Digital Lifestyles Reference Guide

Aug 27, 2004

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Maps for the desktop represent a slightly different set of solutions. Some are geared toward more educational uses, some provide connectivity to mapping information when no Internet connection is available.

DeLorme Street Atlas

DeLorme is one of the first companies in the digital mapping business. Street Atlas is a classic driving directions application, offering a replacement to the in-car nav systems by coupling your laptop to a GPS. The app looks like it hasn't been overhauled since about 1995, but continues with new versions every year. If you are used to the friendly GUI options found in most Windows applications, don't look here, you won't find them. Configuration of GPS connections is quite simple, but the depth of features is lacking to the point of almost being unusable. At $99 your money is better spent on Streets and Trips (covered below).

Google Earth

Google Earth offers a zoom from space to satellite viewing distance of the entire planet. Search for specific addresses, get driving directions and locate restaurants and other businesses of interest. Searches may be saved and shared with other Google Earth users. Tilt and rotational features provide 3D views of cities and major landmarks like the Pyramids of Egypt. The app is a hybrid of desktop and Web data, with access to all of the satellite imagery at the disposal of Google Maps. If you are disconnected from the Internet some of the functionality is hobbled. One interesting application for Google Earth is home buying - you can see what the neighborhood around a potential house looks like from the air before you visit. For $20, Google Earth adds additional support for GPS compatibility, spreadsheet data and improved print resolution.

NASA World Wind

World Wind is a NASA project to combine Space Shuttle satellite images with the imagery of their 3D Blue Marble project to create a topographical representation of the planet. Rather than focusing on business applications, World Wind is updated with data like natural disasters and precipitation information on a daily basis. Views include barometric information, cloud cover, rainfall, country borders, place names and a full set of latitude and longitudinal detail. World Wind may be used for locating specific place information as well, but core competency is in finding natural happenings around the world. Recording the images displayed in World Wind creates some interesting movie effects, which may be used as AVI files in other movie projects.

Microsoft Streets and Trips

Streets and Trips is a more traditional desktop mapping application. It features extensive driving directions, trip planning and construction updates. The software is fully functional when disconnected from the Internet, although requires a connection to update information from government transportation departments. With a GPS connected, Streets and Trips is a viable alternative to the in-car navigation system. Over 1.8 million businesses and points of interest are included in the database, including things like ATM machines. If you have a Pocket PC or Windows Smartphone, an integrated feature to export mapping information to portable devices makes it possible to download specific maps and leave the core program on your desktop. The software is typically available for as little as $25.00.

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