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The younger you are, the easier it is to take technology for granted. Whether you are cynical or, like me, more easily entertained, I find road mapping or route planner services like Yahoo or Mapquest simply incredible. The people who have put together this technology over the last 10 years are geniuses. Have a look at google maps . Although they got into the map game just a few years ago, they are now the 1,000 lb gorilla when it comes to maps and directions.
Google Maps has been my favorite for quite some time already. The technology in the geo-mapping arena has improved remarkably yielding incredible maps of most of the planet and directions to just about any address in the world. Below are quick reviews of G-Maps, Map Quest And Rand McNally, reading them should cut down your learning curve when you arrive at the websites.
After years with Mapquest I typically use Google Maps currently (although MapQuest still has one exclusive feature I will let you know about in a moment). My preference for this Google service developed after finally reading their very easy to grasp directions. If Google keeps going like they have they will rule the world in twenty five years. They have outstanding point-to-point mapping worldwide but their real power comes in their satellite mapping.
Google maps is incredibly feature rich and their tutorial does a way better then Mapquest job of explaining it than we can. With that in mind, let's cover the main applications, you will find plenty more when you explore the website. You can view earth satellite images all over the world and overlay streets on those satellite images, it's very cool. All the main map categories are available to view.
You can zoom into Brandenburg Gate in Berlin and actually distinguish tourists wandering around or see the traffic entering the on ramp of the Golden Gate Bridge. Map overlays can be added for almost anywhere as well. Perhaps the most exclusive tool of mapping is the users ability to adjust any route the computer plots. If you need to drive a different way all you have to do is drag and drop the route trail to a different point. Many times you want to go to alternate points on your way... other sites will not really allow you to do this, with Google it's a breeze.
Rand McNally is way older than Mapquest, he has been publishing maps since 1872, if you do the math, what you'll notice right away is that's a long time. All truck stops in the US as well as big gas stations sell Rand McNally maps. They are mostly in the printed map business but also have a website that provides computerized maps and directions. They are a good way to cross check directions from other services.
Mapquest has been around since the good old days of the internet... 1996... so by e-standards, it's very old if not antique. AOL bought it in 2000 and remains in charge. I could not count how many times Mapquest has provided me with accurate driving directions. They have outstanding US and European maps and directory but are definitely weaker on the rest of the planet. If you use them in the States, they are quite specific and usually dependable. The map accuracy drops off slightly in high growth cities, mapping always lags hyper growth.
The last major goodie on Mapquest, is that it will search for the cheapest gas or diesel no matter where you are in the US. It's a good way to keep an eye on your gas budget and it only takes about 30 seconds.
Hope this helps you never to get lost again, and safe travel to you always, with Mapquest or without.
Joshua, the Mapquest guy
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