There are a good number of open source GIS programs that I have looked at but they do not address a lot of the items one needs to make nice, useful, maps. Plus, they are focused on cartographer types rather than the more lay type user.

Any leads and suggestions will be appreciated.

Respectfully,

Fred Pospeschil

There are a significant number of cartographic firms that create city maps, typically for tourism, promotion, etc.

If you want to make such maps, you certainly do need to learn about cartographic design. The medium for the
maps is important: will they be printed on paper, color, black and white, or only on the computer – then are they
just static digital maps, or interactive flash maps, etc.

On the other hand, if you start a company to create such maps, you could also hire cartographers – such skills
can’t be learned quickly.

My suggestion is to check out the CartoTalk discussion board: http://www.cartotalk.com/ A large number of
professional cartographers hang out there and may be able to advise you.

Do you think that i need to know or learn more about making maps like with cartography?. Also do i need some permit to use maps from internet?

What could be the best way to star a company map as entrepenuer guy, combinig all new services like phone, text and internet services.? should i learn first about how make maps?

Thanks

Manuel

Not sure if this is the proper place to leave this post, but I wanted to add the following to the, “Strange Map” section.

An Irish surname geneology map;

see; http://www.borderart.com/prodpage.asp?ProdID=2

Not so strange, I guess, innovative though… and nicely done!

Many “cultural maps” are used to promote tourism. One example is the Staten Island Cultural Map (PDF). A nice looking map, marred, a bit, by the locations of “Save A Dollar” deals. But someone has to pay for these maps.

You might want to check out the CartoTalk site, listed in the Blogroll of this blog. Many practicing cartographers there who may have worked on such maps.

John K.

I am on the Fall River United Arts Board. I am heading a project the will create a Cultural Map of Fall River Ma.

Do you know of any that exist that i may look at?

Patrice