I´m a newb and am trying to learn to use gtkradiant. I thought I would make maps based on real locations since I´m a big google earth fan. Nisour Square in Baghdad is an appropriate size and should stir some interest. I wanted to work on terrain afterwards and pick a spot out in the country to make into a sniper map. I´m still having some trouble getting textures to work and I have not even played a self-made map yet so it will be some time. I will post my progress. Until then, here´s some photos of the site:

Its great to see a new mapper.

And landmarks are a great thing to map. It looks a little flat and sparse for a TCE map, but I like your thinking.

My advice would be to play lots and lots of TCE and study the maps. And you will see whats needed to make a really great map.

Look at how maps like delta and north flow, see whats in common with all these maps, look for what works and what you feel doesn't work and apply that to your map.

GL on your new skills and show pics your map as it develops

One last pieces of advice, its easy to start a map, but it take big cojones to finish it!.

yay finally fresh meat here

If you have any question feel free to pm me / ask me on xfire (my user is chratz)