distancefromto.net
Distancefromto is a simple and easy to use Google Maps application that measures distance between two locations on a map. Distance is measured on the fly in miles and kilometers by dynamically dragging markers to desired locations or typing in locations names for the from and to inputs. The application comes with an inbuilt geocoder, so do not limit yourself to places that are well known to the masses..
Thank the Google Maps team!!!
Now, we get to see impressive street view sights in full-screen. I believe its even more eye-catching and stunning navigating around in full-screen if you got a sizeable lcd monitor.
User taken photos of the location are also available for viewing in full-screen.
Launch street view in full-screen by clicking 
at the top right corner of the map viewer.
Check out the Roman Colosseum in full-screen
Here’s a post from GeoChalkboard explaining by way of examining a simple application that displays geologic points of interest from around the state of Texas available in an XML file format.
The tutorial highlights the usage of two methods (GXmlHttp and GDownloadUrl) provided by the Google Maps API to read XML files.
Lat long coordinates and information associated with each point of interest are read from the file and markers are generated with location information being displayed via an information window.
If you are just beginning to create Google Map mashups and looking for some simple examples on using XML files and the maps API, check out my previous posts.
Here’s a second post in the Most Wired series posts. Forbes reports the 30 Most Wired Airports in the world, based on three criteria: the passenger traffic in 2007, the breadth and cost of wi-fi access in the airport and availability of facilities such as seating, electrical outlets and wired access.
A Google Map of airport rankings is available here.
Tiny Geo Coder is an easy, simple to use geocoding website. All that is required is an address and a click to retrieve the location’s geographical coordinates (lat, lng) along with a google static map with the location marked on it.
The site also mentions about a geocoding API with no authentication. Its pretty simple,
http://tinygeocoder.com/create-api.php?q=Fairfax,VA and you get the result,
38.851531,-77.298167
Surprisingly, its Atlanta. This is the result of a survey by Forbes.com for the Most Wired Cities in America for the year 2008. It is mentioned that their calculations were based on three factors – the percentage of Internet users with high-speed access, the number of service providers within the city and availability of public wi-fi hotspots.
Although Atlanta tops the list in the number of users with high-speed net and service providers, its Portland, Oregon that is equipped with the most public wireless hotspots.
Here’s a google map put together from results of the survey.
