[Sigia-l] google map list

[Ruth Kaufman]

On Feb 9, 2005, at 10:49 AM, Bharath wrote:
>
> Here is a weblog that complains that google is a copy cat
> http://jroller.com/page/cyblogue/weblog?anchor=google_is_copycat
>
> which copied a good old maps website from Switzerland 
> http://map.search.ch
>

This blogger almost makes an interesting point about innovation - that 
it's not the same as 'invention', but rather the application of 
existing technologies, techniques, ideas, etc. to solve (new) problems.

So what problem is Google solving here? Certainly a business problem, 
but that may point to a need in the marketplace. What is Google really 
offering to consumers that Yahoo! maps and Mapquest do not? (using 
these examples as guesses for key competitors to Google Maps.) What 
comes to mind for me is simply the interface -- the need for a better 
way to interact with electronic maps. After about 15 minutes of use, I 
think the aesthetics are better, and I like that I can drag the map 
around. I won't belabor the UI features, as they've been covered pretty 
well elsewhere in this thread. I wonder if the data is more accurate 
and how much geographic scope they plan to cover over time. Or maybe 
there's an innovation on the operations side of this offering.

On a different note, cartography, as a practice, is largely about 
convention -- the symbols, styles, techniques are all born of centuries 
of practice. So if Google is copying another mapmaker, it's for your 
benefit as a map reader.

Regards,
Ruth