|
TheNewGuy, the Mapopolis approach is more flexible, but it has led to confusion. Basically the model is the same--you pay for mapping software and/or maps. (BTW, hardware is a separate issue, and is pretty straightforward - you buy it.) To get the mapping software you can either buy a set of CDROMs from someone with software and maps and use them as much as you want to as long as you want to or you can download the free software from Mapopolis and pay for access to the maps. During the access period (one year) you can download any map you have paid for, as many times as you want, and you can use that map for as long as you want to. In that sense, the two models are exactly the same--you can use out of date software and maps as long as you want to do so.
In the CDROM case, if the company comes out with a new version, you may be able to "upgrade" for a fee, or you may have to buy a whole new set of CDROMs, depending on the company and how they decide to support their customers. For Mapopolis, if they release a new version of maps and upgrade their free software to use only that new version of maps, then you may be able to "upgrade" to those new maps if Mapopolis continues to offer credit for the unused time on your previous purchase, or you may have pay for a full new set of access time if either the time has expired or Mapopolis decides to cease giving that credit.
In either case it works the same--when a new version comes out, you pay for it, if you want it, or you can continue to use the old stuff as long as you want to.
|