Map Misuse
No, alas I don’t have a story of people using maps for the wrong purpose, rather of a journalist using the term map inappropriately. Perhaps it was an editor? The article in PC World carefully details the recent deals between Google and Microsoft and DigitalGlobe and GeoEye. It explains the details of the satellites and their resolutions and notes how imagery can provide different information than computer generated maps. Then comes the “misuse:”
As a result, it will “take some time,” admitted a Google spokeswoman, before the new GeoEye maps begin trickling into Google Earth. In the meantime, Google will continue to use DigitalGlobe maps—the same maps Microsoft now has access—for many parts of the world.
Even when the GeoEye maps become available, Google won’t be able to display them at their maximum resolution because of U.S. security rules governing satellite photos. Rather, Google will have to ratchet the resolution down to 1.6 meters per pixel.
I’ve contacted the editor to see if this can get clarified.
