Monday, February 25. 2008

Updated Real Estate Site Touts Proprietary Map Search

Why would a press release about an updated real estate site for Chicago note its "extraordinary, proprietary interactive map and address search that lets users see everything there is to do and see around a specified location?" I understand "extraordinary" and "lets user see everything"; I guess proprietary still means not only "we are the only ones who have it" but also, "it's way better than everyone else's."

It did work on me; I checked out the site which offers a Google Maps-based search tool and that includes overlays of locations of restaurants, gyms, grocery stores, etc. It's sort of a combination local search/real estate search tool. Also of note, you can fill out a form to receive a free printed Chicago neighborhoods map. (pdf) I guess I'd have put that in the press release!

By the way, I found no sources for the data on the mapping app, but was disappointed that mousing over say a museum didn't reveal its name, but rather its address.

Posted by Adena Schutzberg in Google, Local Search at 06:00 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) |

Tuesday, February 19. 2008

Girl Scouts Do Local Search

The Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania are apparently the first to offer an online tool to find the nearest "cookie sales booth." The app, accessible by clicking on the giant thin mint on their site, is put together by an official GS contractor and ultimately taps into Google Maps for directions. It's sort of too bad senior Scouts didn't get a chance to build the app themselves...

- The Morning Call

Posted by Adena Schutzberg in Google, Local Search at 08:55 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) |

Getting on the Map Without an Address

Chris Silver Smith in the Locals Only column at Search Engine Land takes on the question: How do you get your business in Google Maps if you don't have a physical address? Who has that sort of problem? Contractors who work out of their trucks - painters, roofers, etc. - who live somewhere but cover a territory elsewhere and who many not want their home addresses listed. The short answer from Michael Jones: get a PO box.

Perhaps the next iteration of local search will be geared more to business territories. Pizza places can geographically draw where they deliver or painters can determine their range, etc.?

Posted by Adena Schutzberg in Local Search at 08:39 | Comment (1) | Trackbacks (0) |

Friday, February 8. 2008

ALK to Use Microsoft Local Search

While Yahoo and Google's local search have been tapped for satnav tools to date, this is the first I've heard of a company tapping into Microsoft's offering. The company's offering is called CoPilot.

Future versions of the system promise the ability to tap into live online reservation systems, thereby helping users make an informed selection.

ALK said that, unlike many mobile-based GPS systems, CoPilot maps are stored on the device so data transfer is limited and access is faster and more reliable.

The new system will be provided as a free download to all existing CoPilot users in the coming months.

Posted by Adena Schutzberg in Microsoft, GPS, Local Search, Routing, Tracking, Logistics at 08:26 | Comment (1) | Trackbacks (0) |

Thursday, January 24. 2008

Ten Local Links

Google, which began putting mapped results on its general search page (Universal Search) some time ago, has upped the number of such results from a typical three to, in some situations, ten.

Search Engine Land tracks the details, but the most interesting part from my perspective is the "why?"

Google said today that the reason it's showing more links is because usability testing revealed that many people didn't realize there was additional local content available beyond the three listings, despite the "more results . . ." prompt. Accordingly, Google said that with the 10 links it is hoping to signal people that there is much more local content a click away.

Posted by Adena Schutzberg in Google, Local Search at 08:24 | Comment (1) | Trackbacks (0) |

Friday, January 18. 2008

SpatialPoint Scores Points by Finding Radio Stations Carrying Super Bowl, Uses SQL Server 2008

SpatialPoint is launching a Microsoft Virtual Earth and SQL Server 2008-based application showing the potential of that application's new spatial datatypes. Using the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) radio station coverage polygons and a routing function, a user can plot an anticipated driving route to find those stations broadcasting the Super Bowl. SpatialPoint has created a website called "Follow the Game" to assist sports fans who have to miss seeing the game.

So what's special about this? All point in polygon and polyline functionality was developed with the CTP-5 release of Katmai. The app uses Virtual Earth for geocoding and routing as well as some of SpatialPoint's Atlas technology. The application is free to the public and while the site is live now, some printing functionality needs to be implemented. Printing the map will show both the station call letters and frequencies. I plotted a route from Glencoe IL to Huntsville AL; the web will have directions such as the following:

You can tune in station WSCR-AM (670) broadcasting out of CHICAGO immediately. Coverage should last for about 131.78 miles.
You can tune in station WTMJ-AM (620) broadcasting out of MILWAUKEE immediately. Coverage should last for about 18.31 miles.
Depart on Dundee Rd (West) (1.01 mi)
1 Road name changes to SR-68 [Dundee Rd] (0.16 mi)
2 Take Ramp (RIGHT) onto I-94 [US-41] (13.17 mi)

Posted by Joe Francica in LBS, Databases, Local Search at 03:29 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) |