There are a lot of uses for online geoservices. One of the most common is holiday planning.
The first step is scoping out the planned vacation spot to check details, like whether the hotel is as close to the beach as promised in the catalog; or how far away the next town is; or whether a six-lane highway happens to lead right past the hotel.
Even a simple camping trip can be planned via computer. Use Google Maps or Microsoft Bing to input a destination. Seconds later, a map, including surrounding areas, will pop up. A zoom function allows you to get as close or far away as you desire.
Google Maps’ satellite views can provide a first feel of the area surrounding a hotel or vacation house. Panorama shots in Google Street View can show more details of the surrounding area, though that’s only possible in cities like Paris, where the service is used. Bing also offers a bird’s eye view of sites, with plenty of detail.
And then there’s Google Earth, which can be used to plan trips away from cities. Its satellite photos show meadows, forests, rivers and lakes. It also displays geographical data for a location. Once that data is put into a navigation device, it can quickly lead a person there.