Getting From Here to There

Google Maps - Issues? Here's a suggestion.

There's a lot to love about Google, even though it's size makes us nervous. I've been greatly impressed with Google Maps. It was exciting to be able to switch between satellite view and graphic maps. When we got "street view" I was blown away.

But my neighborhood? We've had some major building changes and there are little problems like a private, gated road I keep being routed through and an unmarked one way street.

Google has contracted with a Belgian company called Tele Atlas Global Crossroads. Tele Atlas insists that you make any changes yourself through an automated correction engine. You have to figure our the system and make one correction at a time. But my neighborhood has too many errors to fix that way and, well, you know, I'm not on their payroll. I should have dropped it right there.

But I had spent time on the ground confirming what street signs said and so forth. I wanted to send Tele Atlas an email and let a professional map corrector take care of my neighborhood. Their website says, "Our contact information is organized by country, so you can find the nearest Tele Atlas representative able to serve your specific needs. If you’re not sure whom to contact, call or email the headquarters nearest you. Simply select your region in the menu to the right." But there are no email addresses on the site.

I called Tele Atlas in Boston 1 800 331 7881. The first time I got automated out of the system. When I called again I stayed on the line through the menu, twice, and reached an operator who gave me an email address. Whew!

I sent my email. It will be interesting to see if any of the needed changes are made.