google+maps

toc =Google Maps= //find your position in the world on the world wide web//



=Introduction=

Google Maps is a free web based map server application and technology which is provided by Google. It is one of the most comprehensive map applications on the web today, thanks to it the satellite images which scroll over the earth. Google Maps can be used to look up something as come as your friends house address, or even can locate and area such as Area 51 (type in Groom Lake Neveda!).



=Features=

Google maps is incredibly easy to use, by simply dragging your mouse cursors, one can move about on the maps interface and perform functions such as zooming in and out through the use of thes scroll scroll wheel on the mouse or by using the interface. Driving directions are one of more popular functions that Google Maps is used for, which gives step by step directions to your destinations as well as an estimated travelling time. The benefit of the Google Maps is that it is an easy to user interface with has virtually no learning curve. While it does not use the process of natural mapping, as you move the mouse cursor up to move down on the map, within playing the interface for less than 30 seconds, a new user can figure out all the basic functions of the interface. All the different views (Satellite, Map, and Hybrid) can all be accessed with just a simple click.

=Downsides=

Beyond the obvious issue of this technology being used by terrorist to scope out potential sites in which to attack, other geographic information system ([|GIS]) developers complain that Google Maps is too simplistic and not detailed enough. There are also complaints by users of the system who state "Thats not my car" when the search for their house and see a different car in their driveway (which is very unrealistic as the images can be up to 5 years old). Also, you need to puchase the service to get the full close-up of the saught for location.

Google Maps cannot be implemented in some regions such as the United Kingdom, as postal codes cannot be translated into latitude and longitude as easily as zip codes system used in the United States. This is because the British crown owns the copyrights to the different postal codes, which Google does not have access too. So there are limitations to Google Map in a global context because its not very helpful in countries other than North America. =Implementation=

The success of Google Maps has also spawned the creation of some other interesting interfaces such as:
 * Google Earth: Its a very similar interface to Google Maps but it takes o na different perspective than a utility for direction to more of a touristic approach in which you can go sight seeing and see major sights in 3-D.
 * Google Moon: In this interface, a user can look at some the images the landing of the Apollo 11 spacecrafts landing on the Moons surface.
 * Google Mars: Is a collection of images from various NASA missions to the red planet. Details such as elevation of Mars’s surface can be distinguished.
 * Google Ride Finder: Probably one of the most useful offshoots of Google Maps. By connecting the GPS locators in taxi’s and limousines, users could potential locate taxi’s in there area (could be combined with the Blackberry technology to make it really powerful and portable).

=Personal Anecdotes (User Stories) - feel free to join in on the fun=

> =References=
 * One morning I was at work when a huge rain shower started to occur. I originally had plans to attend a soccer match later that evening but assumed the match was called off. I decided to call my friend who was originally suppose to take me to the match but i told him it was not necessary. To my surprise, as the day grew older, the clouds started parting ways and the sun shown like a new born bady. I realized the possiblity of the game resuming was highly probable. I called my friend but no answer. I tried again, but nothing. So i realized i wasn't going to be able to get to the location considering i did not know how to get there. Suddenly Googlemaps popped into my head. While still punched in for work i decided to sneak a couple peeks at the destination of my soccer game. I typed in the location and Googlemaps zoomed into the area. I could see clearly the surrounding areas and realized the destination was alot more familar to me then i otherwise thought. On that day, Googlemaps helped me get to where i needed to go. I could've used a regular map but that wouldn't have provided me with what the area would look like. Thank you Googlemaps. And thank you guys for reading.


 * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_maps
 * http://googlemapsmania.blogspot.com/