father lost in Oregon...

[Dr T Non-Fan]

This is pretty tragic, but I have questions:
1. People trust mapquest that much??
2. Should mapquest suggest to its users to check with the local yokels about road conditions or recent issues about the roads?
3. Should it suggest to check for weather conditions about specific roads?
4. Should mapquest be expected to keep up-to-date on every single road in the country?

This link does not discuss mapquest, but I read this morning that he had used mapquest.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16070337/

Ah: LA Times link:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationwo...la-home-nation
It's page 3 of 3.

[Tybo]

Mapquest should not have to suggest to check for weather conditions.

[Loner]

Well, couldn't the same thing have happened with paper maps? It's not like they tell you which roads tend to get closed.

[Pseudolus]

I know that every time I do a Google map there's a disclaimer about how roads can change, that... well, why don't I just look up what it actually says.

Originally Posted by Google at the end of every set of driving directions

These directions are for planning purposes only. You may find that construction projects, traffic, or other events may cause road conditions to differ from the map results.

I know I wouldn't trust an automatically computed route to take me through the middle of freaking nowhere, especially at a time of year when weather conditions might make for trouble (summer in the desert, winter in the mountains, etc.).

Some paper maps I've used (for an Oregon trip) noted that certain roads are closed during certain time periods. It would be a nice feature to have on computer-generated maps, but I don't think anyone should be held liable for not having it.

[Pseudolus]

Originally Posted by Loner

Well, couldn't the same thing have happened with paper maps? It's not like they tell you which roads tend to get closed.

I think the difference is that a paper map doesn't give a direct answer to "how should I get from pt A to pt B?", which Google/Mapquest do. I think that the computer maps are more likely to give naive travellers a false sense of security. (Which is IMO the fault of the travellers and not the mapping services, but still happens.)

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Originally Posted by Loner

Well, couldn't the same thing have happened with paper maps? It's not like they tell you which roads tend to get closed.

Many do, actually. I know of maps of California that routinely note that the pass from Yosemite down to Lee Vining is closed in winter.

Here, from Google, I'm referring to The 120, or, as non-So-Cal's like to say, "California State Route One-Hundred and Twenty." (So quaint, that accent.)
http://www.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en...,0.925598&om=1

Google doesn't note it. Rand McNally online maps cost money, though.

[Maine-iac]

CNN says they were using paper maps but says it isn't clear if they were using the Oregon DOT map, which says that the road is closed in the winter, or the Rand McNally map, which doesn't say that.

Of course CNN isn't the most accurate source in the world.

Still, MapQuest or paper, a map is just a map. The fault seems to lie with the poor guy's imprudence and perhaps poor signage indicating road closures, not with the map makers.

Hope they find him though. The news is saying that the searchers have latched onto a trail that the guy seems to have been leaving behind him, but that fog is a problem.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Originally Posted by Pseudolus

I think the difference is that a paper map doesn't give a direct answer to "how should I get from pt A to pt B?", which Google/Mapquest do. I think that the computer maps are more likely to give naive travellers a false sense of security. (Which is IMO the fault of the travellers and not the mapping services, but still happens.)

I agree, but the lawsuit can easily be won. (Which bothers me to no end.)

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Originally Posted by Maine-iac

Hope they find him though. The news is saying that the searchers have latched onto a trail that the guy seems to have been leaving behind him, but that fog is a problem.

It was said on local news that he has some survival knowledge.

Simple "Stick to the road, stay clear of the Moors" should do it.

[mlschop]

This is the first time a story like this has actually had an effect on me. I listen to CNET.com podcasts (watch vidcasts) so I'm familiar with James Kim. It's strange...cuz you kinda think of these podcast hosts as "celebrities," but most of them are just doing their jobs like you and me...

Being that he's in the tech world, he probably takes technology for granted - assuming it "just works."

I just hope they find him alive...