Mess
Maybe it's because we play pirate as kids (at least here in North Carolina, we do), or maybe we just like holding a piece of paper with all the answers, but people really seem to love maps. Perhaps if I ever get around to reading "Longitude" or "The Island of Lost Maps," which has been sitting on my night table for about a year now, I'd have more insight into this phenomenon. All I know is that it's out there and it's real.
And what with Google Earth, Yahoo! Maps and more traditional forms of computerized mapping, maps are proliferating on the Internet. People are even creating "mashups," combinations of mapping applications and other data such as satellite photos, to create new, interesting content.
Duke Power has gotten into the game with this map showing where its power outages from Thursday's ice storm are located. I'm sure it's very helpful ... if you have power.
