FW Editor: What are your plans or objectives in the near future?
Paul Jorgensen: I have been working a lot on OS deployments, on writing and on Web development- ie "The Graphical Quickstart Guide to the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010" , and www.justcode.ca. I have also been spending time on vbscript, Active Directory, Group Policy and on cryptography coding, but I hope to spend some more time on applications like Mapdrive, Mapdrive x64, pscmd, and pcombobox, etc in the future.

FW Editor: How and when did you start writing the code for Mapdrive? What inspired you the most? Do you plan to develop new software, or are you more focused on optimizing the current ones?
Paul Jorgensen: I started writing the original 32 bit Mapdrive because it was needed to enhance Windows XP deployments with the WAIK – Windows Automated Installation Kit, this would have been back in 2004 or so, but it wasn't released for public use until 2006. I develop software and packages all the time, as required or as I am inspired to create something. The focus of the development has been on solving issues in my work, but I would like to develop something outside of IT technical requirements. A fun or interesting App. Mapdrive x64 was developed specifically for the MDT 2010 – the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit. I believe Mapdrive is used mostly on the desktop though. I am motivated to write software to solve problems, but programs like BitTorrent and Ping are inspiring to me because they are very useful and provide new functionality that for the most part was not available prior to their introduction. I plan to continue developing but my time is fairly limited. Currently I am working on a COM enhancement for vbscript, but it’s not my top priority.

FW Editor: Why would you recommend Mapdrive over any other similar application?
Paul Jorgensen: Mapdrive has a simple straightforward Dialog window interface that solves a basic problem, but it includes some advanced functionality. It has a small footprint and does not require installation before use. It can store multiple configurations and provides a default on-load configuration that can be easily updated during program use. It includes utility commands such as a console, and ghost32 ( ghost32 is not included with Mapdrive ). Mapdrive allows hiding or showing the password, and multiple drives can be mapped easily at the same time. Mapdrive also provides local and remote system reboots if the shutdown.exe command is available in the Mapdrive directory.

FW Editor: Do you plan to improve or change Mapdrive in any way? If yes, how are you going to do that?
Paul Jorgensen: Some coding could be done to improve the user experience and knowledge about the program. I would like to add more features or functionality to it. For instance, commandline parameters could be added, and I have some ideas about making it even easier to use. One improvement I added to the instructions in the Graphical Quickstart Guide to the MDT 2010 was to use the “Context Menu Editor 1.1” to add Mapdrive as a command in the windows right-click context menu. This makes it very convenient to run Mapdrive when needed in windows. I plan to add this to the Mapdrive instruction documents on the next release. Additional information is available at www.justcode.ca

FW Editor: Mapdrive has quite a strong competition but, so far, it succeeded in making a name for itself. What do you think about the huge Mapdrive success?
Paul Jorgensen: Mapdrive is simple and easy to use. When I first published it, I didn't have any expectations for it, so it has been interesting to watch it become more downloaded and more widely available. I would like to look into building a feedback option into the interface to enable a convenient client initiated feedback process.

FW Editor: Besides Mapdrive, is there any application that had a positive impact over you? Why?
Paul Jorgensen: Too many to mention really. I am really impressed with Locate32 which is available at www.locate32.net. I also really like Virtual Clone Drive, UltraISO, TortoiseSVN, UltraVNC, RealVNC, Admin Script Editor, and WinSCP is really handy. I also really appreciate Mapdrive, PsCmd, and pcombobox because they solve unique problems and are the only or 1 of very few solutions available to solve the issue. PsCmd solves the problem of providing the user with a one time type of ability to run an administrative command or installation. PCombobox provides a small combobox dialog window to get user input for scripts or batch files, and can return dynamically entered data to the calling script or batch file.

FW Editor: Is there any customer support service for Mapdrive users?
Paul Jorgensen: End-users can email me at pauljorgensen5@gmail.com. I plan to upgrade the help system for Mapdrive so hopefully that would address any questions. Network issues could cause a client problems with getting a drive mapped, but that would be something clients would have to solve locally. I am trying to say that many problems would be caused by external issues, mapdrive is stable and straightforward and does not require much support.

FW Editor: Now, to end our small interview, is there any message you would like to send to Mapdrive users?
Paul Jorgensen: Yes, Please try it out and send me any positive or constructive comments on Mapdrive, and I can include that in future documentation!