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June 18, 2008 11:34 AM PDT

Quikmaps does what Google Maps failed to do

by Josh Lowensohn
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When Google launched its MyMaps feature last year I was pretty excited about the potential for creating things with it. Growing up in a house that required giving very complex directions because Mapquest would deliver people to the other end of our neighborhood I looked forward to making simple, personalized maps that could be shared easily. While the big G has done a great job adding a directory of special layers, the tools for creating your own maps have not seen that same advancement.

To answer that call Quikmaps, a third party tool that plugs into the same Google Maps data, is a far simpler solution letting you simply doodle on the map. In some cases this can be far more useful than Google's straight line tool like when you're creating turns and arcs (not all streets are straight). The best part is that the results will scale when you zoom in and out. Still included is a straight line tool, but between the two Google actually has a stronger effort since it shows the distance between each segment.

Map creations can be embedded, which I've done after the break. You can also share them via e-mail or with a simple URL.

[via Lifehacker]

Quikmaps

Draw on your maps with doodles and more using Quikmaps.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

Josh Lowensohn writes for Webware.com, CNET's blog about Web applications and services. E-mail Josh, or follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/Josh.
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by someguy999 June 18, 2008 12:57 PM PDT
i agree its simple, straight forward and cool. A new favorite just made into my browser's favorites. Its totally lame and this doesn't already exist either in either Google/VE.
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by TheGearbox June 19, 2008 11:57 AM PDT
You can grab any path in Google and drag it as you please. Heck, if your looking to doodle then just print screen and open up paint and go to town. I'm not sure what the advantage is here with quick maps.
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by Apple72205 June 19, 2008 4:29 PM PDT
I use Microsoft MapPoint to visualize business data (primarily at the Zip Code level). I'm looking for a more open (free) solution. Is there (what is a) web-based mapping solution that I could accomplish this same type of data viz with? Basically, I'm looking to take a spreadsheet containing zip codes in one column and values in the next and import that data onto a map to review response in different areas. Any help/suggestions is/are GREATLY appreciated!
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by Arentt February 14, 2009 6:27 PM PST
how do you print the map
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by Arentt February 14, 2009 6:41 PM PST
how do you print the map
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