A Useful Google Map Help Guide

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If you want simple, no-nonsense directions, then MapQuest might be the best site for you. The website is very user-friendly and easy to use. On the other hand, the maps Google create can be easy as well, but there are many options for tinkering and having fun as well. You can create your own one, browse other people's maps, change your driving direction route and take a virtual sightseeing tour in a faraway place, even Mars or the Moon! This is a map help guide for Google, showcasing a few of the hints, tips and tricks to making your mapping experience more enjoyable.

Many people are looking for map help to print or save their directions. The default print option is the step-by-step directions with a tiny one that is barely legible. For you map-mongers, you can get a larger full-size one by canceling out of the print dialog box (in Firefox), at which point a new window will pop up, allowing you to check a box that says "Show original map view."

The preview then changes to a full overview of street maps and driving directions, where you can modify the zoom level on your print window. When it comes to saving your directions, it may be surprising but you can't actually just save your driving directions map on the Google map site; you can save place-marks and maps but not the full shebang. Instead, you have to click on and copy the link to the map (on the top right corner of the map that says "Link to this page"). If you save that link as a bookmark or in a Word document, then you will be able to access the exact same set of directions for next time.

Perhaps you need map help customizing your own map on Google. Did you know that you can change the place-mark icon? This can be very helpful if you are creating a map of your city or a road trip one that features several different kinds of places. For instance, you can use a comedy/tragedy mask icon for theaters, a martini glass icon for bars, a bed icon for hotels or a burger and shake icon for eateries.

Once you drag and drop the basic icon and place it on the map, you can click on it and select "Edit" to change your place-mark. Here you can also change the title that appears on it, the description and the icon (by clicking on the upper right-hand picture of the icon). The My Maps feature is pretty straightforward, but you can share yours with others by selecting "copy link location," emailing your map or embedding the map to your website or blog (by clicking on the "link text" button, copying and pasting the embedded link.)

Travelers often need map help finding notable landmarks. You may not necessarily know the address of the Eiffel Tower, but you can zero in on the location by typing in "Eiffel Tower." Now say you are in the car driving but you have no idea where you are. You can turn your cell phone into a GPS device using Google Maps for Mobile right on your cell phone. (Check out the video for this on the Google Maps site). You may also want to explore the country of Japan to decide where you would like to visit, just by typing in "Japan." You can also search for zip codes, airport codes, latitudes and longitudes.

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Comparing the Most Popular Map Websites

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Finding maps online makes a lot of sense. You will have the latest information updated in real-time for a new street in your neighborhood or up-to-the-minute traffic reports to help you plan your commute. Step-by-step driving directions make any trip a breeze. Yet which online map site reigns supreme: Google, Yahoo or MapQuest?

First let's look at simple directions. That is why most of us find driving directions online after all, is it not? If you are worried about road hazards, construction zones and thick traffic, then Yahoo Maps is good for that function. MapQuest lets you check boxes to avoid highways and tolls, choose the shortest distance or take the route with the shortest time. The user-friendly, simple nature of this site is also a good perk for someone who wants their directions right away.

They also have recently added the drag-and-drop function that Yahoo has had, which helps you navigate around traffic obstructions. If you are walking or jogging, then Ask is the only site that lets you plot your pedestrian course. Google Maps can zoom in for close topographical views of any continent. To sum up, Yahoo is the best site when traffic or construction sites are a concern, while MapQuest provides quick point-A-to-point-B directions.

So what about maps of sightseeing? MapQuest does not offer satellite images currently, although if you have the addresses, you can plot out multiple points on your sightseeing tour to discover an efficient route. Google can show you extremely close-up views all around the world from Nairobi and Lima to Baghdad and Tokyo.

Yahoo also takes you right to the heart of the world's most far-flung continents using a number of sources for its images, although Google and Ask have more display pixels. Conclusively, Google Maps probably has the most comprehensive database of real-world images and the fastest response time for your sightseeing needs. In fact, there are entire websites dedicated to "sightseeing without leaving your living room via Google satellite maps."

Another site not detailed here, but worth looking at, is the newer Microsoft Windows Live Local. You can stick a pushpin on favorite locations, record notes and upload pictures to your sites to save or share with friends, which is sort of like the Google map creator function. You can also view traffic reports and get the clearest route, explore collections of sightseeing landmarks and tour 3-D cities.

This new player seems to perceptibly take the best of the other sites and do it better. As you browse, you will notice that all the sites have similar interfaces (except for that rebel, MapQuest) but the subtle differences are what make people so adamant about their favorite mapping engines.

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Maps, Guides and the State of the World Atlas

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Each year groups of concerned stakeholders and citizens of the world get together to collect data. Many of them have an agenda, but all of them care about their cause; that is to say the cause and future of humanity. Perhaps, you have heard of such projects at the United Nations, Pew Research Institute or various environmental groups.

Lately, we see many of those who are quite concerned about Global Warming are busy gathering data for such books. Now then in case you have never heard of this, well let me recommend a book that you can look up to learn all about it. The book is called;

"The State of the World Atlas" by Michael Kidron and Ronald Segal (a Pluto Press Project). 1981.

Now realize, that much of these charts, graphs and maps are somewhat driven by the need of the authors and those involved with the project to make a statement. The data can later be interpreted as to cause, but the concept is to have the data show results and then back track to the causes and effects of what has transpired.

We have all heard that 1% of the populations controls most all of the wealth, and no one is too surprised about those findings. We also know that the US produces most of the World's energy and up until now has thus, produced quite a bit of its air pollution. In this book each region of the world and country is sized based on such resources and uses.

Thus when it comes to population density, China and India are largest and when it comes to wealth, the US dwarfs all the others, so you get the idea. And the book is very interesting to peruse and think on, in fact, I have a copy in my library, you need one too.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Blog Content Service. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance Winslow's Bio

Visualizing Density By Julie Campoli and Alex S. MacLean

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Visualizing Density By Julie Campoli and Alex S. MacLean, Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, 113 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, ISBN 1-55844171-9 , 978-1-55844-171-2, $39.95, 160 Pages, 2007

Planners and designers must make room in their reference library for this engaging new book that explores land density in the United States. The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a think tank, in conjunction with the authors, Julie Campoli whose focus is landscape change, sprawl, and density and Alex MacLean, an aerial photographer, have produced an authoritative book for both professionals and the layperson. Green building and design is more than a trend and this in-depth book outlines the current density problem and as well as offers solutions to uninspired sprawl and urban housing concentrations that strain infrastructure and residents.

Content covers: Growing Closer: The Count, The Coming Boom, Spreading Out or Growing In, Crosscurrents, The Benefits, Why We Hate Density, How We Can Love Density and Patterns of Density: Planning for Density, Designing for Density The Density Catalog features aerial photos of density of Less Than 1 Unit Per Acre to More Than 200 Units Per Acre . Additional features include a forward, references, acknowledgements, about the authors and background information about the Lincoln Land Institute. Also included is a handy CD-Rom for educational use.

The aerial photography tells a compelling story of how many cities and suburbs can learn and visualize density patterns, which Mr. MacLean does in a impressive way, with crisp, clean and interesting photographs. Highly recommended for urban, suburban and ex-urban planners, designers, city and village administrators, smart growth advocates and residents of areas around the country looking for a birds-eye-view of their community.

Mark Nash is a Chicago based residential real estate author, broker and columnist. His advice, analysis and tips have been featured on: Bloomberg TV, CBS News, CNN, Fox News Channel, NBC News, The New York Time, The Washington Post, Business Week, Parade, and Smart Money Magazines, The Library of Congress, Washington, D. C., HGTV.com, and RealtyTimes.com. Nash's annual survey "What's In, What's Out with Homebuyers" is utilized by more than 500 news organizations in the U.S. and Canada.