GoogleMap: Where am i???

Today, what i am going to introduce to everyone is the GoogleTool of GoogleMap. I was a stranger to this application.
Google--all along to me, I treated it as a search engine for scholarly articles, images and to satisfy curiosity for foreign knowledge. Google seemed all-encompassing.

Apart from conveniently locating desinations, buildings, roads etc,

Google Maps can also be used:
1) on your mobile phones
2) to add/edit your business
3) to advertise
4) to be added into personal websites
5) to obtain free local information

Options are available:
1) Searching the map
2) Searching business on the map
3) Getting directions from the map
4) Street view, Traffic, Map, Satellite and Terrain

One can also Print the page, Send the page, or Link the page.
In fact, one can Save the searched-location for efficient future referencing.
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FIRSTLY, I decided to find my district using the tool.
I typed in: West Coast Link, Singapore. This was what I found...

Close-up view of the search-box and the result of the search below. My location is clearly identified with a marker.

Once done, you may choose to get directions to and from the destination by clicking on the links shown. Also, you can search the nearby vicinity for other landmarks or simply save the location to your maps for future reference.

I decided to narrow down my search to my HOME--West Bay Condominium.

Several options popped up on the left sidebar for me to choose the most appropriate one. Likewise, the location is marked. If you look closely, you can even see the road names and surrounding landmarks such as the Japanese School which was located down the road from my residence.

Then, I moved on the find out how to arrive at West Bay Condominium from Jurong East Interchange. The route is clearly marked out. Drivers can easily follow the route along highways/roads to arrive at their destination.

ONE THING TO NOTE: bus lines/services are not offered though. It's recommended to find those from Transisland or SMRT websites.

On the left sidebar, one can also see various instructions that are more specific should the graphics stump you. For instance, "Head northeasy on Jurong East St. 12 toward Boon Lay Way" and "Turn right to stay on West Coast Rd" are easily understood and enhance navigation.

Enlarged version of the above.

Then, i was feeling bored so i decided to check out the satellite view of my house. OMG! I didn't expect the image to be rather clear and the server did not lag either. I CAN EVEN SEE MY SWIMMING POOL!!! It is a pity though, that the image had a limit to its magnification. =( I had wanted to zoom in further to see my block or perhaps myself! =D

However, i scrutinized the surrounding area and even showed my father the map. He commented that the map appeared OUTDATED. I studied it further and concluded that the map was indeed not updated as i thought it was.

1) There ought to be a construction-in-process condominium down the road from my residence. However, the warehouses that are in the location IN THE PAST were still visible from the satellite. Those should have been torn down ages ago.-->Evidence 1:proved that the picture was not updated.

2) West Coast Park ought to be under construction too. The aluminium construction walls, barriers and cranes were visibly absent from the image. =( -->Evidence 2.

In any sense, I still think this tool is useful to a certain extent. However, I am hopeful that this technology will extend further to encompass worldwide regions, instead of focusing on USA solely(US cities are clearer and one can even check TRAFFIC from their computer).

On the other hand, GoogleEarth is also another option should one be curious to study various cities, countries or locations. I tried finding any available application in order to LOCATE STARS(which I'm utterly fascinated with)...BUT couldn't find. =(

Anyway, I also checked out Orkut.com which was under GoogleTools too. It generally functions as a Facebook.com or Friendster or MySpace application. However, I did noticed that it was less interesting or attractive as the other above mention sites. I guess in this aspect, GOOGLE would still lose out, eh? =D

Unless they decide to buy over those networking sites too. I dare not imagine. =( GOOGLE IS EVERYWHERE.

Welcome to the GoogleKingdom. Get Google-fied now, if you haven't.