What maps do people want? Advice?

[Zylithan]

Hi all. I'm interested in trying out mapmaking for awhile, and I'm curious what people want? I'm also soliciting any advice from people who have already made maps. For example, what programs do people use to make graphical maps (the .tga)?

As far as what people want, I guess I wonder what people care most about:

-average number of neighbors (and how many)
-visual appeal of map
-perfect balance (usually comes with symmetry)
-creative layout/connectivity
-ideal number of players/range of number?
-something else?

Thanks!

p.s. I posted this here, because it's the mapmaking forum... but it could be of interest to people who dont normally read the mapmaker forum? Should it be moved?