Maybe a computer whiz can clearify what I understand about google maps or mapquest mapping...But I understand if you just click on the site, enter in address or zip as was suggested brad did, the site and image would be saved on tif in tile format..However, if you interact with that map and zoom into specific site, you computer changes to bmp file as an actual picture. I think this does that to enable one to save it to their personal picture files, or to be able to print it out..otherwise if you pass on doing anything further with it, IT will just remain as a bmp file of a pic you zoomed in on..
I have used google maps and mapquest before, and yes even printed out directions..but never saved to my personal files to keep in my computer memory bank..However, if I go to google maps again, and plug in an address similar to previous searches...voila..guess what shows up..Any previous searches I did including those tiles of printed images I did...I think it is saved for some reason, to enable one to go back to relook at either same address or similar ones..speeds up your search...Not sure if it cookie related or not, but I think it is more site related.
Am I way off in my understanding of this??