When Will the Google Madness Stop?!?!

Google Search....Gmail....iGoogle....Google Earth....Google Toolbar....Google Talk....Google Docs....YouTube....Lively....the list goes on and on and on and, well, you get the picture. And now, Google offers Google Walking Maps. These are essentially walking directions on the already existent Google Maps. You will get step-by-step directions for the section of your trip you wish to take on foot. The map will also point out public transit in the area. There are a few kinks that have yet to be ironed out, so this initial release is considered a "beta". For instance, the maps do not show whether or not a sidewalk is available. "Pedestrian Pathways" are also not as easily and readily documented and, therefore, are not all indicated on the maps.

Ask.com previously offered walking direction services but has recently suspended this service. No other competitors (e.g., Yahoo and Microsoft) provide walking maps. Once again, Google strikes early while the iron is hot.

Going Virtually Global.... 3D

Since Google Earth came to being, it has grown to include things such as panoramic photos, Wikipedia factoid pop-ups, virtual travel itineraries, 3D renderings and all kinds of other geographic Easter eggs. But how do you find all of these things? If you are already a gamer, then you have no problem swooshing around Google Earth with your mouse and keyboard to find all of the hidden treasures that abound. For those that find themselves a bit more technologically challenged in this arena, there is a nifty new little gadget out there called the SpaceNavigator to assist you. The SpaceNavigator is not a mouse or a joystick. Want to go a little further? Download the plugin for SpaceNavigator that allows you see real time flight traffic for many airports. It even has hourly photos of planes that are in the air (with a U.S. arrival or departure). Downside.... it's just a viewer - you can't edit anything - and it isn't yet compatible with Macs. But for all of you PC users out there, it sounds like a fun new toy to play with for only $60.

Political Social Networking

The Obama presidential campaign has been utilizing the technology of social networking on its website to capture the interests and opinions of America's Millenium Generation voters. MyBarackObama is a networking forum where members may join interest groups, post messages, write blogs, etc. It was initially created for Obama supporters to meet in a virtual location and share their views. But what happens when those who oppose Obama decide to crash the party? This is what we're finding out through the networking group on MyBarackObama specifically formed to get Sen. Obama to oppose the FISA bill he endorsed in June. 24 hours after the group was formed, membership was at 500. Today, the group boasts over 16,000 members and is growing by the hour. So Sen. Obama may find himself in a catch 22. His campaign created this tool to give the people the ability to take an active part in the creation of their presidential candidate and his platform. Now it appears to have come up and bitten him from behind.