The sudden discovery of this forum has sent jolts of pure glee to the very bottom of my feet. I've been drawing maps on paper since I was a kid with an unhealthy drafting fascination. Recently I'd started on an alternative history project and spent hours in paint redrawing borders and terrain of our fair planet. It never dawned that there might be an entire community of folks with as much of a fascination for cartography with knowledge of more efficient ways to get my map-drawing finished.

Most of my mapping is used as a writing tool. I find it easier to draft a story if I've created a comprehensive world to put the story in. Seeing my creation on paper (or screen) is far superior to just holding it in my head.

So, a huge thank you to whomever put this forum together and everyone who has contributed to the knowledge it already contains. I go forth now to consume it!