Maps #33: Relocating with Online Maps

ACTIVITY 1:

I choose the Apartment part of this activity because I already know about the House part. I still occasionally check out my neighborhood to keep track of values.

I searched for apartments in the 77062 area, the same zip as the Library. I found that using the radius search gives me more seletion that just seaching with in a zip code area. But the zip area nicely limits the selection if you don't have a vehicle. Most of the apartments I found listed handicap accessiblity. It was only a search criteria for one search service, the others needed a little digging.

I found 3 possible properties that I would consider. They were all listed on 2 of the 3 search services. I like that floor plans and pictures are available for viewing before you contact the management about availability. One service even connects you to the properties website ro more details.

I found that the hybrid map view was the most useful to me, especially when additional seaching(banks,stores,libraries)were an option. The plain street map was too sterile and the satellite view without street names was too busy. The combination gave a more realistic view.

This leads to ACTIVITY 2:

I like both Apartments.com and Apartment Guide with a leaning towards Apartment Guide. Apartment Guide has bigger maps. The maps also give more detail and more search options on what is nearby. That gives you a better idea on what is in the neighborhood.

The public library was only .31 miles from the property I choose . There were 3 pharmacies within half a mile, one inside of a grocery just across an intersection. There is an elementary school only 3 blocks away and a couple of daycares even closer. An auto repair center is .21 miles away. Several restaurants are within .5 miles, both fast food and sit down. A Metro Park & Ride is within a mile, easy walking distance to catch a bus downtown.

I like Apartment Guide, but might also check the other search services to compare total info. Not that I'm moving anytime soon, I too attached to what I currently have.

Maps #32: Current Events

ACTIVITY 1:

I looked through the list of "100 Things To Do With Google Maps" .

One hypothetical question that I could best answer through visualization is "What is my elevation above sea level?". Along the Texas gulf coast, this is a relevant question.

I used the Freeman Library again as a subject. I went to http://www.earthtools.org/ and found that if you were standing on the sidewalk in front of the library, you would be 10m above sea level. The latitude and longitude is 29.558°N 95.1196°W . Since the site also gives latitude and longitude, you know the height above sea level at that point. And since you can have a satellite view, you can make sure that the data is from the exact point you want. Pretty cool.


ACTIVITY 2:

Explore Global Incident Map , Terra Server, or National Atlas .

I looked at all three to see what they were about. Terra Server is pretty, but is a commercial enterprise. The Global Incident Map is flashy, but most of the "incidents" I looked at turned out to be nothing. Of course, I could have just looked at the wrong incidents.

National Atlas is intriguing and for the most part FREE. They provide printable PDF maps, but you can also order printed maps, if you want. I've been having fun with the Boundaries of the United States . I'll need to remember the Reference and Outline Maps of the United States the next time I get a reference question regarding U.S. maps. Yous can print either the entire U.S. or individual states. There are several printing options to choose from and you can always preview to make sure it is what you need. It was neat to see just the rivers & lakes of Texas without other map features.


Optional Bonus Activity: EarthNow Landsat Image Viewer

This is the coolest thing. The EarthNow Landsat Image Viewer lets you view footage from Landsat satellites, sometimes in REAL TIME. The site tells you what the day & time of the currently running pass. It also let's you know the time of the next live pass. Leave this running on your desktop & you are likely to return to someone staring at the satellite image passing by.

Maps #31: Have Map, Will Travel

I had trouble viewing the Google "Create a Map" tutorial at work, but was able to do so at home. I figured out how to create a map before viewing the tutorial and had fun. I decided to make a make of the places to eat around the library titled "Dining near Freeman Library". I figure this is an easy way for visitors to look at the food options nearby when they go to the Library for programs or training. Just do a Google map search for Freeman Library dining. Here it is embedded below:



View Larger Map


I'm not sure why the plaza is labeled Dickenson Shopping Center. I'll have too investigate and notify Google.

I think this is a good way to direct people to your house, though town from the airport, or just get info about places for yourself. I also made a note about the James Coney Isand being closed when I did the seach for restaurants near Freeman. I like how people are allowed to make comments or corrections(pending verification)to keep the maps current. Think about it - you were in the mood for coneys & search Google only to find the closed note. No wasted trip.

I have found Google & Yahoo to be simillar in looks for maps, but I'm still looking at all the features. I tend to use Yahoo over Mapquest because it seems to be better with keping current.

Spring Cleaning #30: Take a Load Off Our Drives

Keeping drives cleaned up and organized is a good thing. You always know where stuff is and that it is most current. I've started putting what I consider archive files on CD. The Archived files are ones that I don't need except as historical references. The files can be data from old programs as one example. You want to keep the numbers as reference, but it doesn't need to be on the shared drive. I think the oldest was more than 5 yrs old, but I did refer to it in 2008.

S: drive I've used this before when submitting files to be printed at Admin. I like that it is supposed to be self cleaning if you forget to delete your file when done.

P: drive This is nice because you can access it even while logged on to a branch or generic profile. You can have files that are shared for informational or cooperative reasons. e.g. The computer class schedule is in this folder but that flyer we are working on is in this one. Organization using folders is a great way to put like documents together - supplies, periodicals, second floor stuff. Folders help when you are searching for particular documents - it is in the 'Friends' folder in the subfolder 'price tags'- instead of searching through many documents. Be careful of duplication and do you really need a copy of that form when it is on Harriet?

I'm looking at what I've made to be sure it is current and and not extraneous. I might make suggestions to a coworker if some reorganization would help everyone see the folders/files more clearly.

Z: drive This is accessed only under my profile. I keep track of expense documents, time sheets and my training hours here. Timesheets are current and two past. Once I check the County records, I delete mine. Training is current & last years to be sure I don't repeat something. I think I keep this one pretty clean since it is just myself.

Spring Cleaning #29: Email

Email Accounts: I currently have 4 personal accounts, but don't use them all.

I have one with my ISP, but don't use that except with the ISP because ISPs can change.

I have an account I actually pay to use. It started out free, but I stuck with it because Yahoo was still new at the time. I use it for personal business dealings.

I have a Yahoo account that I use mainly for personal correspondence. I started it as a "throw away" account in case I had spam problems, but I have been lucky/diligent.

I recently set up a Gmail account in order to IM with my child. I'm currently looking at the Google Calendar as a possible family scheduling tool. I'll need to compare it to the Yahoo calendar, but so far G has better features.


Work email: I have 14 folders that I sort things I want to keep and be able to access via webmail. Some stuff just gets read & deleted, others get replies or some other action. One example: supply requests for my dept. are emailed to me and moved to the "supplies needed" folder. As I read them, I add to the supply order. I keep the requests untill the order comes in then delete them.

I keep my email display at 17 items per page and try to keep no more than 2 pages for Inbox. I like pages I can glance at to find a message for quicker action. I try to review the folders, all of them, each week to keep up on work stuff and clean out anything I missed before. Sometimes it is longer, but that feeling of organized Webmail is nice. My address book is updated regularly, when staff changes. The webmail is good about telling you when a message did not go through.

I occasionally get an email that is more to the personal side. It gets forwarded to my personal account, then deleted from inbox and sent mail immediately. I'm trying to keep the personal side organized too, but Yahoo touts that "umlimited storage". I wonder how far people have gone....?

Spring Cleaning #28: Don’t Clutter Up Expensive Cyberspace

Getting Things Done. I've actually read the book. I understand how things can be easier following the process: Collect, Process, Organize, Review and Do. I'm working on the first four, but sometimes it can be difficult due to number 5: Do. There are times it seem all I am is Doing and the the other 4 fall the wayside. You now the saying "a messy desk is the sign of a busy mind(person)"? Some times I feel that is the case, but I keep trying and even succeeding in getting it done and organized.

Mostly I try to prioritize what is needed most or soonest, then act on it. If an item is not an immediate concern, I make sure to still keep it available for review or action if time becomes available. In this job, I have learned to be flexible, because you never know when the next "crisis" may pop up. It may look like I carry the same pile of papers around, but what is in the pile always changes. (my do this next stuff)

I've looked at the Google Calendar and like the feature of multiple calendars and allowing others to modify only certain calendars but not others. It could be handy at home if I could get others to post their appointments also.

That's one "fun" thing about organizing - you are not alone at home or work and it helps if everyone tries to consistent in some manner.

Sound: #27: Creating Your Own Podcast

This was not required, but I took up the challenge. I wonder how many others did the same. Gabcast makes it real easy. You don't need to have a recording device for he PC, just phone it in!

Take a listen to mine here

Gabcast! Sound: #27: Creating Your Own Podcast #1