CompuServe Messages

Hi, Lanny– Simply the fact that DeLorme maps are on CD in ordinary stores makes them a vast improvement over the USGS data they are based on, from the viewpoint of who they are aimed at, computer-age drivers. The market for full-detail topo quad maps on CD should be growing fast enough (since it includes general hikers) that these will soon appear (if they have not already) from private enterprises. Geological maps, on the other hand… They would be immensely more valuable as vector graphics on CD with links available for GPS systems and other kinds of software (remember that "wish list" database of sites with coordinates that would link to the map?), but I do not know if there is enough of a market for this to happen any time soon. I suspect you regard the USGS as immune to privatization because of the value of its contributions to society. But to determine its fate, you need to count votes and perceptions, not just reasons. Lots of Congresspeople must be figuring that the last election means there are lots of votes for cutting things in general, and they will further figure that more of those votes would be lost by cutting welfare (for example) than by cutting the USGS. They may figure the typical voter will say "Look, they are cutting something (the USGS, whatever that is)!" and may never recognize any troubles that may arise as being due to that cut. When the leadership of the majority party specifically mentions the USGS, I figure one should prepare for the possibility (I see no certainty here) it will be jettisoned (cuts would be a more typical Congressional answer, but Congress has been shaken up lately). Ask-a-geologist is a good example of how the USGS can make itself better appreciated by that average voter. If it published and _marketed_ topo quads on CD in a form that interfaced well with popular software, in a reachably-priced all-U.S. set (I would prefer not to have to deal with one expensive state CD here, another next time, another the time after that…), it would go a longer way to getting the USGS noticed where it counts with Congresspeople. I emphasize marketing because fewer people will pay attention to it if they do not know it is there, have to search too hard to find it, take too long to download it, or whatever. –Doug