In the past, long ago, I could order highway maps and topographic maps by mail; or maybe get really luck and an outdoors store would have a few on hand, or I could look at the library's set.

Now, I can print any topo map out I want, on sectioned 8.5"x11" paper, protect them how I will. I can print any road map, at any scale I want. I can even make images of aerial photographs of interesting sites; though printing greyscale b/w still sucks. I can carry digital copies on a netbook, or access them on my phone through commercial services. I can have routes provided for me from several different providers, or pick my own. I can record them accurately as traveled, make notes, pictures... anyone remember how much it would cost to take 300 pictures on 36 exposure 35mm film rolls? Now you take a few hundred, upload them, take more, upload them, take more, upload them...

emedia has exploded the straightjackets that existed.

The only people that got hosed were those that thought a single 7.5' topo map should cost $10 in their store. Good friggin riddance.