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mkchu
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Rating:  8
Time with product: 2 Weeks
Strengths: The ability to save locations and routes to a file
Weaknesses: MapQuest is free
Summary: This is a review for the ?most economical? version (without GPS or Connected Services) of MS S&T 2008. I brought this for my desktop computer at home. Since the desktop is stationary and indoor, there is no need for GPS or anything fancy. I have been using S&T for more than ten years. I don?t buy it very year; I only buy it every three to four years when I upgrade my computer.In general, MS S&T is a good (though not an excellent) product. It does what it supposes to do: find location with an address or street intersection, generate route between two points, shows point of interest, etc. I will compare S&T with MapQuest which I occasionally use when I find discrepancy or I want see an Arial View. Both S&T and MapQuest are very similar products.Good points:1. Saving locations and routes to a file. Over the years, I accumulated files to friend houses, vacation spots, business trips, hospitals, camps, cemeteries, shopping malls/outlets, restaurants, etc. MapQuest cannot do this.2. Fast response time. After all, the program and the map data reside on the hard disk. MapQuest is on the web; so, its response time depends on many uncontrollable factors.3. Better control on printing. S&T could print on an entire page with whatever zoom level I choose. Yes, MapQuest could do this but its control is awkward.4. Road construction update. I am surprise that this feature is free. After the download update, I did not notice anything special or different; especially, NYC roads are always under construction. This is of a questionable value.Bad points:1. Cost. MapQuest is ?free? but there are ads everywhere.2. There is no map update feature. Therefore, the map data will become obsolete. Since there is no place to expand in NYC, this is not much an issue. However, beware of new developments in the suburbs and the rural areas.
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r_harvey
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Rating:  2
Time with product: 1
Strengths: None
Weaknesses: See several problems below.
Summary: After my 2005 Microsoft Street & Trips experience was good, I thought I would update to 2008. 1.) 2008 requires .NET 2.0 (an extra 88 MB bloatware) 2.) 2008 requires text-to-voice (not wanted, but required anyway) 3.) 2008 1+ GB data - no ability to use the 2005 CD lite data list, instead of the whole thing. And, after all of that, the first address in 2008 Street & Trips was wrong. It ignored my postal address and gave me the wrong town. The house in Pennsylvania (6 years old) isn't even in the Pennsylvania map at all. I didn't even need to activate the product. I removed this and threw it away.
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Yadro16
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Rating:  10
Time with product: 2 Days
Strengths: Updated road maps with establishments & points of interest. Works with a 3rd party (USB) GPS unit. Great for around town or traveling across the country. Lots of detail. Ability to customize maps.
Weaknesses: None really.
Summary: I've used 3 other versions Streets & Trips over the past 6 years; each version seems to improve upon itself. Whether you're trying to find an address 10 miles from your house, or plan a trip from San Diego to Bangor Maine, this product will do the job just fine. You can change your route as you go.I recently used its "sister" program (MS Autoroute 2007 -- western Europe version of Streets & Trips) with a plug-in GPS unit as we drove around France, and it kept us right on course, and provided many details along the way. Streets & Trips does the same thing here in the US. I WILL be buying updated versions in the future.
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wgjones
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Rating: 8
Time with product:
Strengths: Great trip planner
Weaknesses: Have found none
Summary: My first experience with Microsoft Streets & Trips was in 2004. It is a great tool for trip planning. And, from what I've seen in the 2008 program, they haven't missed a beat. Makes things so easy!
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Carolpar
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Rating:  6
Time with product: 1 Week
Strengths: updated construction sights
Weaknesses: too many smaller roads are used and you are constantly turning on and off of new roads(to save money)
Summary: I upgraded to the 2008 from 2001 but I have to be very honest. I like the older maps better. Oh the 2008 has some very great options I like but it also has you making way to many turns on to different side roads. Some not to great to drive. Even if it saves you a few minutes or a few dollers I don't like all the changing of the roads especially during rush hours. If you change the map to your way it takes hours to get it changed right. I have now put the old program back on so I can compare them and make the best map myself.
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6.86
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