Good Mapping Software?

[Dc5e]

Hey, recently at my job, i've had to make some maps for some articles. The mapping software we use is Mappoint 2002 and it's really beginning to lack in features.

Basically what I've been doing with it is importing a list of zip codes to put push pins on a map. Then anything else (such as a legend or radius circles) has to be drawn in with photoshop.

I'm curious to know if anybody's used any good mapping software and what they would reccomend?

[khiloa]

I've heard good things about these:

http://www.undertowsoftware.com/?AID=172

I'm not sure that is exactly what you want, but its worth a look.

[Dc5e]

Hm.. I don't think that's exactly what i'm looking for. Maybe I didn't give enough details to what I need.

The types of maps i've been using in Mappoint 2002 were data maps. I don't really need road maps. The maps I make are mostly of areas consisting of a few states, meaning I don't zoom in very much.

So basically, one of the maps I did for my job was a map that showed the location of let's say Oxygen plants and Liquid Nitrogen plants. Basically, I would put all the O2 plants into a excel file, then use mappoint to import them and pick a symbol. I would do the same for the LN2 plants. But the problem is that the only way to get the map out of mappoint is to either print it or copy the map into the clipboard, there's no way to save the map as an image file for other programs to open.

Mappoint also lacked a good legend. In it's printing mode, it would shrink the whole map to fit a legend in, wasting alot of space. What i've been doing is to copy the map to the clipboard, then open photoshop and fabricate my own legend by hand. This becomes tedious, especially when I need to make changes to the map.

So what i'm looking for is a mapping program that can
1. Import data to pushpins
2. Customizable legend
3. Easy way to edit the map (such as placing a title on the top and allowing it to be moveable)
4. Be able to hide cities or features on the map.

The program also has to be easy to use because I won't be working for much longer and my co-workers don't know how to use photoshop and stuff.

I have a feeling these requests are quite demanding from a program, but I have a feeling there's a mapping program out there that can do it all.

[khiloa]

Ah, okay, that is what I thought, but just checking. ;)