If I rename my daily map file to "default" will it automatically open when the program opens?
Cheers

Hi Cobra,

If only it were that easy .

When you launch S&T from the start menu it looks in a specific location for a specific file name.

Here is a post with the details on how to do this: How to Customize the Default Map Template. I recently did this so I could make the ST 2010 Mega File my default.

This also a good way to make some permanent changes like your fuel consumption and fuel tank size etc.

Let us know if you have any questions as you try this out.

Thanks Larry, much appreciated
Cheers

I think there's a MUCH less complicated way to achieve this.

Why not just make a shortcut to your "Mega file" and save it on your desktop. Then you can start S&T just by clicking on this shortcut, which will automatically open your "Mega file."

It works for me!

Phamptom62 said:

I'm not sure you will get the same result with this solution. Even if it appears the same, I think there is a fundamental difference that makes Larry proposal a better solution. If one day you create a new file from S&T (in file menu) and forget to start from the one you openend from the desktop shortcut, you won't have all your customization. But with Larry method, you are changing the default when you create a new map from S&T to be customized the way you like it. So there is a lesser risk to forget to start from your desktop shortcut file when creating a new one with this other Larry solution, because it is fully automatic and built-in in S&T (Or may be i'm wrong and didn't get the template file function correctly). There is also a risk when you start from your shortcut pointed file to create a new route to do S&T "Save" function and modified your pseudo shortcut template file (if you forgot to do save as a new name) . With Larry method of changing the default S&T template, there is no risk for that error too i guess...

But sure, if you never forget anything in your life and always start from the shortcut file when creating a new route and save to a different file name after, yep it should work also .

The advantage of the shortcut method and the reason it appeals to me is that you aren't stuck with it every time you want to do anything in Streets&Trips. If I just want to do some noodling or local stuff that does not require the Megafile I can just run Streets&Trips like normal. For those few times I'm planning a significant trip where I want all that stuff included, then I can start using the shortcut.

In the meantime, any time there's a new version of the Megafile it's stone simple to just download it and save it to the same filename as the shortcut points to, replacing it, so the shortcut is always pointing to the latest version.

So, it really depends on how you work and particularly whether the majority of your Streets&Trips use is non-trivial trip planning where you want all that stuff as a starting point or if most of your Streets&Trips use is, like mine, trivial stuff where all that stuff is unecessary.

It's good when you have choices. It's especially good when there are folks who can express why one choice or another works well for them so other folks can make an informed decision.

...ken...