map posts

I Just Made Love maps global lovemaking

by Jay Hathaway Oct 12th 2009

If you want to know where in the world geeks are getting lucky, look no further than a new site called I Just Made Love. As the site's name implies, users can place a marker anywhere on the map, showing where they just made love. Were you on a boat? That's ok, you can drop a marker in the water, too. Markers are anonymous, so there's no embarrassment involved (but no bragging, either.)

Where I Just Made Love gets a little less Safe For Work is in the details you enter. Sure, you're not putting in your name, but you can record whether you were indoors or outdoors, and select one or more positions you found yourself in during your escapades. You can see these details for any marker on the map by clicking on it.

The most obvious complaint about I Just Made Love is the lack of personal accounts: geeks love data, and there has to be a market for a service that would let you track your own ... activities ... over time. On the other hand, anonymity for all users means that more people are likely to enter new data points, making the site more interesting to browse.

Tags: just made love, JustMadeLove, lovemaking, map, sex

Filed under: Social Software, web 2.0, Microblogging

Trendsmap mixes Twitter Trends and Google Maps

by Jay Hathaway Sep 24th 2009

Twitter Trends, whether you find them useful or not, are a rich and interesting set of data to work with. The problem is that you can't narrow it down much: trend data comes Twitter users around the world, with no way to filter by region. Trendsmap combines Twitter Trends with Google Maps to add that ability.

You can zoom in and out on the map to narrow your view of trends to the area you're interested in. Clicking on an individual trend gives you more info, including how often people are tweeting about the trend, and additional links and media that might explain why it's popular. Trendsmap even pulls information on each topic from the Twitter Trend explanation site What The Trend.

[via Mashable]

Tags: google maps, GoogleMaps, location, map, trends, twitter

Filed under: Utilities, Windows, Freeware

Visually map nearby wifi signals with Ekahau HeatMapper

by Lee Mathews Jun 16th 2009

NetStumbler and inSSIDer are cool wireless utilities, but Ekahau Heat Mapper takes things one step further. When you launch HeatMapper, you'll have the opportunity to select a map image - say, one you put together using Autodesk Dragonfly.

Wander around your location and click on the map every time you pause to take a reading, and HeatMapper rolls the collected data into a slick, interactive map. Hover over an access point, and the display updates to show its signal strength.

It's a handy way to help optimize your wireless network - or figure out who's AP you should jump on if your own router happens to take an unexpected dirt nap.

Have a Guinness on us, Molly!

Tags: map, netstumbler, vistumbler, wifi, wireless

Filed under: Productivity, Google, Search

Goog-411 now provides intersection info

by Jay Hathaway May 30th 2009

Goog-411 isn't the most glamorous of Google's services, but the ability to call and get Google's directory service for free is indispensable if you don't have a phone with a browser. The service seems to be getting better all the time, and the latest feature will tell you the cross streets of the business you're looking for. That's a useful service in areas where building numbers are scarce, or all the roads have names instead of numbers.

To use this new feature, do a Goog-411 search like normal, giving your city or ZIP and saying your search terms. When the list of business comes up, and you choose one, say "details." It's not exactly a revolution, but it's the kind of basic, useful feature you'd assume Goog-411 would have had since the beginning.

[via TechCrunch]

Tags: 411, directory, goog-411, map, phone

Filed under: Fun, Utilities, Google, iPhone

Google Earth comes to the iPhone, and it is good

by Jay Hathaway Oct 27th 2008

In an impressive case of two great tastes that taste great together, Google Earth for the iPhone is now available in the iTunes app store. If you like Google Earth on the desktop, you'll like it even more when you can manipulate the globe with your fingertips. Zooming and rotating are easy with the familiar iPhone pinch motion, and the iPhone's GPS adds a new dimension to Earth.

I was hooked on this app from the first time I made Google Earth zoom in on my location. The visuals are stunning, and you can activate Street View once you're zoomed in. It literally took two clicks to get a view of my front door: one click on the location button, and one to allow Google Earth to use the GPS data. There's also a compass button to point you North, and a search function that even includes your Address Book contacts. The only thing missing is a tilt mode: it would be fun to explore the earth by using the accelerometer, but it wouldn't be very practical.

UPDATE: Google Earth does have a tilt mode! You can turn it on and off in the preferences. Thanks, Belden.

CORRECTION: Street View isn't coming until the iPhone 2.2 firmware is released. The satellite image of my apartment is just at an odd angle and looks really good on an iPhone screen. Thanks, Steve.

Tags: google, google earth, GoogleEarth, iPhone, map, street view, StreetView

Filed under: Fun, Internet, Utilities, Windows, Macintosh, Web services, Google, Freeware

Browse the news geographically, explore the stars with Google Earth

by Danny Mendez Apr 8th 2008

Just when you thought -- "I wonder what Google could possibly develop next?" -- the company busts out a new layer for Google Earth which gives users the ability to browse the day's New York Times headlines by region.

In all honesty, the feature is a great idea, and we're sure the company has some work to do (hopefully adding support for other news outlets), but it comes off as "half-assed" for now with New York (what a surprise!) getting the most NY Times markers. California, Mexico, Michigan, and a few other places get a marker too, and as you can see in the picture, the NY Times provides Google with the most important of news stories. Oh well, it'll probably get a lot better.

Other Google Earth improvements in version 4.2 include a simpler GUI, high-res photos of terrain, the ability to explore stars and constellations, and more.

[via Techmeme]

Tags: earth, google, location, map, maps, news

Filed under: Internet, News, Google

Google Maps diminishing value of homes, causing "mental suffering"?

by Danny Mendez Apr 5th 2008

google maps street view of oakridge lane

A couple is accusing Google of diminishing the value of their property and causing them "mental" suffering" for including their recluse home in the Google Maps Street View project. The road leading up to their house is apparently labeled "private", something the Street View operator must've missed. We checked the Street View footage up to the house and didn't notice any clear "private" signs, but don't take our scientific analysis as fact.

They didn't like that Google invaded their "privacy". Some of the court papers are available online, and if you check them out, you'll notice mainly boring gibberish but also the address of the home. Suing Google has already done more damage to their "privacy" than the pictures on their own.

Aaron and Christine Boring want at least $25,000 and the 360 degree pictures destroyed, but something tells us the case doesn't stand a chance against Google's well paid, state-of-the-art, corporate lawyers, which come from the best lawyer factories in the nation.

Tags: google, law, lawsuit, legal, map, maps, petty lawsuits, PettyLawsuits, street view, StreetView, sue, suing

Filed under: Features, Hardware, Symbian, Productivity

Hands-on: GPS with Maemo Mapper on the N800

by Ted Wallingford Oct 17th 2007

Last time we took a look at the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet, we showed how to do some fun, if easy, stuff with it--like setting up custom RSS news sources, placing VoIP calls, and even playing a little Quake 2. Now, we've assembled a new video demonstrating one of the most quirky hacks you can pull off with Nokia's little handheld computer: assembling a functional GPS tracking system using a Bluetooth GPS receiver and freely-available software.

In this feature, we'll show you how to set up Maemo Mapper, the open-source navigation software, and how to obtain and install the map tile images you'll need to equip your N800 with both street maps and satellite imagery. We'll also see how the N800 compares to Nokia's N95 smart phone, which carries onboard GPS hardware and mapping software.

Tags: gps, howto, internet tablet, InternetTablet, map, n800, navigation

Filed under: Fun, Internet, Web services, Google, Search

Google gets closer to earth

by Chris Gilmer Oct 3rd 2007

Time to get virtually closer to a few more pieces to the Earth's landscape. Google Earth, which will be followed by Google Maps, has updated imagery in the US, Latin America, Africa, India, China, Australia and New Zealand.

Google isn't saying exactly where to find the updates, which hit 130 countries. So if you think it is going to be easy to find the new imagery, think again. You are going to have to work a little. Google has put together a list of 11 clues as to where the updates are. Here is one to get you off and running on your Google Earth trip:

The Trojan horse from the 2004 movie Troy is visible in this city:

Çanakkale province in northwest Turkey

If any DLSers are map explorers, or have come across the recently updated satellite imagery, feel free to drop a note in the comments as to the locations.

Tags: earth, google, google-earth, google-maps, map, satellite-imagery, search

Filed under: Business, Design, Fun, Internet, Productivity, Web services

Plan your trips at TripCart

by Chris Gilmer Sep 19th 2007

As the weather slowly shifts from summer to fall, many of us are left thinking about traveling south for some sun. With plenty of trip planning websites out there, TripCart focuses on combining all attractions into a single convenient location.

When the time to getaway rolls around, check in with TripCart. This travel website focuses on attractions that would be interesting to hit up when traveling in the U.S. Select a destination and TripCart pulls up Google Map with pinpoints of places to check out, including hotels, places of interest, theme parks, shopping, golf, sporting events, nature/parks, zoos and aquariums. It certainly takes the hassle out of visiting multiple locations for vacation planning.

Even more useful are the in depth descriptions of cities and the locations around where you are searching. Great if you have never been to the area before.

[via profy]

Tags: google-mashup, map, maps, travel, travel-planning, tripcart, vacation, website

Filed under: Fun, Internet, Web services, Google

Where not to speed in Toronto mashup

by Chris Gilmer Aug 14th 2007

While we don't condone speeding here at DLS, this is a Google Map mashup that pinpoints locations that people might not want to go above the speed limits in the Toronto, Ontario area.

This male targeted mashup pinpoints the locations more commonly home to hidden police cruisers with radar on their minds. By clicking on cars, users are presented with a description of where they are normally situated. Ok, so this map is great when you are sitting on your computer, but what about when you are out on the road, good luck remembering all these locations. No need to fret, there is a data download that can be imported into GPS devices.

Speedtrap, Beartraps and Copspy also track the locations of where our nation's finest police officers are doing their job.

Tags: google maps, GoogleMaps, map, mashup, speed trap, speeding, SpeedTrap, toronto ontario, TorontoOntario

Filed under: Design, Developer, Fun, Internet, Web services

Browsing Amazon in a few creative ways

by Chris Gilmer Jul 10th 2007

Flipping through the categories in Amazon can get a little boring after a while, especially if you're just checking in to see if something catches your attention. So why not browse it in a creative way?

Josh Catone has outlined five different ways that users can check out goods on Amazon. From Flash visualization tools to relationship explorers, this small list covers them. They might not be for you, and they may not be the most effective at hunting for the products you want, but they sure do serve up the information in a creative way.

LivePlasma uses flash to visualize Amazon's store and links music, artists, bands, movies, directors and actors and gathers information creating a display of related products.
Flowser also uses Flash to visualize Amazon's store and provides the top three results for each category searched in.
BrowseGoods lets users move and zoom in on Amazon's product galleries. Its very selective right now with only contains cookware, shoes, sporting goods, toys and watches at the moment. Clicking on an item expands it in an info box.
TuneGlue, a relationship explorer, mashes data from Amazon and Last.fm, displaying different relationships between musical artists.
Coverpop uses covers of goods displayed in a collage format, mousing over expands the covers for a closer look, and link out to Amazons page.

All of these sources are just a different way to get a different view of what Amazon has in stock. We have to assume that all of these visualization tools get their revenue from Amazon's affiliate program. Nonetheless, it gets the information to you in a more creative way with the use of API's and mashup techniques, if you're in to that.

Tags: amazon, api, goods, map, music, shopping, visual, visualize, web

Filed under: Design, Developer, Fun, Internet, Blogging, Web services

Poll the world with PollMappr

by Chris Gilmer Jul 10th 2007

Are you dying to know some answers to a brewing question you have? Get the answers out with PollMappr.

There are plenty of online poll generation tools that demand a fee for usage, and a few free ones that tend to stray on the dull side. PollMappr lets users put polls on their blogs, websites or social network. The fun doesn't stop there however, PollMappr maps where on earth the answers are coming from. Upon viewing the poll results, users and poll generators can click and be taken on a trip through Google Earth to see where people came from.

So not only do you get your questions answered in a few simple steps, you can study the pinpointed locations and get a better understanding of your polls respondents.

Gallery: PollMappr

Tags: answers, earth, google, map, poll, pollmappr, questions

Filed under: Design, Developer, Fun, Internet, Photo, Web services, Social Software

Document your life with Maptales

by Chris Gilmer Jul 9th 2007

You might come across many interesting things during your day to day travels, and may have even thought about how to go about sharing them with others. Google now lets users pinpoint where pictures are taken with Picasa Web, but Maptales lets you tell a story.

Maptales is powered by Google Maps, and allows users to tell a story by pinpointing locations, and showing a route on a map. Users can create and upload their story from a blog or Flickr account, and also from mobile devices. Paging through ones posted story takes users through the journey they have created, and even displays the longitude and latitude. Getting started requires an invitation key, Maptales does provide an email address where you can ask for one.

The project was built by a small team based in Austria, and hey, if you are interested in helping develop it, they are hunting for experts in CSS, Google Earth & Maps, JavaScript, and XML.

Gallery: Maptales

Tags: api, flickr, google, map, maps, maptales, online, social, story

Filed under: Fun, Internet, Utilities, Web services

Finding cell phone signals with SignalMap

by Chris Gilmer Jul 3rd 2007

Cell phone signals are pretty easy to catch now. Major providers have boosted their signals, and troubleshooted hard to reach areas, but every once and a while we hit a dead spot and the dreaded "hello?, hello? Are you there? hello?" kicks into play.

SignalMap hopes to alleviate any pain in this area. They have used the Google Maps API and mapped up a user generated list of cell phone signals by major service providers, mapping dead spots and comparing signal strengths.

There are a lot of mapped signal areas, but it is not by any means a comprehensive guide at the moment. However, it's building into a great site to check before heading out on business or pleasure to check if you might be heading into a bad area. To help the directory grow users can add their signal strengths, phone type and carrier to the list.

Gallery: SignalMap

Tags: api, google, map, mashup, phone, signalmap, web2

Graveyard Shift - zombie-busting Time Waster

With Halloween fast approaching, it's a great time to get in some practice defending your territory against zombies. In Graveyard Shift, you take aim at zombies and other creepy-crawlies, blasting them into splatters of cartoony green guts. It's a casual first-person shooter, and it's very easy to get the hang of - use the mouse to aim, click to fire. Graveyard Shift has at least 15 levels, and it might even have some secret stages I haven't unlocked yet. They key to getting good at Graveyard Shift is learning to use ...

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