I just posted the following in comp.infosystems.gis.
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I'd really like ArcGIS (I'm a forestry consultant) but can't afford their
outrageous prices. So, I'm considering either MapMaker or Manifold. I've
downloaded the Gratis version of MapMaker and I'm having a problem getting
it to print- but I'm sure I could solve that problem if I really tried. I've
spoken to the company and they've shown an interest in helping to solve it.

I was hoping that Manifold had a similar stripped down program, but no luck
with that. Basically, I'd like to bring up ortho photos for a base map- use
GPS on property corners, then upload those to the photos- then layout cruise
plots which could then be downloaded to the GPS- use the software to do
stand typing, acreage calculation, etc.

I'd also use the GPS to track trails, etc. I don't think I really need
ArcGIS, other than it's the standard software and it would be nice to have-
it would almost certainly be overkill.

Any comments will be appreciated.