One of my stand-by's for the longest time had been MapQuest but it looks like it's time has come with Google Maps. Such a slick interface, no long refreshes... sweet. I just wonder how it handles on dial up...
Just more evidence of Google doing better than anyone else out there in whatever they try. I guess there is a reason why they only hire the smartest people.
Actually, I think I still like mapquest better. The style of maps on mapquest is better IMO. When zoomed out more street names are shown. I also like nice thin lines for roads rather than those large ones shown on google.
ReplyDeleteCheck out these two maps of the same area, and tell me which one you think is a better map.
Google Maps
http://tinyurl.com/3saoc
Mapquest
http://tinyurl.com/4srzx
Google needs more street names on their maps. You are right though, I like how Google doesn't require the page to refresh, just the image. However turn off Javascript and see how far you get with Google Maps. Mapquest works fine sans Javascript.
Turn off Javascript? How many people actually don't have js on these days? And why? I bet that people who don't actually program don't even know what javascript is...
ReplyDeletethe thin line vs. thick line argument reminds me of that co-op report that I had to "resubmit". The editor had a comment about my table of contents and how she liked dots .... from the text to the numbers and not underscores:
Title............................. 1
Other Title_______________________ 2
It's personal opinion between us, but I would bet that the thick lines scored better in usability testing in the google labs.
I would have to say that the thick lines is definitely a judgement call. For people with poor vision it would definitely make a difference. I think the javascript thing probably would help a lot with mobile devices, which, I'm not sure, but may or may not support Javascript. And having accessible maps while being mobile is kind of a nice feature. There's also a few reasons why you might want to turn off Javascript. In internet explorer, it's the only way to disable popups with out installing 3rd party toolbars. Internet explorer also allows Javascript to copy stuff from your clipboard. Imagine an app that you thought you were filling out a simple form, but it had Javascript just stealing whatever it is you put on your computer's clipboard? All you'd have to do is copy the clipboard to a hidden field, and submit it with the form. Seems you could get a lot of information that way. Anyway, check out this link for more info.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.arstdesign.com/articles/clipboardexploit.html
I think that my point still stands. For the people who *know* what Javascript is AND know how to disable it, I don't think that for the most part they will be using IE anymore.
ReplyDeleteAnd can you imagine trying to find your way on a phone screen? Oie.
Opinions, Opinions. Give it some time before dumping mapquest unless you are positive that it has provided the best route.
ReplyDeleteeg.
http://maps.google.com/maps?&q=3755%20riverside,%20ottawa,%20on%20to%20Mont-tremblant,%20qc&where=the%20map%20area%20below
hahaha... ya, I did a mapping from my place to work. It's about a 15 minute bus ride in traffic... so it's pretty close.
ReplyDeleteGoogle maps had a 60 mi. trip down the 417 and had a "U-turn" (it even said that!) and went all the way back.
It definally needs work, but it's still in "beta" like other google technology.
It's interesting that the detail for Ontario seems to be a lot better than Quebec. Follow the Ottawa River to Montreal on medium zoom to see what I mean...
ReplyDeleteI love the way I can pull the map around.... awesome.
That map to Tremblant is a pretty good example of a bad algorithm. Maybe they forgot that the greedy algorithm only works on graphs without any cycles.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, check out the MapQuest version of the same map. Distance is cut almost in half.
http://tinyurl.com/3scv3
Also, did anyone else catch the Mapquest reference on The O.C. tonight? They used it as a noun. "Did you Mapquest the meeting?". As in, did you go on mapquest to get directions to the meeting. I love The O.C. </ducks>
Oh, and one more thing, using Mapquest might be a pain on mobile phone, but a PDA wouldn't do such a bad job, depending on your screen. Some have 640x480.
ReplyDeleteOn the topic of Google's display. The browser-based coding is really nice. The displays are clean and fast... but at a cost. Use Google for awhile and see what happens to your temp file space. This is because Google uses pre-rendered images. If you use the "rubber band" function (click and drag map to follow a point-to-point route), you'll see that your browser ends up caching every rectangular component image. MapQuest, Yahoo, etc. render the maps on the fly.
ReplyDelete