Get mapping

In February, Google unfurled its latest big idea: an online map of the entire surface of the United States and Canada that you can search. Google Maps is simple, intuitive and free of charge. It links the mighty search engine to an inventory of postcode data, letting you scroll across almost an entire continent while searching for the nearest neighbourhood coffee shop. Americans can now use Google to search local, as well as global, net listings, and Google Labs' new RideFinder service even maps the location of moving taxi cabs.

Sadly, there are no plans to do the same to the streets of Europe just yet, but it could be just a matter of time. Not since the 16th century has the production and use of maps changed as rapidly as it is changing today. Real-time property information, the routing of business deliveries, and the technology underpinning 3G mobile services means it is boom time for cartographers. (Via Guardian)