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Who Makes MapQuest's Maps?
carpoolio writes "TechTV has an interesting story about the company that builds the mapping technology behind popular map services like Mapquest. The company, Navigation Technologies, is decidedly low-tech in its approach to making its maps: two people in a car drive around endlessly, inputting street information and landmarks into databases. Navtech's map databases are used in everything from Garmin GPS units to Alpine in-dash auto navigation systems. So next time you turn the wrong way down a one-way street, know that there are real people behind the controls."
IDK if I'm impressed by the level of misguided individualized attention or surprised that there isn't a wide network of volunteer contributors spread out over Northern America working to make a better web-based mapping tool on the fly using Wi-Fi technology integrated with GPS.
Hey, maybe I should patent that idea!
--When it's my time, I want to die in my sleep like my grandfather -- not screaming like all the passengers in his car