not on my maps. Why can't MS deliver these updates along with the construction updates? I know their data provider must have these updates. The Map Feedback feature seems to get ignored at MS. This is especially troubling in an area that is growing fast!

2) Custom territory recognition; I want to create my own territories based on my custom boundaries instead of the zip code or census tract data. These do nothing for the person setting up territories within a city.

3) Easier pushpin creation and customization; I should be able to create a custom pushpin and then change its colors at will. For example: I could create a car pushpin and then select various colors of that car to indicate the status of a dealership (grey=no contact, blue=sold, etc.) Currently, I have to create each individual color as a separate pushpin.

4) Color selection for data pushpins should be more than a few colors! They should be at least 16-bit (64,000+ colors) or more. This is the year 2003 right?! Enough said.

I will be very disappointed if this is just a rehash for $299. And by the way, why is there so little information about MP 2004? At this point (July 8, 2003) I can't even find leaked feature info on Google!!!

There will be an upgrade version for $229.

Of course there will be updated data, I don't think you can do #'s 2 or 3, not sure about #4. Do you mean the built-in Pushpins? You can have more colors on custom pushpins.

Eric

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I haven't been able to find any information on the MS site or Google regarding the actual features and changes from Mappoint 2002. Since they're taking pre-orders, I assume that it's probably RTM by now. Does anyone know what improvements and changes are in this version?

Bob F

Hi Eric,

Of course I expect updated data, but what I meant is to be able to get updated maps via download whenever their data provider has them available. Updated construction information in version 2002 is nice, but it is used primarily for road closure/time estimates. I'm referring to the fact that MP 2002 has not updated its maps for new construction for over 2 years in Chicago. I know their data provider has the new information if it has been 2 years since a new road has been open -- even Rand/McNally has this info!

It is very irritating not being able to import datasets that fall along 2-year-old roads because MP 2002 doesn't recognize the road.

I found a quite extensive list of features on this page:
http://www.elstead.co.uk/mappoint2004.htm