Today I shall be sharing the new things I have learned about Google Maps. But before I start, what exactly is Google Maps? Well, it is a basic and free web mapping service application and technology provided by Google. It has street maps, and a useful route planner for travelling by foot, car, or public transport. In addition, it has an urban business locator for numerous countries around the world. As quoted by the developer, Lars Rasmussen, it is a way of organizing the world's information geographically.


Google maps uses javascript extensively, something I must admit I am terrible with as seen in my midterms for CSE. =P The top and side bar are simply coded together by HTML, another one of my woes =( And as the user drags the map around, the grid squares are downloaded from the server and inserted into the page. Sounds simple enough?

We are able to search for anything we want on Google maps, be it places to eat, shop or stay. We are also about to get information about the place through the "more info" link, which provides information such as reviews, ratings, opening hours. The place that we search for shall be displayed clearly on the map which makes finding it a breeze. This short video shall show you more on what Google Maps can do.



Also since the maps are made for the benefit of us users, its only natural that we help to make the Map more accurate. The report a problem link the map allows us to make changes that happen in our location, perhaps change of road names or changes in the driving directions. The edit information button is also useful for us to add description for places and to let everyone know what kind of a place it is. This short video will tell you more about this function.



And if we make multiple searches, they will be displayed as layers on the map. Hence everything we search for will be lay out to us on one single map. This is very useful when we want to plan our route with many destinations in mind, a day activities that include shopping, food and other leisure activities.

And when we search for something in general, like for example coffee, every place that serves coffee will be displayed as hot spots on the maps. This is useful when we want to find a new coffee place near us. After all its good to have some variety in our lives instead for keep going for the same thing like Starbucks or Coffeebean. As seen in the photo below, the coffee houses are displayed as red dots on the maps, the ones with a bigger head and letters on it are the more popular ones that other users have recommended.


I also find the reviews on places very useful. When I am looking for a new place to dine, what better way to find out about the place than to ask others who have been there before. The reviews are contributed by other users and these reviews server to tell their fellow users more about the place and the service. I will remember this when I am searching for a new place to dine next time. =)

And in Singapore, where land space is very limited, there could be several businesses in an area, such as shopping malls. The "What's here?" button tells us everything that is found on a particular area. I did a search on Vivocity, and this button displayed all businesses that I can find in Vivocity, this is very useful especially if I want to find out if a particular shopping mall has the shop I want.


And lastly, we can create our own personalized maps! The possibility are endless, we can make a map for scavenger hunts, a map for our friends of the day activities or a map to plan for a romantic date. This function is very useful and very simple to use. This video will tell you more on how to create your own personal maps.



After looking at what Google maps can do, don't you feel like trying it out yourself as well? As a driver, I find Google maps very useful for planning my routes in advance and not get lost. In addition, I can now find out about dining places that I didn't know existed and with the help of other users, find out if it is worth my time to check it out. Google maps is really a truly wonderful tool and the best part about this is that its free!