Katelyn M. Thompson’s Blog

Came across this great article on 41Latitude which compares Google Maps’ labels (left) with Bing (right) and MapQuest. It’s interesting to compare the maps side to side. I strictly use Google Maps, for not only a better mapping service, but also because it’s just easier!

The author’s first hypothesis is that Google Maps has a lesser density of labels when compared to the other maps. However, when looking at the area shown above, Google had 86 city labels, Bing had 91, and MapQuest had 83. So that is not the reason for GMap’s superiority.

One of the 3 reasons Justin O’Beirne gives for the Google Maps’ legibility is the fact that they have non-opaque white outlines around the labels. The images below show Google Maps (left) and MapQuest.

As you can see, Yahoo!’s decision to allow background map information to remain visible underneath its city labels harms their overall legibility. Individual letters are broken up by other dark lines, forcing users to give a second look to many labels.

The second reason he gives is the greater number of “classes” of labels for cities. (Think CSS headings). Google maps has 4 different sizes of labels while Bing and MapQuest only have 3. The third reason he gives is the fact that the smaller labels are shown in a lighter color, which makes them fade slightly into the background.

Additionally, a few “tricks” are pointed out – not necessarily related to the labels – that help with Google Maps’ readability. The first is label decluttering around major metropolitan areas, basically smaller suburbs aren’t shown. Also, Google displays city markers further apart than Bing (not that it is moving cities, just that it is showing cities that are father apart from each other).

In conclusion, Google Maps is better. Although I guess I should say Bing has addressed some of the issues pointed out in the critique.

via ChartPorn

Here’s to a looooooooook at the movies [for those of you not from Western Mass this is a line from Sy Becker] of 2010. This infographic from xach.com shows the top grossing films in the box office from week to week.

via Cool Infographics

Google Books Ngram Viewer allows you to show the trend of words used in “lots of books”. It’s interesting to see trends in our society through books.

via FlowingData

Very Small Array has created a map of the United States which includes one of the suggested autocomplete phrases that comes up after typing in that state. It’s not clear if they were the first ones or specifically selected ones. The comments on the post indicate that a lot of people had different suggestions, but the idea is still really cool!

via FlowingData

I consider myself to be a sports fan. Basketball, however, isn’t one of my top sports to watch. BUT, I came across this really cool visualization done by NBAStuffer.com of the home and away games and the streak of them that the teams face. I wonder how this is determined and how it will effect the teams’ win/loss.

via ChartPorn

Over on YouFail they’ve illustrated some of the many hand signals in our culture.

In college we were required to take macro and micro economics. I really enjoyed the classes and the professor that I had for both of them. Came across this great S/D graph for Santas featured in Sketchy Santa: A Lighter Look at the Darker Side of St. Nick. However, instead of supply, they refer to the “sketch-i-ness” factor. As demand for Santas increase, the sketchiness of the Santas also increase.

…the number of Santas available and a parent’s desire to have their children see St. Nick in a timely manner, loosely determines the potential sketchiness of Santas in your area. As demand (D) increases, you can expect a corresponding increase in quantity (Q) or available Santas and the sketchiness (S) of any given Santa.

P.S. If you need a refresher on Supply & Demand curves, visit Mike On Ads

via SwissMiss

I am 18-24. I never had a smartphone. I spend most of my time on Twitter [Twidroyd]. I prefer Swype to a physical keyboard. I’ve spent $0 on Android apps. I have 90 apps (everything under the apps button). I’ve never made a purchase or payment on my phone. I play Solitare and Jewels.

Mobclix shows how I measure up:

via @KatieMartell

I’m sure we all have some crazy stories about customer service. Just last week I called Verizon Wireless and EA/Nintendo customer service and ended up solving the issues myself.

<rant> For VZWireless, I had a downloaded app hanging at the “Installing” phase on my phone for weeks. I called and the rep told me that the only thing I could do was factory reset my phone. Uh, NO THANKS! I decided to clear the cache of the “Market” app and whala, the app needed to be updated! The next was when I was trying to download some new songs for Rock Band 2. When I would go to purchase it would give me an error that I needed to call EA Support. Well I did, the guy there told me I needed to call Nintendo. While on hold with Nintendo (and whistling along to the Mario theme) I solved the problem by shutting off the console and turning it back on. Now why couldn’t the EA guy told me to try this??? </rant>

Well, not surprising, Verizon has the worst customer service among U.S. Mobile companies. Bank of America also ranks up there pretty high. Not surprising since I recently submitted a disputed charge (the supermarket double charged me). It was awarded, but then they credited my account twice! Which they then had to charge me my account once again. Why????

“A customer is the most important visitor on our premises. He is not dependent on us – we are dependent on him.” -Unknown

via The Infographics Showcase

Although I don’t do too much travel, and of late I’ve been quite loyal to JetBlue, I thought this infographic “Converging Flight Paths” from the NYTimes was pretty cool. Shows you where airlines have gone and how we’ve ended up with the airlines we’ve got. I’m also really surprised at how small JetBlue is, but Boston is one of their biggest hubs and I don’t believe they do a lot of international flights, so.

via Cool Infographics