Mapping Bermuda
15Feb2006
I think it’s great when technology is used to enrich the lives of people in general, especially when that technology is software-based, being in that field myself. One of the best things to be developed recently is Google Maps – which gives you the ability (using ajax technology) to click and drag your way around the world.
Industry bloggers like Robert Scoble are always comparing the GYM (Google, Yahoo, Microsoft) companies offerings to see how they match up. When it comes to mapping Bermuda, many of these services fail. Sure, it’s easy to map the USA, but what about a speck of land 22 miles long x 2 miles wide in the middle of the Atlantic?
One of my favourite comparison tools for this is Flash Earth. Take the photo accompanying this post, for example. You can see this in Flash Earth using the Google Local option and zoom in fairly close. Try switching to Live Local (the MS equivalent) and you just see “No Imagery at this level” messages. You would think they would at least be able to see images at the same level of detail? Don’t even think about the new Yahoo Maps beta. This worries me, because it is not as if Bermuda is some isolated place in the middle of nowhere – we are only 700 miles from North Carolina, after all, and the majority of our tourists arrive on cruise ships from the good old US of A.
What about local efforts to map the island? I can only think of two: The somewhat archaic Bermuda Government Land Valuation site, and the treacle-like loading LookBermuda Photo map. You are better off sticking with Google.
Heah Idiot your sweater should be around your neck …not over your nose! ^..^