Map Help Photography Shack Guide
Google Map Help With Online Features
By Louis Myrandle
It can be terribly frustrating trying to find map help
these days. Mapmakers and application developers seem
to think that they have made such a good interface and
such an impeccable design that everyone will easily,
intuitively be able to perform every function.
Yet, this is not so. Many of us are wondering, "Why
is the map not saving properly?" Or "How do
I view maps other people have created?" Or "Where
are the buttons for that new Google Latitude feature?"
Google Maps Online Help Page
To make matters worse, when you visit the Google online
maps help page, you get some answer like "Read
the forums" and spend hours searching for a simple
Q & A. Yet never fear, web surfer. Here is your
layman’s guide to tips and tricks using Google Maps.
Many people are looking for map help to print or save
their directions. The default print option is the step-by-step
directions with a tiny map that is barely legible. For
you map-mongers, you can get a larger full-size map
by canceling out of the print dialog box (in Firefox),
at which point a new window will pop up, allowing you
to check a box that says "Show original map
view."
Can’t Save Your Driving Directions Map
The preview then changes to a full overview of street
maps and driving directions, where you can modify the
zoom level on your print window. When it comes to saving
your directions, it may be surprising but you can’t
actually just save your driving directions map on the
Google map site; you can save place-marks and maps but
not the full shebang.
Instead, you have to click on and copy the link to
the map (on the top right corner of the map that says
"Link to this page"). If you save that link
as a bookmark or in a Word document, then you will be
able to access the exact same set of directions for
next time.
The Latest Google Map Features
Perhaps you don’t realize you need map help but you
would like to know about some of the latest Google Maps
features. For example, did you know you can get walking,
biking and public transit directions, as well as driving
instructions?
You will see these options in a drop-down list under
the "location and destination" window on the
left-hand side. You may also want to try the neat "Street
View" option, which allows you a 360-degree, real-time,
video view of a particular street, like Miami Beach,
FL or the Sunset Strip, CA.
Street View Button
Just click on the street view button and drag the person
icon to the street of your choice. However, be aware
that this technology is fairly new so not all streets
offer this special vantage point. On the top of the
map, you may also click on the satellite maps, the street
maps or the traffic pattern views.
You may have also heard about a feature called "Latitude"
where you can track your friends based on their cell
phone proximity. Sure, it sounds a little creepy, but
it can be extremely helpful if you have a friend traveling
in from far away or if you are waiting on your late
spouse to put that roast in the oven.
Running The Most Efficient Local Information Search
Lastly, many people require map help to run the most
efficient local information search within Google Maps.
If you are searching on the map and find a hotel, for
instance, then you can type "search nearby"
to find the closest restaurants or attractions. To get
directions from one store to another, you can type "home
depot, charlotte NC to office depot, charlotte NC."
You may have to choose a list of directions to ensure
you get to the right business, but this is an easy way
to get point to point directions. While you are out
and about, you can see gas prices on your route. To
access this Google mash-up, visit www.maps.google.com,
select "My Maps" and browse the directory
for "Gas prices by GasBuddy.com." You may
find some really cool custom maps here for weather,
restaurant or local real estate maps.
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 In, Wedding
Photography Package, Wedding
Photojournalism, Canon
EOS Digital,
Photography School,
Photographer Wedding, 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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