Well, now I'm confused as to which map we're going with, but, actually, I've never looked at the maps that come with the mod except for two minutes a week or so ago...so, I have no idea where anyone is!
In general, though, the ability to know where all the juicy planets are is pretty advantageous...
I'm generally in favour of making it double-blind, using a new map.
MY SUGGESTION:
IDEALLY, we could get someone who is good with the map editor to take a huge map with similar systems generated with the mod (so we get the right names) and then they modify it to retain the same general role-playing oriented placements but so that all of us are still exploring the galaxy for the first time. There are a number of people out there who are willing to make maps for PBW games BTW... (I won't mention any names, but Tesco has made some maps for me in the past...
)
Just my two cents,
Alarik