Cool Mapping Web Apps...

But they aren't killer apps yet. The apps I'm talking about are created using the Google Maps API, in what's called a Mashup. Oh and for those who don't know, API is application programming interface, and it's the instructions, in a sense, on how developers and other computer applications can access functions of another application.

Ok, enough of the boring stuff, now lets talk about these map apps. I was alerted to these two apps from Chico Gino because he posted about them at his blog. So, I felt the need to give them a test run.

Since I'm about to leave on vacation and plan to do much cycling, I figured I'd best know where I'm going. First, I tried out Bikely before moving on to Gmap-pedometer. Bikely is pretty cool; it allows users to either look at route maps or create maps of their own, which can then be exported. But, at this point I'm not sure what those exports can be used for. I'm sure I'll find out or someone will let me know. Gmaps had most of the features of Bikely but with the addition of a calorie counter, mile marker, and you could choose between English or Metric measurements. Two features that really sold me on Gmap were the "create there and back route" link that saves you the time of retracing the route back and secondly, the Elevation links that create the profile of the route. Uber neato!

So, here are the results of my tinkering...

The map I created from Bikely: http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Half-Moon-Bay-loop

The same map, but created in Gmaps: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=311555

Check 'em out!

Oh, and if you happen to be around the Half Moon Bay area and have free time between 8 and noon on either Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday of next week, drop me a comment and we can hook up for a ride.