> http://www.theage.com.au/news/technology/online-map-linked-to-fatal-turn /2006/12/08/1165081119464.html > > This certainly adds a twist to the story. Even I wouldn't have thought to > verify online information. > > - Jim
The online mapping services can be an aid, but they're not always accurate. I can think of several instances where the directions that I was given were either odd (having you turn on and off the same road a few times rather than staying on it) or blatantly wrong. Using directions to our house from all three main mapping services will get you to our town. However, all of them bring you in using the longer, less-direct route using less-traveled roads. One of the services doesn't recognize any specific addresses in our town, so you're on your own once you get there. The other two have you turn in the wrong direction on our road. The destination dot on the maps says that the house is a mile or more away from where it actually is and at the corner of a little side street that I'm not sure exists. Plus they use an old street name for our road, and that isn't actually on any of the street signs. Someone who went only by what the mapping service directions say would never find us. The problem that I see with this from a technical communication standpoint is that there is no easy way to report problems like this and have them fixed. If you dig hard enough on the map web sites, you might find places to report errors, but judging by what I've read, this doesn't guarantee that the mistakes will ever be fixed. Donna - CONFIDENTIAL- This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential, and may also be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not review, use, copy, or distribute this message. If you receive this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply email and then delete this email. ______________________________________________ Are you a Help Authoring Trainer or Consultant? Let clients find you at www.HAT.Matrix.com, the searchable HAT database based on Char James-Tanny's HAT Comparison Matrix. Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] for details. Interested in Interactive 3D Documentation? Get the scoop at http://www.doc-u-motion.com -- your 3D documentation community. _______________________________________________ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
