Newsgroups: comp.publish.cdrom.software Path: cdrom.com!barrnet.net!sgiblab!cs.uoregon.edu!reuter.cse.ogi.edu!uwm.edu!cs.utexas.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!mp.cs.niu.edu!fnnews.fnal.gov!att-in!cbnewse!parnass From: parnass@cbnewse.cb.att.com (Bob Parnass, AJ9S) Subject: Re: CD Software Questions Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Naperville, IL Date: Sun, 8 May 1994 14:28:55 GMT Message-ID: Summary: comments on mapping and phone book CDROMS References: Lines: 54 markwarn@netcom.com (Mark Warnsdorfer) said: > Hi, can anyone out there tell me what is the best map program > on CDROM? I have heard of Street Atlas 2.0 and Precision Mapping, > which one is better? I have both DeLorme's Street Atlas USA V2.0 and S&S Publishing's Precision Mapping. Unless you require latitude & longitude, I recommend the Street Atlas over Precision Mapping. Street Atlas is a Windows program and the maps look much better (i.e., prettier) and can print in full color. Precision Mapping is a DOS program although it has more features than Street Atlas. I have found a few mistakes on both disks so don't expect perfection. Of course, I have found similar mistakes on conventional paper maps, too. > I'm also looking for a phone directory CD, which one is the best > on for these? I've heard ome limit your searches and prints, > while others are old data. I have ProPhone's National Telephone Directory on CDROM (TM) 1993 (V2.2) 7 disc set which is indexed on several fields. I have used it to list all people living on a given street, and list stores in a shopping mall. Also, I have the basic version of PhoneDisc USA Residential. It is only indexed on name, although you can restrict searches using several filters. PhoneDisc sells a more complete set -- PhoneDisc Reverse, but I haven't tried it. Calling these CDROMs "phone books" is a misnomer. I prefer to think of them as databases of 80+ million names, addresses and phone numbers. They are not nearly as accurate nor timely as conventional paper phone books, but they are very useful nonetheless. They are both OK, but ProPhone is unlimited versus PhoneDisc USA which limits the output from queries to 50 - 250 entries depending on which disc you have. That limit isn't too confining for most uses, unlike the severe *single* entry limit in American Business Information's "11 Million Businesses' Phone Directory." The latest version of the 1993 ProPhone set I have is now called SelectPhone although SelectPhone does not include the Business disk that came with my earlier edition. All the phone disks I mentioned so far run under DOS, but I read that ProPhone will be offering a Windows version soon. -- ============================================================================== Copyright 1994, Bob Parnass, AJ9S AT&T Bell Laboratories - parnass@ihlpf.att.com - (708)979-5414