Posts tagged AutoRoute

The original AutoRoute was developed by NextBase Limited in the UK in 1988.

Version History

AutoRoute V1.2 (not copy protected)
This beta release was given out only to a small number of journalists prior to completing work on copy protection. From there is spread like wildfire to become one of the most pirated software products of its time in the UK. One unique ‘feature’ of this version was that it would frequently route you via the Isle of Wight because at that time we had not put a delay in for ferries so it assumed you could get there and back in no time at all.

AutoRoute V1.3 (copy protected)
This was the official first release. It was sold in a cloth covered box for £130 (GBP).

AutoRoute V1.5 (copy protected)
A later release.

Functionality
The original AutoRoute was a route planning and mapping program capable of displaying maps and calculating the shortest, quickest or alternative routes between any locations in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales).

AutoRoute Plus was the business version of AutoRoute (or later AutoRoute Express) from NextBase Limited.  AutoRoute Plus was capable of planning more complex journeys and also allowed customers to geocode their own data to see it on the map and to plan routes between locations from their own databases.  A Windows version followed the original DOS version.

NextBase AutoRoute Express USA was launched into the European market in 1992 aimed at people travelling to America on vacation or for business.