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Re: Should Google Populate Every Map on Google Maps?

John Doe — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 12:03:15 -0000

I disagree with you Don. That is sort of like saying in my eyes lets not launch our beta product until we are good.

If you make it, they will come, so why leave it blank, put in the basics and let the rest build around it.

Re: Should Google Populate Every Map on Google Maps?

Mladen Mihajlovic — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 02:18:31 -0000

Google in _not_ doing anybody a favour for having google maps. This is it's business and it is servicing customers. If the customers are not happy then there is an issue.

Other than that Google has been a bit slow with some countries' data. South Africa is still very poor on Google maps and for no reason since there are loads of good sources for that data.

Re: Should Google Populate Every Map on Google Maps?

Ling — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 23:46:29 -0000

First of all, Google Earth does have some data wich allows users to see individual buildings, so there's no reason why Google Maps shouldn't have the same data.

Secondly, this little flap should be seen in the wider context of the problems faced by Georgia related websites just before the conflict began. I think Google's name was dragged in just to give more publicity to the issue.

Re: Should Google Populate Every Map on Google Maps?

Bill — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:14:44 -0000

Georgia roads are available to download in various GIS formats here, Csv, SHP and KML (google earth):

http://finder.geocommons.co...

Re: Should Google Populate Every Map on Google Maps?

Jed — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:07:34 -0000

Live maps seems to have the best detail of the high-end web map products.

http://maps.live.com/defaul...

Re: Should Google Populate Every Map on Google Maps?

beth — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:50:55 -0000

I couldnt agree with you more. Google is doing people a favor by even having it... before them, no on had anything as nice as them. Google shouldnt HAVE to do anything.

Re: Should Google Populate Every Map on Google Maps?

Peter — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:42:55 -0000

I think the better story would be what were the implications of Google taking down information (if they did) during a time of war. The fact is people were either interested in or needed map information during a time of chaos. A better technology related story to the Georgia-Russia conflict here... www.gothamtechminute.blogsp...

Re: Should Google Populate Every Map on Google Maps?

Jon — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:41:55 -0000

Well, if people are not satisfied with Google Maps they can always use Openstreetmap. Most cities in Europe the data is of much higher quality anyway and even in Georgia there is some data available. Unfortunately, they only show it in their local language.

Re: Should Google Populate Every Map on Google Maps?

John — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:41:30 -0000

And Karabagh should be listed under Armenia, since its historically Armenian

Re: Should Google Populate Every Map on Google Maps?

Brad — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:26:05 -0000

It's pretty lame, but it is their free service. They can take their ball and go home if they want.