topography

Intuitive quiz maker

Teach2000 is a basic program that lets users create custom quizzes to aid with learning new information. Although the program is nothing fancy, it works just fine for creating basic drilling exercises.

The program's interface is quite plain, with a tab for Input and another for Tests, along with a few buttons and menus across the top. Users simply enter their questions and answers on the Input tab and then use the Tests tab to quiz themselves. The program functions much like an electronic set of flashcards, letting users practice the same set of questions over and over again. … Read more

Quikmaps does what Google Maps failed to do

When Google launched its MyMaps feature last year I was pretty excited about the potential for creating things with it. Growing up in a house that required giving very complex directions because Mapquest would deliver people to the other end of our neighborhood I looked forward to making simple, personalized maps that could be shared easily. While the big G has done a great job adding a directory of special layers, the tools for creating your own maps have not seen that same advancement.

To answer that call Quikmaps, a third party tool that plugs into the same Google Maps data, is a far simpler solution letting you simply doodle on the map. In some cases this can be far more useful than Google's straight line tool like when you're creating turns and arcs (not all streets are straight). The best part is that the results will scale when you zoom in and out. Still included is a straight line tool, but between the two Google actually has a stronger effort since it shows the distance between each segment.

Map creations can be embedded, which I've done after the break. You can also share them via e-mail or with a simple URL.

[via Lifehacker]

Google Maps gets terrain maps, updated collaboration features

Google Maps has added a new view layer to its repertoire today. It's called terrain view, and as the name suggests, it lets you get a detailed look at natural geographical features, as well as man made ones, like buildings and landmarks. Unlike Google Earth, you can't zoom around and change eye level to see how high something is, but Google has provided some degree of rendering on the surface of the earth to give it a 3D look and feel.

While it lacks the flash and instant usefulness of Street View (Google's latest maps addition), terrain … Read more