This message was forwarded to Maps-L by Larry Cruse.--------Johnnie
 
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----------------------------Original message----------------------------
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 27 Mar 1995 23:24:25 -0500
From: Adam M Gaffin <[log in to unmask]>
To: Multiple recipients of list CARR-L <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Possible online source of maps
 
The Census Bureau is apparently experimenting with putting their TIGER
maps (which show the location of every street in the country) online via
the Web.  They have Washington, D.C. and New York online and the Boston
area seems to be quite well represented.  This could turn out to be
another way to get locator maps for plane crashes, multi-car pile-ups,
disgruntled postal workers run amok and the like (oh, reporters are such a
cheery lot).
 
The URL is http://tiger.census.gov/cgi-bin/mapbrowse
 
When you connect, you'll see a GIF map of Washington, D.C., along with a
search form for putting in a specific latitude and longitude (the latitude
has to be a negative number).  Once you get the area map, you can zoom in
repeatedly until you get the specific neighborhood you're looking for, as
well as move to adjacent maps by clicking on some arrow icons.
 
Big disadvantage (besides having to know the latitude and longitude of a
particular place) is that none of the roads are actually identified, so you
may still have to sit there with a road atlas to try to figure out exactly
what you're looking at (not that that's a problem for us Bostonians, since a
fundamental rule of Boston driving is that the road you're on never has a
sign to identify it).
 
Adam Gaffin
[log in to unmask] / (508) 820-7433
The big dummy behind "Everybody's Guide to the Internet"