Microsoft Streets and Trips 2008 - what is new from a user standpoint

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Wednesday, September 12. 2007

Microsoft Streets and Trips 2008 - what is new from a user standpoint

I was unsure where exactly to put this, category-wise, but I was always curious what exactly was added to Streets and Trips 2008, without marketing-speak, which I tend to dismiss over "real user" reviews.

Well, here is a good real user review and it looks to be a pretty good upgrade overall.
It is nice to see the FM receiver as an option for gas price updates and traffic information.

I admit I use this program more often than I really need to sometimes. I don't have the 2008 version yet but I plan to pick it up shortly. It is a lot of fun to use on an airplane to see exactly where you are while flying. Thankfully, it doesn't freak out when the MPH goes above 100. It does freak out the flight attendants sometimes when they see a glowing blue object in the airplane window.

Posted by Aaron Tiensivu in Microsoft, Windows OS, Wireless at 22:06 | Comments (5) | Trackbacks (0)

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I have the 2008 with the traffic control.
My only problem with it is it is not loud enough when traveling. I have my sound all the way up on my new gateway laptop, but I have a hard time hearing it over the road noise when traveling. It only has one voice a woman's. If it had a man's it might be a little better. My computer is louder on other things like email. I am using Vista which might be the problem. I would like to know if
anyone has the answer to this problem.
Thanks.

#1 Nancy S Riley on 2007-10-18 12:26 (Reply)

You might try installing ffdshow (search for it on google).

One of the things ffdshow can do is boost the volume.

#1.1 DW on 2007-11-03 10:16 (Reply)

Go to Best Buy, Radioshack, etc. and pick up an FM transmitter like those that plug in to iPods, MPs players, etc. Plug this in to your laptop audio out (labeled as "headset") and tune your radio in to an appropriate unused channel.

#1.2 Kim Giberson on 2008-04-12 12:55 (Reply)

Hi Nancy - Have you considered adding on a separate portable speaker? There are some USB powered devices as well as battery powered models that plug into the headphones jack. Just type in 'Laptop Speakers' in Amazon.com and you'll see several options.

I just ordered the battery powered Logitech® mm28 Portable Speakers (it had good reviews). Will have tested by next week - drop me a line if you're interested how they work.

There are FM Tuner devices out there that allow you to play ST directions over the car stereo tuned to your radio dial - I advise against these if you travel more than a few miles however - because they are susceptible to static as you move from one radio listening area to another. Static may tempt you to change your station tuning and that can be distracting.

Finally - for the best results - ride in a car with a stereo MP3 jack. You're not going to go out and buy a new car for the jack - but if you rent a car - make sure it's got one.

Just plug one end an MP3 cable into the laptop headphones jack and the other into the dash MP3 aux jack - and you get crystal clear directions over your car stereo system.

The only drawback to this method is that you can't listen to music or talk radio - but if you need the voice guidance by Streets and Trips - it's best to turn the radio off anyway.

#2 Keith O'Brien (Homepage) on 2007-12-05 10:09 (Reply)

Looks like an old topic but if its still alive.

2 good ideas have been passed on, you can get more volume with an external speaker.

But that means more cords to get all tangled up and also you would need the space and a place for them.

The FM transmitter is good, I used to use those back in the day before I upgraded my old car to a cd player to play cds via my portable cd player, but yeah still more cords and you lose the radio.

So my addition to the solutions is this:

If you have bluetooth, you can easily use your cellphones headset and have all the laptops sound output going to the headset. No cords, no wires, no loss of the radio. Your good to go.

You can alternatively use bluetooth headphones but that would not be "safe" since it would cover both ears.

If you do not have bluetooth, not a big deal a usb dongle can be had for less than $20 and then you can even upgrade to a bluetooth gps receiver too.

#3 ViciousXUSMC on 2008-10-07 09:27 (Reply)

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