Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Maps #34

I actually was first introduced to the idea of geocaching when a patron wanted a book to read on the subject. He seemed very content as he left the library with his copies of Geocaching for Dummies and the Essential Handbook of Geocaching.

For our discovery exercise, I searched within a 10 mile radius of an area close to work (77375) and found a location at Epps and Pine Street. It was called the "Tomball Museum Center". The coordinates were: N 30° 05.989 W 095° 37.170
UTM: 15R E 247564 N 3332741.

The URL is:
tomball museum center

The only additional clue was that the cache was in the courtyard by the cabin in a tree.

This looks like such a fun place to explore, so I plan to visit this place when I get a chance. It has a lot of historical and educational value about the area.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Maps #33

Activity 1:
I actually used these websites when I was planning to relocate in October of last year. Apartments.com is my favorite. I found the satellite and hybrid views very useful so I could determine how close I would be to shopping, work and restaurants. The virtual view option is a helpful tool to see the grounds and inside the apartment layout before ever visiting a facility. My apartment complex has disability access and allows pets so it appeals to a greater population than some complexes.

I also have used apartmentratings.com to read the evaluations other renters made about the apartments where they lived. I have found and lived in 2 apt complexes using this website. I found the information to be quite accurate.

Walk Score is an interesting website and accurate as to the location and distance of all that is available from my apartment. However, since I am on a highway and it is under construction right now, it is somewhat unrealistic to think I would actually be able to walk to all the sites that were mentioned.

Activity 2:

I found a new apartment on Apartment.com. I liked Apartment.com better than Apartment finder. Apartment Guide shows a more limited number of apts specific to my area than the other 2 sites.

Our Town does not have my specific location listed; it has only Houston in general. It is not as helpful as Walk Score. Walk Score has: 8 grocery stores, 8 restaurants and coffee shops, 8 movie theatres, 1 daycare, 1 junior high, 1 high school, 1 elementary, l Christian school, 1 private school, 4 parks, 6 branch libraries and 8 bookstores. Most important of all, it showed me 8 clothing and shoe stores. Can't live without those!!!

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Maps #32

Activity #1: I loved the "100 things to do with Google Maps".
My search was in answer to the question: I need to know where all the libraries are close to my home. How do I find them? From the list, I chose Find a US or Canadian Library and searched by zip code. I found 20 libraries within a 50 mile radius from my home. I could really feed my reading habit with no challenge at all.


Activity #2: I have just finished reading a mystery that was about Buckingham Palace. I got really excited about the Terra Server website that allows aerial views of historic sights. I wanted to see Buckingham Palace via an aerial site, but either the site was down or not working well. It seems like a good idea, but was somewhat disappointing. For anyone interested, here is the website
Terra Server