Whenever I need to go somewhere and I’m not sure how to get there, I turn to Google Maps. I know it’s already a popular thing but maybe some of you tech-reluctants haven’t tried it out yet. Google Maps in Canada, the US, and a number of other countries allow you to browse a map and to search for a location based on longitude and latitude (which we all have handy when you’re looking for the location of a kid’s birthday party, right) or street address and city. Once you get the location you’re looking for, you can print the map or, using my favourite feature, click on directions and enter your current location. It will then give you turn by turn directions on exactly how to get where you want to go. You can even choose if you want driving directions, walking directions, or public transit directions. I like trying to get Google Maps to give me wrong directions, but they haven’t steered me wrong yet (oooh, bad pun). Google Maps also allows you to choose different views of your map like satellite images or terrain. You can also find photos, videos. or Wikipedia articles related to the area you are displaying on your map. You can really spend a lot of time fooling around with the features of Google Maps, if you are so inclined or you could just use it for directions. Either way, it’s a piece of technology that can make your life easier.
Oh, and if you’re feeling really tech-adventurous, you can, depending on your location, make your own Google Map. Who knew maps could be so interesting?
