Maps & directions via the net

Subject: Maps & directions via the net
From: Charcloth
Date: 10 May 02 - 12:35 AM

I was wondering, getting to the gig requires good directions & I have tried Mapquest & Yahoo. But both have their problems. Map Quest seems the worse because it will get me in the area but doesn't get the final roads off the main drag. That's where I need it from! Have any of you having better luck than myself?
Thanks Charcloth

Subject: RE: Maps & directions via the net
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 10 May 02 - 12:46 AM

There is a ggogle one, soory i don't know what it is called but if tou put an adress in googlr it give a link clklick here for directions.john

Subject: RE: Maps & directions via the net
From: Joan from Wigan
Date: 10 May 02 - 01:48 AM

For the UK I find Multimap very useful and easy to use. It covers addesses in Europe too.

Joan

Subject: RE: Maps & directions via the net
From: GUEST
Date: 10 May 02 - 02:49 AM

Charcloth, where do you live?

Subject: RE: Maps & directions via the net
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 10 May 02 - 03:10 AM

Gest-I think he live in america.john

Subject: RE: Maps & directions via the net
From: Watson
Date: 10 May 02 - 07:23 AM

Mapblast is good - it gives you maps and detailed directions.
It's good for USA and UK and other countries as well.

Subject: RE: Maps & directions via the net
From: GUEST
Date: 10 May 02 - 07:27 AM

If you are a AAA member, their triptik maps are the best online I've found, and their driving directions are extremely good. In fact, you could get an entire tour's maps, driving directions, restaurant and hotel lists, etc. all for free with your membership. Not to mention AAA travel discounts!

The membership is well worth the price. You get so much more than a free tow or jump start when you need it from this organization.

Subject: RE: Maps & directions via the net
From: Bill D
Date: 10 May 02 - 08:56 AM

Mapblast now gives me only a redirect to an advertising page called 'Vicinity'!....something's rotten in Denmark...

Subject: RE: Maps & directions via the net
From: Watson
Date: 10 May 02 - 09:02 AM

Mapblast is OK for me - I just tried it via my blue clicky.

Subject: RE: Maps & directions via the net
From: Murph10566
Date: 10 May 02 - 09:07 AM

This one always works pretty well for me:

http://www.randmcnally.com/

Regards,

M.

Subject: RE: Maps & directions via the net
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 10 May 02 - 10:22 AM

Thanks - Great sites - I saved them both - :-)

Steve

Subject: RE: Maps & directions via the net
From: Mark Clark
Date: 10 May 02 - 10:23 AM

I agree with the MapBlast recommendation. And you might also want to check out MapPoint.net, a new Web Service-based map service from Microsoft.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: Maps & directions via the net
From: Art Thieme
Date: 10 May 02 - 10:36 AM

My server, www.IVNET.com has a link to all kinds of map sites on this, their main page. (IVNET stands for the Illinois River valley.)

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Maps & directions via the net
From: Charcloth
Date: 10 May 02 - 09:15 PM

Thanks,I think I'll mark all these & compair next time I need directions. My guess all of them have their good & bad points. So compairing each of them wouldn't be a bad idea

Subject: RE: Maps & directions via the net
From: Bill D
Date: 10 May 02 - 11:18 PM

well..crap!...why does clicking on MapBlast give me this! ??

Subject: RE: Maps & directions via the net
From: Celtic Soul
Date: 10 May 02 - 11:45 PM

Charcloth, you aint just whistling dixie about Mapquest, hon...

MAPQUEST SUCKS!

After a hellish drive to a gig out in east BF podunk Maryland that involved a flat tire, a speeding ticket with a half hour lecture from Officer Friendly, we found that the directions we printed out via Mapquest put us roughly within 5 miles of where we needed to be. Funny...we tooled around for quite some time, but it just wasn't good enough to be somewhere within a 5 mile radius of a secluded wilderness camp.

Next time, I take a divining rod instead. ;)

Subject: RE: Maps & directions via the net
From: Charcloth
Date: 11 May 02 - 08:26 AM

LOL on the devining rod. I've Been there!

Subject: RE: Maps & directions via the net
From: GUEST,NH Dave
Date: 11 May 02 - 08:32 AM

My preference, for the US, has always been DeLorme's Street Atlas. It isn't free, but it usually has excellent maps down to the places where the dog crossed the street to chase the cat. For another few bucks you can get a package with a GPS Satelite receiver included as well, to tell you where you are on the map on the screen.

Although the program will print out great maps, an even more useful feature is to take a screen shot of the portion of the map that interests you, copy it to a grpahics program, and reverse it. Printing this, as is, gives you a mirror image of the map that can be placed on top of your instrument panel and read, right side up, off the inside surface of the windshield! A low tech version of a heads up display that doesn't require you to take you eyes off the road ahead to read the map.

I'm sure DeLorme doesn't recomend this tip!

Dave

Subject: RE: Maps & directions via the net
From: GUEST,NH Dave
Date: 11 May 02 - 08:42 AM

My preference, for the US, has always been DeLorme's Street Atlas. It isn't free, but it usually has excellent maps down to the places where the dog crossed the street to chase the cat. For another few bucks you can get a package with a GPS Satelite receiver included as well, to tell you where you are on the map on the screen.

Although the program will print out great maps, an even more useful feature is to take a screen shot of the portion of the map that interests you, copy it to a grpahics program, and reverse it. Printing this, as is, gives you a mirror image of the map that can be placed on top of your instrument panel and read, right side up, off the inside surface of the windshield! A low tech version of a heads up display that doesn't require you to take you eyes off the road ahead to read the map.

I'm sure DeLorme doesn't recomend this tip!

Dave

Subject: RE: Maps & directions via the net
From: Robin2
Date: 11 May 02 - 10:05 PM

Charcloth,

I always ask the presenter to write specific directions to the gig on the back of the contract...don't have to worry about new road work or changed streets that way.

Robin

Subject: RE: Maps & directions via the net
From: Charcloth
Date: 11 May 02 - 11:30 PM

I've tried that too but sometimes they tell you to go EAST when they actually meant WEST (BEEN THERE TOO!)Also not everyone knows how to give good directions. I for one always try to find something that marks that I went too far. That has saved me some trouble I'll tell you!

Subject: RE: Maps & directions via the net
From: Robin2
Date: 12 May 02 - 09:38 PM

LOL Charcloth, been there too!

My favorite directions I received from anyone included the directions to "drive until you see the black and white cow looking over the corner fence,then turn left." Sure enough, we followed the directions, and sure enough, there was this cow, looking over the fence at a left turn. When we asked how they knew it would be there there, they rationally said "It's ALWAYS there".

Robin

Subject: RE: Maps & directions via the net
From: Charcloth
Date: 12 May 02 - 09:52 PM

LOL

Subject: RE: Maps & directions via the net
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 13 May 02 - 09:05 AM

When we first moved to this rural county and my husband was making large animal veterinary calls, I had to get directions to the farm over the telephone. I quickly learned that NOBODY knows how to give accurate directions! (You should say 1)which road to take 2) how far to go 3) which way to turn) I finally learned to "act" REAL dumb (not too hard), in order to earn some sympathy points from the farmer, then talk through the directions fitting them to my template. Most people would just say go out such and such road and turn at the such and such landmark.

I once participated in an exercise in which I had to draw a picture when given only verbal directions (could not see what I was trying to draw). Some of the simplest geometric drawings are very difficult when you can only rely on verbal directions.

Subject: RE: Maps & directions via the net
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 13 May 02 - 09:14 AM

Oh yes, I've used MapQuest on the net. The directions are sometimes so detailed that even when I know the roads, it's hard to recognize them from the description. I like to see a map in addition to all the detailed directions...get an idea of the main roads, then fill in all the smaller roads. I did find that often these mapping sites will send you on the shortest possible route which may often be small highways instead of a longer route of Interstate highways. It also helps when traveling the Interstates to have an idea of some of the conventions used in numbering. (3 digit roads are loops, usually all Interstates converge in a city, exits are numbered according to mileage, etc.) There are often numerous exits off an Interstate going to various parts of a city. The mapping sites sometimes put you on an early exit where you have to drive through too much city traffic.