This is actually pretty amazing, if it isn’t staged (and it doesn’t look like it is). For those of you who are unaware, in Google Maps you now have the option in many cities to check out a Street View of the map you’re looking at, which will allow you to see whatever you would see if you were standing in that position.

The way they accomplish this is by having a specially fitted fleet of cars that have 360 degree cameras driving all over the place taking pictures. Once in a while they capture something really interesting. This is one of those times.
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I’m a big fan of Google Earth because frankly it lets you do things that no other software has ever allowed before. That, and the fact that it’s completely FREE! (Thanks Google!)

Google Earth will allow you to plan trips, see the planet from a satelite view, and generally waste time. It is also required for some of the posts on my blog which offer a virtual tour of famous places.

Here are a few quick videos that demonstrate exactly why you should download and install this free software if you haven’t already!
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I’ve come across a couple of sites which serve to provide real-time updates about which parts of the planet are currently dark, and when exactly sunrise is going to occur.
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If you are one of those folks that has a set walking or jogging path that you like to follow, but you don’t know exactly how far you’re covering you can use the new Geodistance.com site to help you answer that very question.

It’s quite simple to use… just zoom in on the Google Map until you’re at the magnification level desired. You can click and drag the mouse to move the maps, then when you’ve got the map where you want it in the screen simply click on the starting point to insert a starting pin and then begin clicking along the route.
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For those of you that recall the video I posted previously of the famous film about a car speeding through the streets of Paris, here is a link to a site that has actually created a real-time Google mashup showing the route taken by the driver. It’s pretty cool…

This is an interesting application of Google Maps and mashup technology, which is basically the concept of taking information from multiple sources and blending them together.

So, here they are:
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So, after all my talk about Global Warming, including the movie An Inconvenient Truth, wouldn’t you like to know what’s going to happen to your piece of real estate if (and when) global sea levels rise over the coming decades? For example, just look at the image here… if seas rise just 10 feet the Holland tunnel in New York will be under water!

Well, Alex Tingle now brings us the Flood Maps Website which allows you to see a visual representation of what will happen at varying levels of rising sea.
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WeddingMapper, enables couples who are tying the knot an easy way to map the festivities for guests.

The user can add various markers to an online map — such as “ceremony,” “reception,” “hotel,” or “airport” — to show where the locations are in relation to one another and then can supplement the marker with web links, uploaded photos and custom descriptions.

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There is a very interesting new site called Bid Nearby which is a mashup, or combination, of eBay and Craig’s List auctions overlaid onto a Google map in a given area.

Simply go enter the item you’re looking for and the site will display a map showing clickable pins which pop up descriptions of the items for sale at each location.

You could use this service to help cut down on shipping costs by purchasing items that are local enough to drive over and take delivery.