1 comments about Mission Possible World Geography.

1. Most of the features they advertise occur only in tutorial mode. The game itself takes place on a fictitious island. It's linear, short, and not terribly exciting. The way everything happens is by the player answering multiple choice geography questions. There are also bonus questions where you have to find places on a map, arrange places in order, etc. They do show you the correct answer if you get a question wrong. If you get too many wrong the mission is aborted and you have to start over.
   
   Its a cute good for drilling geography facts.

5 comments about Delorme Street Atlas USA 2008 [Old Version].

1. I am an 'over-the-road' long haul truck driver. As such, mapping and routing is crucial to doing my job well. I actually use 4 different mapping programs (3 of them run on one gps receiver, the other is a stand-alone). It is totally possible to enter the same data into each program and come up with 4 different routes. But that usually doesnt happen. I do get minor discrepancies between them at times. Of the laptop/desktop programs, the Delorme Street Atlas (SA) is by far the best. Having said that, I will admit that it is NOT intuitive to use at first. MS-Streets and Trips (SNT) is easier to use out of the box and for simple short trips. However, after taking the time to beat the learning curve on SA, it is a far superior product than SNT. The third program that I have is a terribly expensive product designed to be used by truckers. It is useless for the most part. I only consult it if I have concerns about truck restricted roads or bridge clearances. They all have mapping errors in them. They cannot possibly keep up with all the road building that goes on, and must rely on input from users. I dont believe that many people take the time to report errors or changes. There is also a considerable lag time from when the map data is created and the software vendor issues the product. So yes, when you buy the latest version, it is already months out of date.
   
   I am not sure where they get the data for commercial points of interests. In my opinion, I think many places have to pay for the 'advertising', thus if they choose not to, they wont appear. It was frustrating when I was attempting to find a local post office and the data was for a mailbox location. Again, the management and collection of this type of data is an impossible task,they must rely upon the veracity of the data that is supplied to them. Think of what it would cost to send someone to each and every POI to verify the information, and as well collect new data on new resturants, etc. We wouldnt be able to afford such a conveniece.
   
   My advice to you is this, If you are a casual user in familiar areas, consider the dedicated units such as tom-tom or garvin or delphi. I dont believe that you get much by paying a higher price. I wouldnt spend more than a couple of hundred dollars. I would also look for refurbished units. They will give you the best price. Often, they are units returned to stores because the user changed his/her mind. Neither the store nor manufacturer can resell the item as new. There is nothing wrong with it and it will have the same warranty as a brand new one. They are all about the same, though I did like my Delphi unit better than the device I use now that runs Tom Tom. I would stick with the major brands, I just dont trust the no-names. A larger screen is about the only good reason to spend more money.
   
   If you are a heavy user, one who is likely to have a laptop in your vehicle with gps, get both SA and SNT. Get the GPS receiver from Delorme. Then go to their website and download a free small program (called a serial port emulator)that will allow SNT and other programs to use the same receiver. For quick and easy routes use SNT. Use SA for your GPS monitoring. Compare the routes between the two products. If they are not the same, make a decision according to your preferences. You will find it much easier to manipulate your route in SA than in SNT.
   
   And finally, my best advice to you, is to secure the device that you are using. The most popular item to steal from a car today is a GPS device. Remove it from you windshield, including the bracket. It is also a good idea to clean the windshield so that the ring mark left by the suction cup on the bracket doesnt advertise that you have and use a GPS device. A bother you say! Yep, it is! But not as much bother as having to deal with the result of your car having been broken into and stuff stolen from you! And please -- when passing me on the road wave with more than one finger (I go slow because I have to and it saves on fuel)and give plenty of room before you move back into the lane. At highway speeds it takes me 3 football fields to bring my truck to a panic stop. I dont want to have to live with the fact that I killed someone because the driver of the other vehicle was ignorant or in just too big a hurry.



2. I researched and compared both this product and Microsoft Streets and Trips. I had Streets and Trips several years ago, so I was familiar with the "look and feel" of that progam. I thought I would try something different, since it was not an expensive tool, as opposed to buying a GPS navigator. I do prefer the Streets and Trips interface to this program, but that may be just what I am used to. This interface seems a bit "dated", while Streets and Trips seems more professional and polished. I use this software for planning leisure trips, and I like to experiment with several routes to the same destination. This product allows me to do that quite easily. One part of my planning is to figure out where we may want to stay overnight on our way somewhere. I like the listing of POI's which shows the distance that POI is from my origin or destination. For example, if I want to stop after about 300 miles, I can scroll down and see the hotels available at about the 300 mile point on my route. It also shows me how far off the route that the POI's are located. All this can be done before I leave home, and I can verify the POI details online. I am the family navigator, so I can have my laptop in front of me and read out directions to my husband. One feature that does not appear to be working correctly, is the connection of this program to the Internet. That may just be my inexperience with the product, but I am not sure how POI, road construction, and any other updates will become available. Overall, this program gets the job done, but I think I would have preferred Streets and Trips.



3. I have installed it and tested it out and it worked great. Easy to use, lots of great points of interest. I was mainly using it with a laptop and a usb gps unit. I finally broke down and bought a protable GPS Nav system and I like it a lot and don't have to carry the laptop around all the time now. I will continue to use this product on my PCs for its mapping ability.



4. I really like this product. It works very well with my Holux GPSlim 236 GPS device via bluetooth to my laptop. It speaks the names of the steet names and automatically recalculates the route if you miss a turn.



5. I like the DeLorme Street Atlas 2007-2008-2009 product except for one small issue. It doesn't work where I live!!!!! Their database is inaccurate and the program thinks you are not where you are and gives you erroneous directions! You can see on the display that it is not accurate but it is dangerous to view the display for the time required to figure things out. I bought 2007 and was "tricked" into buying an upgrade to 2008 when they told me it should be fixed. It wasn't. I was offered the chance to buy 2009 at the registered owner price but upon my pressing them, they advised me the database was still inaccurate in my area!! They have now apparently fixed the database in my area but insist that I pay (for a third time) for what I should have recieved the first time and the second time. Their whole attitued is that they give you thirty days to decide if you want to keep the product they know is DEFECTIVE and if you don't figure it out in the thirty days (as I didn't as the product takes a while to master and I also have a disability that puts me down for the count for weeks, sometimes months). I would urge all those that have been similarly cheated to call the president of DeLorme (David DeLorme) and share their negative opinions. Everyone at DeLorme I've spoken to just doesn't seem to care that the product is defective and they refuse to give you an updated I now use Garmin Mobile PC and it WORKS!
   
   Gus

5 comments about Microsoft Streets and Trips 2006 [OLD VERSION].

1. Needs full screen mode, especially for those of us who have smaller displays... This is fixed in 2007 edition, so I recommend getting that one rather than this one... Other than that, this product is awesome... Easy to use, and works great with the GPS receiver that comes with it (optional)...



2. Great for finding anything. Where the others are wrong, this is right on.



3. Save your money and buy the Garmin Nuvi 350. MSST 2007 has managed to let me dwon, again. or rather it is MS. My BIGGEST complaint among many (and I will spare everyone)is the inability to take my planning as I set it up in route planning. It overrides my coices I add and reroutes me. VERY aggravating as the direction they give me is NOT the correct way! Another complaint is why should everyone have to buy a new version EVERY year. We should have the ability for a small fee to obtain updates, product maintenance and ACCURATE directions. My neighborhood isn't even on the map yet and we have been here 3 years!



4. The USB GPS unit works great. It also works in Microsoft MapPoint (NA and European versions). The 2006 version of S&T now provides voice guidance which lets you set up your laptop in the front seat before your trip, pop the GPS in the front window and let it give you guidance hands free while driving.



5. I use this software mainly to calculate mileage & gas cost while on the computer. Ill switch to a portable GPS unit on the road.

5 comments about Delorme Earthmate GPS LT-20 2008 [Old Version].

1. This is a great gps system for travelling. It was easy to install and easy to use. Amazon got it to us even earlier than estimated so we could use it on vacation. Thanks



2. It has far exceded my expectations!
   
   It gets me to the location with no mistakes. I can not get "lost" anymore.



3. For the price, this route planning software is useful. The poi's are still reasonably up to date and the GPS works fine. Using the GPS function when traveling solo is down right dangerous. The new dash mounted GPS Navigation units just make a lot more sense. I hooked my Earthmate GPS to one of the new Netbooks with 6 hours of battery life. After a few trial runs I decided to keep the software for route planning and use a dash mounted touch screen unit to provide directions while traveling. If you want to keep a partner busy while traveling, the Earthmate LT-20 would do that..



4. If you can work with the cords and have a labtop you us, this is a great over the road item



5. I use an Asus Eee PC 900 as a portable and thought it would make a great little GPS. I had to install it over a network because the PC 900 has no disk drive (it's also got a small flash memory which has limitations.) It took forever to load, and it's response is so sluggish I passed my turns and it did not recalculate the route for more than 2 minutes!.... Again, THIS IS NOT DUE TO THE PROGRAM OR GPS!!!, it is the limitations of the computer. The software appears to work well and I will try it in my wife's laptop soon. Many more features are in this software than in my low-mid-priced standalone GPS, even though my Earthmate has 2008 mapping software. Earthmate GPS LT-20 and it's mapping program are WELL WORTH THE PRICE with a normal laptop!

5 comments about Microsoft Works Suite 2005.

1. Microsoft has, as always, produced decent software. It is nothing to get excited over, but it does its job.
   
   The problem with this software, as with all other Microsoft software, is that it is so overpriced. If it is your company buying or something, then go ahead and get it, the software works well, and it does its job as well as anything else you're going to find, not to mention that since most other people use Microsoft products, your documents will be compatible.
   
   But if you are buying for yourself, I strongly suggest you look into something else. There are numerous open source programs available on the internet, as well as other commercial programs that can be bought for less money that will work just as well.
   
   As for the other programs (money, encarta, picture it, streets & trips), they are also not that great. Why buy an expensive Microsoft encarta when you have Wikipedia? Why buy streets and trips when you have MapQuest and Google Earth? Why buy Money when you can get other programs that are just as good if not better either cheap or free?
   
   The choice is up to you



2. This was great and It worked marvelous, praise GOD for his great provision. Thankyou!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
   
   I did not feal like spending $200 on word 2005!
   God Is Good All The Time!



3. Great way to get Word 2002 at a minimal price. Worked fine with no problems.



4. I had a crash on my notebook and found that preloaded programs were lost. No backup disks were provided so I needed word program for my work. After spending over $200 to have computer repaired, I had little money to buy replacement programs, so I found just what I needed on Amazon for 1/4 the new price. Program was like new and I am back in business.



5. I was leery of purchasing such an item online, but it was exactly as advertised. And it works beautifully. I couldn't be happier.

5 comments about Microsoft Streets and Trips 2007 [OLD VERSION].

1. i was expecting more from this product. It takes a very long time to download. The directions were not very accurate, tried to use it in Las Vegas, i thought since it is the 2007 version it would be kind of up dated,it was not!. Some streets were missing!. I had to use mapquest to get directions to those locations. a lot of times it made me take back roads when there were shorter ways to get to my location. If you are not trying to get some fancy program and have all the time in the world when traveling, go ahead! get it! If not, look for something else.



2. I've used and upgraded this product for the past few years. I guess you can never be satisfied with the currency of any product like this, but this product is easy to use and i've grown used to it. It works fine for me. I like how you can easily change the route it provides when it goes stupid.



3. Microsoft Streets and Trips 2007 is rated higher than the newer version, so I grabbed it. It arrived in the original box with instructions and all. Everything in "like new " condition. I have not been able to play with it yet, but I am sure it will perform fine. I had a much older version and wanted this one for it's GPS loading feature and working road condition updates.



4. I have other software, and if I am sticking to highways, I generally prefer Streets. For more varied trips, it is no longer as reliable as it once was. The biggest problem is that Microsoft will not update its maps. There are many errors on it and because of construction of new highways, many roads are missing.
   
   The software lets you give feedback and report errors, but Microsoft does not correct the reported errors. I guess the feature is to make you feel good about something.
   
   I have bought several versions of Streets and will not buy any more until they update their maps.



5. Good software.
   Used it on a laptop in my police cruiser.
   Works great with USB GPS device!

5 comments about Microsoft Streets and Trips 2006 With GPS Locator[Old Version].

1. I used this software to map a trip across the country from New York to Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, and a couple more stops. If your stops are near major roads then this software usually works. But if your stops are off the major roads then the software doesn't know if it's routing you on a paved road or a dirt road. The software routed me on a dirt road for 46 miles. So 20 miles from my last stop I had to come up with my own route after running into the dirt road. I ended up having to drive back to where I started from. On another occasion the software directed me to a road, but there was no road.
   
   The software comes in useful when you've missed a turn. Press F3 and it will find a route back to where you want to go and direct you. Other than that, I didn't find the prompt particularly useful. The map seems to be 2 seconds or so behind me, so it areas where you have 3 exits, one after the other, it doesn't help.
   
   If you're looking to save a few bucks and get the 2006 version I would say that you won't be saving anything. I don't know if the 2009 version is any better, but I can say that I'll never let this software route a trip for me again.



2. overall. it is a great product.
   but it is not like gps installed in the car (not talking about portable unit on windshield)
   it has few second leg time on display. so if you happend to pass busy highway overpass divided into 6 differnt direction...(ie Dallas Fort/worth) good luck... (make sure you have a navigator with you.)
   
   BUT STILL I WILL SAY GOOD FOR THE BUCK,,, WISH IT HAD AUTO RE- CALCULATIION MODE. INCASE YOU MISSED THE TURN.



3. If you are sailing and need another GPS for using with your navigation software, you can't beat using the unit that comes with Street & Trips. Threw away the "Street" software, so it doesn't matter how old of version you buy. We have two on board, different models( 2004 & 2006) both work great. PS we're using Rosepoint Nav. software and like it- windows based, Intuitive



4. I have planned at least 6 successful road trips with this software. It is fantastic and has some really great features. It is so much better than a portable gps for multiple stop planning, specific routing and it can still do turn by turn with the best of them. I would never go on a long trip without it. POI are sometimes outdated/nonexistant but for the most part it can get you what you are looking for. Favorite features are gps speedo/altitude and route tracking, it's nice to retrace your route when the trip is over.



5. I have both MS and DeLorme. Both have their strengths, but I find Microsoft works best for me as I use it for on-the-spot navigation.
   
   We use it in our motorhome where traditional GPS units (such as Tom Tom, etc) are not practical. With a rig that is 12' high, 40' long plus another 20' for the tow, I need more information and I need more hands-on involvement with directions. MS Streets with GPS serves me rather well in that regard.
   
   My biggest complaint with Microsoft is that they never update their maps. I bought updates every year for five years, but will do so no more. I've used their embedded system for reporting errors, but none of the reported errors were included in any updates. I do not rely on it to take me to a location, such as a rural RV park because it is too often wrong. Instead, I plug in the actual street address, AND I compare it to the directions given me by Woodalls RV Park Directory. In-city locations would probably work fine, but given our size, we are rarely in cities or looking for in-city sites.
   
   It allows me to print wonderfully detailed maps of cities that we visit in our car after parking the motorhome. Details include parking spaces, restaurants, business districts, and much more. I can print anything from overviews to turn-by-turn directions with maps.
   
   I keep MS Streets with GPS open and in front of me as my husband drives the RV. This allows me to zero in on local diners when it's time for lunch, or keep tabs on towns that we may want to walk through as a fun break from travelling.
   
   If they would simply update their maps, I would be their biggest sales person. It has gotten us out of some pretty tight situations.

5 comments about Microsoft Streets and Trips 2008 [OLD VERSION].

1. Microsoft claims Streets & Trips 2008 is compatible with Vista. As distributed, it is not. The installer fails because it tries to install the text-to-speech component for XP onto a Vista system which Vista prohibits so the install fails. If you spend 30 minutes with Microsoft talking about your serial number, purchase location, license key, and verifying it all letter by letter and giving them your phone number and just repeating this to each person, you finally get the answer to find "data.msi" on the DVD and run that to install it on Vista. They won't tell you that you'd better be running Vista SP1 or it will fail to install at the end. But if you figure that out for yourself, you can install the program. Wow, pain and agony. Microsoft claims you can install S&T2008 with no problem but then you talk to them and they say the PRE-installer is broken for vista. Oh.. silly me. Its the pre-installer that is incompatible.
   
   Funding Microsoft is a mistake. Its like buying an alcoholic another beer.



2. Streets and Trips gives me what I need which is directions to a certain address and mileage. I have no complaints.



3. I had owned a Rand McNally trip maker for about 8 years, thought it was time to update. Much to my displeasure I discovered that Rand McNally no longer made a trip maker for the computer. I purchased the Microsoft Streets and Trips 2008. It has great features and is not difficult to use however it shuts down in the middle of planning a trip, I am constantly re-entering my product code because it says my free trial period is over, and I must activate the product. I have reinstalled it a few times, spent more hours than I can remember trying to get the problem solved with no solution. I would not recommend this to anyone.



4. I installed this program on my desktop at my apartment. Then I tried to install it on my desktop at my wife's apartment where I spend half my time. Microsoft wouldn't allow it and told me I would have to pay for a second copy, this even though they would allow it on my second copy IF IT WERE A LAPTOP! No other program has ever restricted me to less than two computers, or "for personal use" on as many computers as is necessary. I would steer clear of th;is product, and by extension, other MS products as well, for being so greedy. Michael



5. Streets & trips 2008 was a very good buy, at the time. I got it when I was using Windows XP, it also worked with Vista. But, when I went to Windows 7, I lost it. It would not work with Windows 7 so I picked up the 2010 version, which works great with Windows 7. I am finding other programs I have purchased also don't work with Windows 7, but I guess that's to be expected when you move up. Anyways, Streets & Trips 2010 is a great program and well worth
   the money. Also have a GPS Tom-Tom XXL, which works great with Streets & Trips.

4 comments about Rand McNally TripMaker (Jewel Case).

1. I have used tripmaker to plan a number of trips since version 1. I am up to Tripmaker Deluxe by Topics which may be prior to this version but they have not changed much recently. I find it very useful in plotting daily mileage for different route options. My wife does not wish to travel more than 6 hours a day. Tripmaker keeps me out of trouble. For instance, I had 3 days between Yellowstone and Glacier NP. With Tripmake I tried different routes to stop at the most desirable sites in between without overdoing the driving each day. It is this sort of "what-if" testing that makes it so valuable and then print up the final choices, get on-line, make reservations and go on the road.



2. This was an updated version of Rand McNally Tripmaker 1998 which I used extensively. The software still works very well and I am pleased with its results.



3. The description said NEW. Maybe it was new but it was an old version and was very poor at that. Much prefer my old version of Street Atlas or Mapquest.



4. I ordered the TripMaker by Rand McNally because I misplaced the one I already had and needed it for another computer. It certainly is well worth the buy if you like to travel and want to save some time by letting the TripMaker figure the time and mileage for you. It also gives you your choice of the most scenic or quickest way to go and will map it out for you. It also has other features such as attractions, places to stay and so on. Well worth the buy for the traveler.
   
   I ordered this item at Amazon. The price was right and it arrived in excellent condition and in quick order. I appreciate "The Mad Hatter" out of Sandy, OR for their excellent service too.

5 comments about Microsoft Streets and Trips 2008 with GPS [OLD VERSION].

1. this is not worth the money. The timing is off. It starts telling you your off route when you are not....



2. I bought this to use for an extended driving trip, much of which was spent in a city where I did not know my way around. I would have preferred to buy the 2009 version, which has some important improvements, but the display requirements for that were more than my Acer One netbook could handle.
   
   The GPS system worked fine on the basics, with accurate turn directions. (Voice directions in 2008 version do not include street name, just "Turn left in X distance".)
   
   I had my netbook open on a cooler in the footwell of the front passenger seat and could glance at the screen. This is not as safe or convenient as a dash-mounted GPS. The screen display shows your position in the center of the screen, so it shows more of the streets behind you than you need and not as many streets ahead as you would like.
   
   The software includes a 1-year free subscription to a service that displays semi-real time traffic conditions in some major metro areas. It was not working in Las Vegas, but helped me avoid a major traffic jam in LA.
   
   Overall, nowhere near as good as a dedicated GPS system, but a good way to get GPS functionality at a very low price if you can't justify the expense of a dedicated GPS unit.



3. Bought it when it was the new version. Great GPS for my laptop. Only bad this is that you can't upgrade once you have it. I have to buy the 2009 version vs just paying for a software update. Poor planning on Microsoft's part.



4. Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2VN7RH6EBIBOD My husband raved about his TomTom GPS for about a year. Before our vacation last month, he decided to get a newer Microsoft "Streets & Trips" for our mini-laptop. The TomTom would tell us to turn (on the back roads in the Rocky Mountains), but the road wasn't there. The "Streets & Trips" 2008 with GPS worked great. I was fairly competent with it after a short time. I acted as a navigator while he tried to negotiate tight turns & large rocks on our backwoods journies. When we needed to know something about the area where we were, just click "FIND", & usually it answered what you needed to know. Whether your on the Interstate, or on a road with rocks as big as a car seat, S& T is the way to go!
   I found this version on Amazon.com really cheap.
   This is one of my first experiences buying from Amazon, & was worried. No problem, quick shipping, right price, all went well. Very satisied.



5. This product was exactly as advertised. Installing and setting up the GPS worked easily as well. The GPS was also recognized by some surveying software I had, so no problems there. If you want a GPS computer system, or even just some good offline USA map software, this product is for you.