Fun with Google Maps

Creative ways of wasting your time with Google Maps

My previous two Google related articles focused on building a Google map to display your company's HQ or branch network. I shall for the purpose of this article focus on the fun things you can do with Google Maps. Yes, folks, it is time to let our hair down.

Before you begin, log in to your Google Account and enter http://maps.google.co.uk into your address bar of the browser, or click the link entitled 'Maps' seen on the top left. Then click the link entitled 'My Maps'.

By then you should see a selection of user created maps. Above these, you are given the choice of creating a new map, or browsing Google's map directory. Click the link entitled 'Browse the directory'. By then you should see within your browser several add-ons for your Google Map.

Fun things to do with Google Maps:

1. Dig a hole through the Earth: always wanted to dig a great hole and end up in the middle of Australia? Google lets you do just that without the need of a spade or being frazzled by the Earth's inner core. From Altrincham we ended up being a few hundred miles south east of New Zealand;
2. Add elevation contours: if you enjoy walking or hill climbing, this is a most useful addition;
3. See Earth by night: ever wondered what the Earth looked like at night? This overlay enables you to see which parts of the planet are besieged by pollution from street lights;
4. Calculate the area of your front garden: the Area and Distance Calculator allows you to do just that;
5. View traffic jams: in some cities, Google Maps enables you to see which parts of the world are most congested. I was vaguely unsurprised to find the road to Bluewater being absolutely chocka;
6. View photographs of each place: by hovering over the 'More' link at the top right of the map window, select the tickbox left of 'Photos'. You will find the UK or any other part of the world covered by thumbnail images, lovingly contributed by fellow web users through Panoramio. Another plug-in is available through Geograph;
7. Watch videos through YouTube: again, by hovering over the 'More' link; select the tickbox left of 'Videos' and click on one of the thumbnailed TV screen graphics. The video plays within the speech bubble on Google Maps;
8. View Wikipedia entries: again, by hovering over the 'More' link; select the tickbox left of Wikipedia and click on any of the rounded square icons with a 'W'. From each entry is a link to the full article on Wikipedia.org;
9. See the seven strange wonders of the world: everybody knows that the sole survivor of the 7 Wonders of the World are the Great Pyramids, but this plug-in focuses on the esoteric, such as the Bermuda Triangle and Area 51;
10. Check Ordnance Survey grid references: a most useful tool for ramblers checking 4 and 6 figure grid references. Be warned, this can be quite addictive.

Mancunian1001, 24 July 2009.

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