Maps & Directions in Your Firefox Sidebar

This article was written on September 17, 2007 by CyberNet.

Google Maps Sidebar for Firefox
Click to Enlarge

I find myself frequently mapping sites to figure out how to get from point A to point B, and today I’ve got an extension that will speed up the process even more. The extension is called Minimap Sidebar Extension, and it’s entire purpose is make viewing a map an unobtrusive and efficient process.

After installing the extension I found a site that had an address listed, and then dragged it over into the "drop zone" located in the sidebar. From there it mapped the address, and in just a few clicks I could get directions to that location. And you don’t have to worry about which mapping service it uses because it supports all of the big ones out-of-the-box: Google, Yahoo!, and Windows Live Local.

Here’s a list of the features it has:

  • Drag and drop addresses, KML files (for Google Earth), or links that you want to be mapped
  • Maps can be open in the sidebar or in a new tab
  • Stores a list of addresses for future access
  • Get the coordinates of a map
  • Embed the map
  • Automatically discover geoURL’s and in-line geotags
  • Three views: Map, Satellite or Hybrid
  • Works with Google, Yahoo!, and Windows Live Local mapping services to get directions to/from an entry and/or set a locally stored ‘Home Address’

This extension is really only for people who use maps frequently…if you hardly map anything you’ll probably forget to use the extension the few times it would probably come in handy. One thing that came to mind when seeing this is that it would really be useful when planning out vacations and looking for hotels/attractions.

Minimap Sidebar Extension [via Google Operating System]

Copyright © 2014 CyberNetNews.com

Microsoft’s Plans to Take On Flickr

This article was written on November 12, 2007 by CyberNet.

windows live vs flickr A new Microsoft job advertisement gives us a glimpse into Microsoft’s plans to take on Flickr- yes, they’re moving on to photos! You can’t tell me that you didn’t know this was coming given that Microsoft already took on YouTube (or tried to) with Soapbox. Flickr has become one of the more popular photo solution on the web that it only makes sense that Microsoft would try their hand at this too. This time around though, I think if they do it right and spend some quality time developing it, they can make an awesome web-based photo solution that works seamlessly with the Windows Live Photo Gallery and Windows in general.

Here’s what part of the job description reads for a Program Manager:

Come make Windows Live the best place to share your digital memories! Heard of Flickr? YouTube? How about. Mac? This role will work across the new Windows Live division with teams like Spaces, SkyDrive, Messenger and Hotmail to construct a winning strategy for Microsoft in photo and video sharing. This role involves leading the team to design the strategy then build and implement a winning solution that will be loved by millions of customers. This feature team is building a next-generation photo and video sharing service that will compete with Flickr, Smugmug and other photo web solutions today. This is a “v1″ opportunity.

While I was snooping around the Microsoft Careers site, I came across yet another job ad that tells us that Microsoft is serious about this.  The job was posted back on June 20th and reads:

Do you love photos and videos? Want to help people connect and share memories? Then help us build the next generation solution for sharing photos and videos. The Windows Live Digital Memories team (DMX) is looking for Software Development Engineers in Test to drive quality in our products, processes and tools.

The main difference with this job advertisement is that Microsoft didn’t come out and say that they were looking to compete with Flickr like they did with the more recent ad we listed first. If Microsoft happened to come out with a top-notch photo and video sharing service, do you think they’d have a chance at taking on Flickr and others who’ve established themselves? Or once again, would they entering the scene a little too late?

Source: I Started Something

Copyright © 2014 CyberNetNews.com

Microsoft job posting hints at Connected Car strategy: Azure, Kinect and WP8

microsoft-job-posting-connected-car-azure-kinect-wp8

Redmond seems to have more grandiose ideas for Connected Car than it’s let on before, judging from a recent help wanted ad on its site. Reading more like PR for its car-based plans, the job notice waxes poetically about using “the full power of the Microsoft ecosystem” in an upcoming auto platform with tech such as Kinect, Azure, Windows 8 and Windows Phone. Those products would use face-tracking, speech and gestures to learn your driving habits and safely guide or entertain you on the road, according to the software engineer listing. It also hints that everything would be tied together using Azure’s cloud platform, so that your favorite music or shortcuts would follow you around, even if you’re not piloting your own rig. All that makes its original Connected Car plans from 2009 seem a bit laughable — check the original video for yourself after the break.

Continue reading Microsoft job posting hints at Connected Car strategy: Azure, Kinect and WP8

Microsoft job posting hints at Connected Car strategy: Azure, Kinect and WP8 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Jun 2012 12:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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