Maps and Directions
Wednesday, August 17th, 2011How to Use Interactive Maps To Find Your Driving Directions
Carrying printed maps when travelling from one place to another is a sensible thing to do. Interactive maps offer various views based on the features of the map site used. Some include satellite images of locations, normal map images, and three dimensional imaging of major world cities. Mapping websites have introduced a number of software compatible with various mobile phone applications. Moreover, interactive mapping programs are free, easy to use, and as detailed as a map can get.
Mapping technology enables you to get driving directions between any two points. Maps can be printed as well. Many mapping sites allow you to see ground-level views and 360-degree views of select cities. With interactive maps you can receive traffic alerts and have them directed to your cell phone. Driving directions are presented step-by-step with landmarks mentioned along the way. Some interactive maps allow you to explore three dimensional maps where you can use your fingers to drag a map to a specific inclination and view in 3D. The compass mode automatically rotates the map to the direction you are facing. For businesses, interactive maps are the best way of directing customers to their offices.

A Useful Google Map Help Guide
You can create your own one, browse other people’s maps, change your driving direction route and take a virtual sightseeing tour in a faraway place, even Mars or the Moon! This is a map help guide for Google, showcasing a few of the hints, tips and tricks to making your mapping experience more enjoyable.
Many people are looking for map help to print or save their directions. 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”). Perhaps you need map help customizing your own map on Google. Did you know that you can change the place-mark icon? For instance, you can use a comedy/tragedy mask icon for theaters, a martini glass icon for bars, a bed icon for hotels or a burger and shake icon for eateries.
Once you drag and drop the basic icon and place it on the map, you can click on it and select “Edit” to change your place-mark. The My Maps feature is pretty straightforward, but you can share yours with others by selecting “copy link location,” emailing your map or embedding the map to your website or blog (by clicking on the “link text” button, copying and pasting the embedded link.)
Travelers often need map help finding notable landmarks. You can turn your cell phone into a GPS device using Google Maps for Mobile right on your cell phone. (Check out the video for this on the Google Maps site).



