Oh The Places You'll Go!

Two out of three librarians at the Maida Alumni Library are not terribly good with directions. We get lost. Frequently. On the road, in the stacks, just trying to walk across campus. All right, it's not quite that bad, but it's definitely not GOOD. So for a brief moment, let's talk about online maps and tools.

It's a good idea to compare directions between two sites. If you need a map to pass out for an event, some online tools will provide better images than others.

Want a fun map? A unique map? A map for travel or a map that will show you a unique topic...like wineries in California or libraries in England? You have to check out http://www.wayfaring.com Just try it...it's a fun twist on online mapping.

Now for the usual suspects...

http://maps.google.com - Google Maps
Yes, you know this one. The people who brought you satellite imagery plus maps...if you want to see what the roof of your house looks like, this is the site for you. Remember, sometimes the satellite data is months or years behind so the image might not look quite right. This is true of all the sites listed.

http://maps.ask.com/maps - Ask Maps
Ask is the little Search Engine that could. They are slowly and steadily becoming a competitor in all sorts of neat map technology. Try them out - unique feature - WALKING directions!

http://maps.yahoo.com - Yahoo! Maps
Every mapping website has a neat trick. At Yahoo! you can click a box and see current traffic patterns and accidents on major expressways.

http://www.mapblast.com - Microsoft's twist on mapping. Helps you keep track of locations you've looked up in the past.

http://www.mapquest.com/ - MapQuest excels at providing international directions. If you're driving in Europe you'll want to check this out.