I'm amazed at how many different ways poeple are using Google Maps to enhance their existing services or creating new ones that leverage the power of the Google Maps API. Instead of giving examples and talking about them, why not just check out this blog that has an extensive list of Google Maps "mashups".
Very recently I learned about a new plugin architecture that Rails supports which allows developers to easily develope plugins for the Rails framework. In the past, when developers wanted to introduce new functionality into Rails, they had to either create a "patch" and commit it using SVN or create a gem that you needed to download and install (much like how you install Rails itself.) The difference now is that there is a plugins folder within the vendor folder to hold all plugins and these plugins allow you to extend Rails beyond its core functionality.
I wasn't able to find any concrete documentation about this new feature (it isn't part of the stable release of Rails, but part of "Edge Rails" which can be obtained from the repository), but I did find this post by Jamis Buck (37signals team) which describes the process of Plugging into Rails.
Some publicly avaible Rails plugins announced in the Ruby on Rails mailing list:
Unfortunately, these plugins don't have official websites (yet), so the best way to learn about them and their usage is to try and search the Ruby on Rails mailing list archives.
UPDATE: I found the wiki page with a bunch of plugins that people have written so far. http://wiki.rubyonrails.org/rails/pages/Plugins
I recently found out about some cool GMail search keywords you can use to filter through your emails. I was always frustrated that I couldn't select all the unread emails I have within all my filters. Sure, I could click on All Mail and do it that way, but that it's very difficult to sort through emails that way. I found out about the is: command. Very handy and you can pass it all kinds of modifiers. Try this one out. is:unread
There's many more that I don't know about. Perhaps the GMail help section has a listing of all the possible commands and modifiers, but I don't like going through help pages. They should just have a little popup (not window, but a div/container) with all or the most common/useful commands.
Ok, so for the sake of my readers and because now I'm just curious, I went to the GMail help pages and found these other useful search filters.
Now if only GMail would add a delete or send to trash button! I hate using the drop down to delete emails I don't want.
Looking for a nice and simple color picker for your site/dashboard/konfabulator? Give ColourMod a try. Very clean design look and feel and it comes in the following flavors:
I started writing this really long blog entry about MSN Virtual Earth, but then Firefox crashed on me when I tried to use the "Locate Me by IP" feature. I had all these nice things to say about MSNVE, but then it crashed on me and I lost my post. I'm very upset now. But it's ok, I'll just summarize what I wrote and allow you to experiment with the site yourselves. (sigh..)
Ok, basically I was comparing the two services. I mentioned how they were very similar in their feature set. MSNVE copied all the cool features of Google maps. They have smooth, draggable maps. They have nice crisp and clear images. They even have a satellite view (although theirs is not in color for some reason.)
However, MSNVE decided to add some additional cool features. Some things that I've wanted from Google Maps for a while now. For one thing, MSNVE allows you to plot multiple addresses on the same map. I know you can do this using Google Map's API, but MSNVE allows you to do as part of the site. You don't need to mess with any API or create your own hacked version of it.
Another cool feature of MSNVE is the ability to search for any business and it will show up right on the map along with the rest of your previous searches. By default, when you search for an address (like your home), MSNVE will show you nearby pharmacies and bookstores. You can then search for other businesses or busines types, like Blockbuster.
The whole interface is pretty nice and intuitive. I haven't tried it in IE yet, but I'm sure it looks even better on IE. I'm pretty impressed by MSNVE and I hope that Google wakes up and starts improving their Google Maps (which I'm sure they are already doing.)
Note to Google: You made a big mistake in not hiring me to help out in the UI efforts! We could've had Google Maps 2.0 out by now! But NO... you decided not to hire me. Well, its too late now. I'm with someone else.
