Howdy, RPoL.

I find myself wanting to make up some maps, but I've recently picked up a new computer and don't have any mapping software on this one. The old (old) computer I replaced had MapTools on it, which was a pretty awesome program, but try as I might I can't figure out how to install the thing. I'm not good with computers, obviously.

Anyways, I figured this would be as good an opportunity as any to ask the community if you have a preferred program you like to use for mapping your adventures? Whether paid or free, I'm looking for opinions as much as advice here. And, as an aside, if there are a lot of MapTools users around, do you think you could help me install it?

For a frame of reference, I mostly do modern and sci-fi (post apocalypse) settings, so anything strictly geared for dungeon crawling wouldn't work for me, but I'm not picky.

And Mods, as ever, if I'm in the wrong room for this kind of thing I apologize; I honestly agonized about whether "Game Proposals, etc." might be the more appropriate place.

There's always Campaign Cartographer, which is basically a CAD program tailored for making RPG maps.

https://secure.profantasy.com/default.asp

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For overland maps, there's a nice program for making old-school hex maps.

http://www.hexographer.com/

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There's also Grid Cartographer. It's mostly for making grid-based dungeon maps and hex maps, and has an added bonus: it can link up with a small set of older CRPGs to help you make maps for them. Plus it has a mobile version.

http://www.davidwaltersdevelopment.com/tools/gridcart/

Might not be what you're looking for, but I like to use Inkarnate.  Simple website, easy to use, maps look nice.

I never got my head around Campaign Cartographer (except for the stand-alone application Fractal Terrains for world map and planet creation, which could be very good for a sci-fi campaign). I found CC to have a learning curve that far outpaced my free time, whereas FT was relatively intuitive. I suppose if you're already familiar with CAD, you might not find CC so difficult.

There is always the very similar (but free) Autorealm (sorry no link) if you want a taster of CC).

My favourite mapping software is ViewingDale, I can highly recommend it for detailed world generation, but I'm not sure if it is still in production. Last time I visited the site it seemed to be treading water.

Dunjinni was a good tile mapper with lots of modern/future artwork, but I think that went to the wall, too. I never did get my own copy of that. :(

I've heard good reports of MapTools, but I've never seen it in action. Can't help with installation.

These are getting less relevant aren't they? I'll stop now. :)

I use MapTools and as far as I can remember I just downloaded the latest version from the website and installed it like any other program. If I didn't do that then I would've instead just followed whatever instructions were given. It was a few years ago I downloaded it so I can't remember now.

Awesome, thanks for the links and suggestions guys.