Mapping Google Maps

jgwebber writes "Google Maps is starting to cause a bit of a stir as Google makes the browser do still more backflips than most expected. In the tradition of dissecting Google Suggest and GMail, I've done a little dissecting of this newest service."

Google + DOM = Mozilla Juggernaut

[aaron240]

Google is bravely doing fantastic thing with client-side programming...something many websites have given up on because of cross-browser incompatibility. My money is definitely on Google being very aggressive with Mozilla/XUL based on this work. That's going to be good times!

backflips?

[Quasar1999]

Either the browser supports it, or doesn't... stop personifying software... it does what it designed to do. Just because other pages out there don't use certain features doesn't mean the browser is doing some amazing task by supporting features.

Re:Safari support

[nojomofo]

Does anybody else think that this behavior sounds like Microsoft? The "standards be damned, we're going to do something cool our way". Now granted, it's not their browser, so they're stuck with what browsers can do, but it does suck that this isn't truly cross-platform.

Re:Safari support

[garcia]

I'm not necessarily complaining, as I can use Firefox, but it is too bad that even Google can't get a webpage to render properly on any modern browser, such as Safari.

I assume you are saying that Firefox isn't modern? I really don't see how your complaint is any different than those posting yesterday from outside of the US (and lower .ca) that Google Maps didn't support their countries.

This is a BETA. They are going to target the largest group of surfers possible. In order to do that they are going to program the software to interface with the browsers that are most widely used (thus IE and Firefox). Yeah, Safari is great and all and I try to use it daily but Mac users (and nevermind those using Safari) are in the minority.

Just hold on tight and wait for Google to get to you. They will get around to it (just like they did for GMail) but you just have to be patient while they work through the Beta.

Re:Usage...

[Twench]

Have you tried it out yet? I liked Mapquest but have begun finding their implementation clunky. This service is incredibly fast, incredibly accurate, incredibly versatile. The ability to drag the map around changing the center is fun and much more convenient then waiting for Mapquest to reload the page. The simple "find pizzas near my house" type search is incredible too. So, the answer to your question is yes. This app IS groundbreaking enough to persuade people to switch.

Re:Quick review

[Anonymous Coward]

Ick, Map24 could not have a more bloated layout. I'd rather use Maquest.

Re:no workee for me - me too.

[Devi0s]

It wasn't working for me until I realized that I'd have to enable Javascript AND allow it to change images.

Re:Safari support

[molnarcs]

No, you are talking about beta software. Safari support will be there, and what they do doesn't screw anyone. What do you have in mind when talking about "not exactly cross platform"? Not exactly cross browser would be more accurate, were it not for the fact that we are talking about beta software that promises support for all major browsers.

This is nothing like MS not supporting png for instance, (or did not for a long time) forcing me to use crappy gif images for transparent logos and such. Therefore, MS screws me. It also screws many users, even without them noticing it. I have no problem with windows (I think it's not a bad desktop OS), I have a problem with the price tag, which is unrealistic IMHO. Part of the strategy of keeping that price tag is vendor lockin, which goes hand in hand with disregarding standards. GoogleMaps, a free service, supporting multiple browsers (and therefore: multiple platforms) is nothing like that. Who is exactly the victim of Google's practices?

Re:Will this bother some Privacy Fanatics ?

[Peyna]

Lord help us if the privacy fanatics ever get their hands on a phonebook and see all the privacy issues there.

Re:Scrolling only partially works

[The Cisco Kid]

As funny as this may be, it *would* be very handy if they supported a way of first printing the textual directions, and then using their interface to select and zoom views of discrete chunks of the 'directions', and then being able to cleanly print each view that you select (just the map, not the text again each time)

Re:backflips?

[hey!]

Well, sure, but that's just one point among many.

You put everything together, and creating a consistent cross browser experience with something that plays so many tricks with the browser is like jumping into a pool full of crap, swimming a lap, and coming out smelling like a rose.

Looked at one way, the application's features are rudimentary. Looked at another, the means used are pretty extraordinary.