Google just released a Static Maps API. That means no more grabbing screenshots. This is some great timing as I’m currently working on a project which needs to incorporate static Google Maps. It’s really quite cool how it works. No javascript, just an image. Within your html, you simply place an image with the source pointing to a URL which contains parameters such as location, zoom level, map type etc.

Here’s an example using the following url:

http://maps.google.com/staticmap?markers=29.204019,- 81.049919&zoom=12&size=512×512&maptype=roadmap&key =MAPS_API_KEY

In the example URL above I’ve bolded all of the parameters. There are numerous available parameters, of which I used five; markers, zoom, size, maptype, and key.

You’ll see that I used the markers parameter to define where I wanted the marker placed. In this case it’s at Daytona Beach (Bike Week starts this weekend, after all). If you don’t want a marker, and just a clean map of an area you would use the center parameter rather than the markers parameter. Those numbers that come after the markers parameter are the latitude and longitude. How did I come up with these values? I visited google.com/maps and brought up the location I wished to mark. Then I clicked the “link to this page” button at the top right of the map. The url it spit out contained the latitude and longitude I needed.

The next parameter used was zoom. This value can be set anywhere in the range of 0-19 with 0 being a view of the entire earth. The next two parameters I could have left out, as the values I selected for size and maptype are the default values anyway. But, it is nice to have the option to select a size, horizontal pixels by vertical pixels as well as the option to select a mobile map type using the maptype parameter. The last parameter I used was key. This is required as this is where you place your specific API key. You can obtain this key for free.

This is just a very brief example of what you can do with the Google Static Maps API. For more information check out Google’s documentation.

Wired posted an article yesterday about the GM built self-driven car, called “Boss”. It’s really interesting stuff. The SUV is slam loaded with number crunching processors, lasers, GPS, and all kinds of geeky goodies. What it does is quite amazing. It literally drives itself down the highway, stopping at stopsigns, merging to traffic, etc. etc. Below is a video of the beast.

Mentioned in the video is the idea that we’ll see consumer cars with this capability within about ten years. TEN YEARS! How awesome is that? Now, of course this would raise all kinds of concerns. First, you wouldn’t want your car’s trunk to be full of servers and you wouldn’t want a dozen antennas and orb like projectiles sticking out from every angle.

So, first and foremost the technology that makes it happen would have to be seamlessly integrated. I don’t see that being too big a deal. What I do see as a big deal is, how good will it really be? Will we be able to actually sit back and relax enough to trust our car to drive us around? At first, I think it would be quite terrifying. But, where I see this being particularly applicable is on Interstates. Perhaps auto-pilot.. err auto-drive wouldn’t be able to engage unless you were on an interstate. In which case a new option would appear on your touch screen HUD dashboard reading, “Auto-Drive” for example.

Then, of course, the question of how comfortable are you allowed to get will come in to play. Once Auto-Drive is enabled can the driver rider fall asleep, swivel his/her chair around to partake in the entertainment facilities of the back of the vehicle? I think that will all be figured out in time.

But, to help limit incidents I imagine in the initial stages it would be limited to interstate only use (which makes perfect sense and is probably the only situation I’d want to use it in anyway) and the driver would be able to take over control at any point by simply grabbing the steering wheel, or hitting the brake or accelerator. I wonder what effect this would have (coupled with a hybrid or electric power plant) on the airline industry. Anyway, I won’t be getting a car anytime soon but now ten years from now is looking like a good purchase time.

Google Maps is an internet staple. It holds together the very fabric papers of the Internet. We all use it. Well, I do anyway. And, I’ll use it more now that it has what Google is calling, “terrain view”. Just visit google.com/maps and click the “terrain” button at the top right of the map. You’ll be treated to a visual delight. The colors are magnificent, the speed is unbelievable, and it even visually feels like paper. Well done, Google! Take a gander:

Couldn’t resist checking out Mt. Katahdin.. Good times. Now go put it to use!

Christina and I stopped by Burger King lately (shh.. she’d probably not want you to know). I love me some Whopper, and don’t let her fool you, she’s all about the Whopper Junior. But, after our latest visit to the BK I’ve got some beef to share.

We walked in, stood in line, and took a look at the value meals. I took one glance up at the meals and corresponding numbers, and realized they’d number fucked screwed upset me. They threw a curve ball, a dagger, they’d stabbed be in my proverbial left-to-right, sequential number-reading ass back! Take a look at BK’s incredibly useful Value Meal Menu:

1, 2, 7?.. oh, i have to go down.. 3, 4, 9?.. damnit! Stop making me think, BK!

During the Thanksgiving Holiday I made a last minute decision to travel to Virginia. The mode of transportation? A bus via Greyhound.First off, the bus got me where I needed to go. On that note, did it have the most luxurious travel accommodations? Nope. Was that expected? Yep. But, could Greyhound improve their service? Indeed.

If they could do one thing to improve their service, what would would it be?  I’d start with customer interaction. There are two people customers will meet face-to-face. The attendant at the information desk and the bus driver. Both of these folks, in all stations I stepped through were incredibly stern and belittling. I understand they’re likely tired, and deal with all run of folks who don’t have a clue what they’re doing. But, for those who do have a lick of perception, and for those who don’t, there is one thing these folks could do to greatly improve the Greyhound experience. It’s only one word, and it makes the top of the list of most PR related “top 10 employee responsibilities” posters. What is it that could possibly be so important?

Smile.

It seems so insignificant. But, I really believe something so small would vastly improve the Greyhound experience. If the Greyhound employee takes the initiative to greet the customer with a smile, they’re likely to set a less somber mood; the number one problem hounding Greyhound.

They could also use some well designed signage, but that’s subsequent to smiling.