Map Machine
Map Machine
Grades: 9+ | Subject(s): All | Overall rating: 8
Map Machine is a resource similar to Google Maps or Map Quest provided through National Geographic. Many of the maps and images include the Bing logo, and this sours my opinion of this site already. When you enter the site, you can enter a key word or address, and an image will appear either in map or satellite view. I started my review by typing my home street address. The satellite image was older on this site as well; however, it was after the grading for our home renovations had started. You can even see where the roll-off dumpster was placed in our yard for the construction crew. The image was more up-to-date than the one displayed on the Map Quest site; however, it was probably taken around January 2012. After I searched for my home address, I searched for the "Eiffel Tower" and was presented with a stunning birds-eye view of the location with the option to also view a street map view and a satellite view of the surrounding area.
Another interesting feature of Map Machine is its "America's Best Adventures" section. When you enter this section of the site, you are presented with an interactive map of the US decorated with blue and red dots. If you click a dot, you can view possible adventures. Within this section, users could explore these different adventure locations, view videos, images, or articles about the location, and my favorite feature, you could put together a virtual puzzle of images from the location.
Another interesting section of the site was called "Your Shot." In this section, users could upload personal photos taken around our world, tag them, and share them with the world. Many stunning images can be found within this section. Users can also comment, share, and embed the photo.
I rated this site an 8. Although the images and interactive features (puzzle and adventure map) were impressive, I feel Google Earth or Google Maps would be a better option over the Bing maps.
Source:
National Geographic Map Machine. (2014). Retrieved November 1, 2014 from http://maps.nationalgeographic.com/map-machine.
Grades: 9+ | Subject(s): All | Overall rating: 8
Map Machine is a resource similar to Google Maps or Map Quest provided through National Geographic. Many of the maps and images include the Bing logo, and this sours my opinion of this site already. When you enter the site, you can enter a key word or address, and an image will appear either in map or satellite view. I started my review by typing my home street address. The satellite image was older on this site as well; however, it was after the grading for our home renovations had started. You can even see where the roll-off dumpster was placed in our yard for the construction crew. The image was more up-to-date than the one displayed on the Map Quest site; however, it was probably taken around January 2012. After I searched for my home address, I searched for the "Eiffel Tower" and was presented with a stunning birds-eye view of the location with the option to also view a street map view and a satellite view of the surrounding area.
Another interesting feature of Map Machine is its "America's Best Adventures" section. When you enter this section of the site, you are presented with an interactive map of the US decorated with blue and red dots. If you click a dot, you can view possible adventures. Within this section, users could explore these different adventure locations, view videos, images, or articles about the location, and my favorite feature, you could put together a virtual puzzle of images from the location.
Another interesting section of the site was called "Your Shot." In this section, users could upload personal photos taken around our world, tag them, and share them with the world. Many stunning images can be found within this section. Users can also comment, share, and embed the photo.
I rated this site an 8. Although the images and interactive features (puzzle and adventure map) were impressive, I feel Google Earth or Google Maps would be a better option over the Bing maps.
Source:
National Geographic Map Machine. (2014). Retrieved November 1, 2014 from http://maps.nationalgeographic.com/map-machine.