weaning from streets and trips

don't know which you have, but both Topo and Street Atlas function very similarly. they can take in either GPX or CSV files, CSV file work better with field headers.

The other thing to remember Sue is that Microsoft no longer makes or supports Streets & Trips BUT that doesn't mean that you can't continue to use it for many years to come. Granted the maps will eventually get out of date but for the forseeable future, I personally, am going to continue to use S&T like I have since the days of Encarta (that was a long time ago).

If you continue to use S&T you can always download POI files in GPX format, or convert them to GPX and use then import them to S&T as they are updated.

S &T has a much better trip planner. Mainly because it allows you to enter rest stops at preset intervals. I.E. Stop for 15 min. every 2 hours. On long trip, it helps you to better estimate where you'll be at the end of each day.

I all ways look at s & t before taking a long trip to see if I want to take a side trip along the rout another thing when I click to update the road construction it still seems to work, I also use google earth for street views and that helps if im looking for restaurants as to which side of the street there on.

I often found that the road construction info, simply made me more apprehensive than I needed to be. I would see al this road construction, before i left, and think about whether I should try to avoid or what.

In the end, half the time the construction was not as bad as it seemed on the map and was often either not started yet or finished.

Now I simply let the traffic tell me where it is available or simply put up with it.

Construction updates never seem to work on my S & T, sure I click on the out of date notice and then get a updated sucessfully notice but the original link telling me it's out of date doesn't go away and if I click on it again it repeats the cycle I just mentioned.

I too use Google for a look ahead, Google maps street view isn't as old as the satellite picture and is a great help when looking ahead. I've used to have a look in a stip mall to see exactl where a particular store/business is.

Google earth is helpful for the layout of an intersection, whether or not there a barrier down the middle of a highway and whatnot preventing turns. Also especially helpful when traversing New Jersey where sometimes you can make a left turn and sometimes you have to use a jug handle on the right to make a left, wish they'd make up their mind.

My S&T is 2008. I need to get one when the price comes down. Probably will check eBay.

In case you were unaware, S&T last version is the 2013 version. It has been discontinued by Microsoft. 2013 will have online support until July 14, 2015. Streets & Trips 2013 will be available for purchase (from Microsoft) until December 31, 2014.

http://www.microsoft.com/Streets/en-us/default.aspx

Since it has been discontinued the price may actually go up elsewhere after MS stops selling it, I have seen that happen with other discontinued items.

I need the DVD. Will wait for 2013 DVD to come down. I'm in no hurry. I have an eBay search set to notify me. 2008 works fine for my needs.

I'm not surprised Microsoft dropped S&T with the shift away from PCs and towards mobile devices and with all the very good free and lower-cost mapping websites and apps. Just too much competition in a market of dwindling demand for S&T's niche. They already have a Bing Maps app for phones and tablets.

I used to use S&T but haven't for many years. For those who still like it, I'm curious what it offers that make you consider buying the farewell 2013 version. (Truly not questioning your preference--just curious.)

Good luck to all, however they obtain their directions!

Nostalgia I guess for me. I have the final version of a few things I used to get on a regular basis. For S&T I was buying every other release and 2013 would have been my next one anyway.

Everyone has individual opinions so I am not taking a shot at anyone who likes Streets and Trips 2013, but I really, really dislike the changes they made to the user interface in that version.

I've been using S&T for trip planning for many years, and paid for the 2013 version without even looking at it, which I consider a big mistake - for me. I have read that Microsoft changed it to aim at mobile devices instead of a desktop PC, which may or may not be true, but the bottom line is that I am much happier with the earlier versions than with S&T 2013.

- Tom -

I tend to agree with your assessment, I don't like that they took the color out of the icons at the top of a page, but other than that I haven't noticed any real big changes.

Although I rely more on my GPS to get around I still like to print an over-all view of things with streets and trips. I use it a lot for work, I work for a paving company and the printed maps from S&T give me a quick view of how to get in and out of a neighborhood without traversing the new asphalt.

I also like finding places on the S&T map and switching to the "birds eye" satellite view where I can 'rotate' the view, haven't figured out how to do that with Google Maps.

So, although I don't rely on S&T as much, I will miss getting the new version every couple years.

i'am a fan too

Uh oh. Sounds like whoever was in charge of S&T 2013 hadn't learned from Microsoft's mistakes with Windows 8.

Uh oh. Sounds like whoever was in charge of S&T 2013 hadn't learned from Microsoft's mistakes with Windows 8.

I let my 2008 version die, and haven't looked back.

Google was the choice until the decided to make it almost impossible to save a location to the GPS.

And the developers of Basecamp need to simplify the search algorithm before I use that again for planning a route.

Basecamp needs features in their Trip Planner, more like S &T had. That is flexibility to include a stop at preset intervals for a set period. (Stop dvery 2 hours for 15 minutes). On a long trip, it gives a better estimate of where you're likely to be atvthe end of each dsy.

This is not perfect, but it's a lot better than Basecamp's current trip planner.

Unfortunately, Garmin doesn't give users the impression that they actually pay attention to suggested improvements.