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Why Google Maps Matters

Feb 10, 2005 11:15 AM
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As Jason at Signal vs. Noise illustrates, "It's the experience, stupid" (no offense).

Check their apples-to-apples comparison with competitors' maps.


Comments: Why Google Maps Matters

Hmm..My parents live in the middle of the atlantic ocean according to Google Maps.

Accuracy beats interface, no matter how good the interface.

Posted by: bubba on February 10, 2005 11:56 AM | permalink

Oops - forgot to mention map24.com - much better interface than google, and the data is accurate.

Posted by: bubba on February 10, 2005 12:01 PM | permalink

I tried Map24.com yesterday and it took so long to load I gave up.

Posted by: Steve Meister on February 10, 2005 12:06 PM | permalink

Accuracy?? How about Precision? Precision is even better than accuracy. I entered my address into both Google and Map24, and though Map24 was accurate, it wasn't precise. It had my house on the correct street, but in the wrong place (about 3 houses up the street from where it really is based on the nearest cross-street). Google on the otherhand, was precise and shows my house in the correct place.
As far as interface, Map24 uses a Java Applet. A slick interface and pretty cool for sure, but still requires the user to have a JVM installed and an up-to-date one at that for it to "work correctly" (According to the site itself).
For both of these reasons, I think Google's version wins hands down. Not to mention, Google's should only get better as it is in Beta

Posted by: Michael on February 10, 2005 12:16 PM | permalink

Anyone ever try www.mapsonus.com ?

Posted by: Emwolb on February 10, 2005 1:34 PM | permalink

Yeah, not only is Google Maps fast, it handled a solid Slashdotting.

Posted by: Joe Grossberg on February 10, 2005 3:57 PM | permalink

To Michael:

What you describe is an accuracy issue. Accuracy relates to "how correct" something is. Precision is a different matter. Let's say you had two real life landmarks, one that was 1.0 miles away, and another that was 2.0 miles away. If the map showed the first one beign 1.5 miles away and the other 2.5 miles away, the precision would be good, but the accuracy would be bad.

To Steve:

Map24.com was pretty fast for me, both two days ago and today.

Map24 and googlemaps are pretty and all, but in the end, I'd rather good, clear instructions over pretty pictures. It looks like that is still a bit off into the future.

Posted by: O'dell on February 10, 2005 5:42 PM | permalink

Ok, someone just pointed out what separates Google from Map24. Try searching for some kind of business (e.g. pizza) along with your zip code.

Posted by: O'dell on February 10, 2005 11:27 PM | permalink

I can search for pizza all day long when I go visit my folks this summer. However, I don't think Google has any listings for pizza in the Atlantic Ocean.

The interface could be a interactive tattoo on Laura Prepon's ass - it will still be worthless when its accuracy is over 2000 miles off.

O'dell - nice Accuracy vs Precision example. I prefer the Cruise missle example: We may be able to put one through the bedroom window - but if its the wrong house it matters not what window it went through.

Posted by: Bubba on February 11, 2005 3:04 PM | permalink

No more comments! Either someone has violated Godwin's Law, I'm tired of the discussion or, most likely, the ten-week window has closed. You can, however, contact me through email.