Yeah, tac maps can be changed with a little cut and resizing using any kinda Imaging program. I use Paint.NET cause it's free and does what I need it to do. Lets you include as much of the soft map edge as you want to.
As a fellow map maker I can honestly say your in the right place. If it helps you out I suggest starting to look through the map sharing/discussion sections to find what people like. There's a few standouts like Monolithic for example. But a lot of maps in there are quite popular.
EDIT: Sharing your own maps in that section would also help them get a bit more attention from the community.
Delay can be very annoying, on that I'll agree. I just wish I could have it permanently open on one of my alternate monitor. I swear this would be one of COH2's coolest features if we could do it.
...Wait strike that ppl with single monitor setup would call it OP or cheating or some BS.
No wait what am I saying I only loose to [insert enemy team] is OP and [some unit] is bullshit OP, or my team sucks, RNG fucks me, game is buggy ro some other bullshit. Whatever the reason why I lost it is never my fault. I have no responsibility for any of my looses.