google maps represent

July 7th, 2005

When google maps were first released into the world about six months ago, I thought they were pretty damn cool. Not only were the maps quite visually appealing, but the ‘ajax‘ enhanced ability to continual scroll/zoom/change views without a page reload was the kicker. I had not even heard of ajax before this.

Now fast-forward to last week, I happen to notice a link on del.icio.us, I think the title was simply ‘GoogleMaps API’. One click later, I saw the future and it was Google. No seriously, how cool for these guys to open up their mapping to folks and more so, to develop an extremely easy API for hacks like myself. I mean within 15 minutes, I had some rough examples for a client put together.

Who cares if Google reserves the right to add advertising to the maps, I don’t care if local Starbucks show up as well. Really though the coolest of the coolest is all the applications/examples/hacks that are being created based on the API, some here. I realize that before an API, some cool stuff had already been developed, but for morons like me, instructions are always preferred.

Thanks Google, now how about an API to Google.Local.

Entry Filed under: web related