Technically Speaking
7 April 2004

In yet another effort to keep us glued to our computer screens there is another new useful and interesting service offered by Google. I used to use Yahoo Maps, http://maps.yahoo.com , for all of my driving directions needs now along comes Google with their own solution. Google Maps, http://www.maps.google.com , works in relatively the same way as the Yahoo solution, but the maps are much clearer and with less clutter. In addition to the clearer maps, there is also a link that can be clicked on for every stage of the journey that will zoom into the map for a better reading of the directions.

By far the most exciting feature is the satellite images accessible from the same page. The opening page to Google Maps allows you to look up a specific address while along the top is the option to get driving directions and do a local search. There is one more option for your mapping needs and it is accessed by clicking on the Satellite link to the right of the screen. Clicking the link brings up a satellite image of your chosen “place” to be displayed and on the right side of the map are zoom sliders. The images load very fast and are amazingly and detailed. You can switch back to the regular map view by clicking on the Map link.

While the whole US has been mapped there are areas when the amount of zoom is limited; this depends on how much mapping has been done. I was able to zoom in far enough in Columbus to be able to see my apartment building and even make out my parking space and my neighbors’ car parked next to me. For a peek at the university type in 1100 College St, Columbus, MS 39701 that will take you to the front gate, zoom in all the way, then click on the map and drag down a bit, the Gazebo is easy to pick up it is the circle in the middle of the “W” with the three paths leading up to it.

I have had a chance to play with the new Playstation Portable(PSP), $249.99 and it is a very nice machine. The games look great, the screen is amazingly clear, and watching Spiderman 2 on it was very cool. Due to limited space this week look for a comparison between it and the Nintendo DS $149.99 in the next edition.

This edition’s question is a simple one, see if you can find some of the nation’s landmarks in Google Maps and send me the address to post in a future edition. The person that sends the best address, to be determined by me, wins a $10 gift certificate to Wal-Mart. Deadline is Sunday April 10. Good Luck.

While you may be worried that such a service may be a risk to your privacy, Google says that the maps are six to twelve months old and are not updated daily.

As always send your tech questions or comments to mat@muw.edu. They will be
answered in a future column or with a personal reply.

Remember when visiting the Spectator website to find clickable links make sure
you go to http://www.muw.edu/spectator not http://muw.edu/spectator without the
www you will not find it. Be sure to check out the Spectator online for stories that did not make it into the paper and videos of “W” events.

Mark Taylor, a senior in communication, was previously an information systems
trainer for the US Air Force and a technical support technician for an internet
service provider. A game and consumer electronics reporter during the Dot Com
boom, he now owns Fanfare Media Services in Columbus.