Software

Photos: Cartography in the Internet era

By // July 18, 2006, 8:44 AM PST // billdetwiler

Image 1 of 5

  • Tele Atlas provides data to companies involved with digital mapping and the like, such as Yahoo and Google. The information is used to ensure that maps are accurate and up to date. This Tele Atlas van is equipped with six video cameras on top and three servers inside for recording and storing street names and other data.

    Elinor Mills, CNET Networks

  • A view of the inside of the van reveals three custom-built computers with 3GHz IBM Pentium 4s; an Omnistar global positioning system unit; a heating unit for the video cameras; and an external hard drive for data backup.

    Elinor Mills, CNET Networks

  • Putting the streets of San Francisco in their proper place.

    Elinor Mills, CNET Networks

  • Tele Atlas local data collector Luca Comi operates the computer system that shows video camera shots of streets.

    Elinor Mills, CNET Networks

  • It's not clear whether this unfortunate, tire-changing cabbie will be noted on a Yahoo or Google map, but he could be if necessary. For the record, the poor fellow carried out his grim task here.

    Elinor Mills, CNET Networks

Related Topics:

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Tele Atlas provides data to companies involved with digital mapping and the like, such as Yahoo and Google. The information is used to ensure that maps are accurate and up to date. This Tele Atlas van is equipped with six video cameras on top and three servers inside for recording and storing street names and other data.

Elinor Mills, CNET Networks

About Bill Detwiler

Bill Detwiler is Managing Editor of TechRepublic and Tech Pro Research and the host of Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show. Prior to joining TechRepublic in 2000, Bill was an IT manager, database administrator, and desktop supp...

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