Driving Directions Photography Shack Guide
Driving Directions Online With More Features
By Louis Myrandle
It can be difficult to keep up with the innovations
in the world of driving directions and online maps.
At an almost dizzying speed, map data sites are aligning
themselves with mobile phone developers, satellite companies,
professional photographers, business owners and travel
agencies to offer that fully customizable "one
stop shop" type of site that transcends the borders
of internet connection, offering us guidance wherever
we go. Ask, Google, MapQuest and Yahoo are a few of
the big contenders, with Live Earth quickly vying to
become the fifth industry player.
Searching For Driving Directions Online
There are a number of advantages to searching online
for driving directions. For instance, you can read about
traffic accidents, congestion or construction, all updated
in real-time. You can check for alternate routes to
take the shortest distance, shortest time, avoid highways
or avoid tolls.
Along the way, you can find gas stations, restrooms,
eateries, post offices and other useful businesses.
You can gather step-by-step directions from one location
to the next, including stops at up to 10 different locations,
which will tell you the mileage and estimated travel
time to make sure you do not miss turns or arrive late.
In the last few years, you have also gained the ability
to send these online maps to your cell phone so you
don’t even have to waste printer ink or paper.
The Dawn Of Online Maps
MapQuest driving directions were at the forefront of
the mapping community since the dawn of online maps.
They were the first site to offer multiple stops without
creating a new search and the ability to email a road
map link. They too offer business locations and traffic
reports.
If you notice a problem with some of the directions,
there is a Data Error Report form you can fill out to
improve the site’s accuracy. Comparatively, one of the
best things about MapQuest is the simplicity and
functionality.
The Downside Of Online Maps
Although the downside to this site is that you cannot
do all the fancy drag-and-drop maneuvers (if you consider
that a downside at all), there are no satellite maps,
you may have a hard time planning alternate detour routes
and the language used for explaining slight turns or
freeway ramps can be a little confusing.
In general, no website is without its fair share of
flaws, including the sites featuring driving directions.
In essence, you are at the mercy of the reporting agencies
and the behind-the-scenes data flow. Accidents are only
recorded as reported and may not always be factored
into your driving time.
Construction delays are also not always updated to
the very minute, which can also lead to unforeseen delays.
Construction reports are not always 100% reliable either.
Also, if you are running on a slower computer or internet
connection, then you could find the drag-and-drop online
maps extremely irritating, taking a long time to
load.
About the Author:
Louis Myrandle has written a number of articles on digital
photography including Background
Photos, Upload
Your Picture, Freelance
Opportunities, Digital
Camera Photo, Stock
Photography, Wedding
Photography Tips, Wedding
Photography Package, Wedding
Photojournalism,
Photography School,
Professional
Wedding Photography, Digital
Wedding Photography.
Keep a lookout as more articles from this author on
this website in the near future.
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