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[shadow_archmagi]

http://forum.cartographersguild.com/index.php

It's a website where all the map-makers live, and design huge fantasy worlds just for you. Wonderful if you're a GM that can't draw.

[Muz]

srsly? I've been working at a map generator, just because I can't think up one

[Yanlin]

If I were you, I'd just use a DF map.

[Muz]

Tried DF. It doesn't give enough flexibility to control which towns go where and why. Not enough inter-city economics/trade (if there were, I don't know what they trade). And a bunch of other stuff.

[Yanlin]

Well it at least makes a template for you. Place the towns where ever the hell you please. It gives you a good thing to start with.

[Zai]

Ooh. Thanks. I've been putting off working further on a fantasy world because I didn't know how to make a good map. Now I can get started. =D

[Gorjo MacGrymm]

I have always just made my own worlds by hand.  I think I enjoy that more then any other part of the games.  Its the drawing of the world that inspires who/what/where/when/why for me as the landscape unfolds.  I never know what I am gonna make till its done.

Now my newest RPG-verse is multi-dimensionsal, with a long, complicated 30 part random generator (sorry, its on paper only) I created for it.  After generating the next universe for the players, I gotto go make it.......argh.  I have been cheating for a while and throwing in old worlds so far, cuz I can be a lazy Dm sometimes.  My real nightmare is all the changing NPC personalities and relationships, and, of course, wether or not the NPC even exists in the new verse..........Im doomed.

But the players so far think Im a genious.  HAH, fooled them!

seriously, I have looked at many world gen programs and mappers out there, but I just dont lik'em.  Just my personal opinion.

[Muz]

Well, that forum shadow_archmagi mention does discuss a lot on mapping tools.

[viskaslietuvai]

Might I recommend AUTORealm for all you amateur cartographers. It's cheap as free (that's right SB lingo has entered my daily vocabulary) and pretty good. But I suggest using grid snap wherever possible as when you zoom in 10000% and see itty bitty white spots it'll drive you mad! Plus there's a good range of images to plaster on your map. You could always pirate Campaign Cartographer, but honestly, I haven't been that impressed with it.

Also, http://inkwellideas.com/ has some good world building articles, scroll down on the left sidebar; it's towards the bottom.

Theres a ton of stuff at this website:
http://www.metamythos.net/wiki/Cities%2C_Populations%2C_Subsistence_and_Land_Area
It has a central page for other world design articles.

Also the best map generator I've ever used? Civilazation III Conquests editor. Yeah, it doesn't take into account curvature of the earth for your distance calculation, and that's why I have a campaign centered on a cylindrical world, but it's wicked easy to use, and has things like mountain ranges and temperature bands. Fun stuff.
Edit: should mention transcribing a Civ3 map is a pain in the ass, but with proper coloring and such it can look kinda pretty.