Edit Google Map Pointers
If you're a regular Google Maps user like me then you've no doubt noticed that the address location markers don't always poing exactly where they should. I use Google Maps all the time to find my way to a new client's location. There's a lot of back country hollows and rural dales around here so it's so much easier to have a map to go with the client's directions to their place.
It would be even better if the map could be counted on to point at the right spot.
Now as I read that sentence I realize how Star-Trek it sounds. It's amazing how quickly we humans can start to take for granted the amazing services we get from the internet and GPS devices and so on. Shoot; I remember calling -- with the telephone! -- to the Triple-A to request a "Triptik" -- a book of maps from point A to point B across country. Now you just go online to Google or Maps.live.com or any of a handful of other places and get a map in seconds.
Anyway; the online maps are pretty cool but they aren't always exactly spot on when it comes to pointing at a precise address. So now Google has added the ability to actually edit the online maps and satellite images to adjust the pointers to the correct spot. As long as your edit is within 200 meters of where they estimated it to be then they'll take your edit and update the online map with it. Wow.
It couldn't be simpler to do, too. Start by searching Google maps for an address as you usually would.
The map will appear with a pointer at the estimated location for the address. If the position of the pointer isn't close enough to be useful to you or to other searchers, then do this:
- Look for and click the new "Edit" link in the lower left corner of the label ballon for the map pointer.
- If the label balloon is closed or isn't showing, then click on the pointer itself to make the label balloon appear.
- Now click the "Move Marker" link that appears in the balloon.
- "Grab" the pointer with your mouse and move it to the correct location.
- Notice the "X" that move with it and use that to locate the pointer correctly.
- Click "Save" to save the new location.
- Watch for the confirmation message that your location change has been saved. (Sometimes the Google map server is busy and it will take a second try to save the change.)
That's it! The next time that anyone searches for that exact address they will, thanks to you and Google, get the correct information and directions. Swell.
Pair Your HS850 Bluetooth Headset
I got a new phone the other day and found that I'd forgotten how to pair up my Motorola HS-850 headset.
(Naturally, the little how-to booklet had been hanging around for nearly two years and finally got chucked just a few weeks ago. "... you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone.")
So; for the next time this happens to you or to me, here are the instructions for pairing your Motorola bluetooth and phone.
- Make sure that your headset and phone are both charged Bluetooth headset into pairing mode.
- Check that the Bluetooth feature on your phone is turned on. Look in the "Settings" menu on the phone to find it. The Bluetooth power must be set to ON position to pair the device.
- Start with your headset powered off and the boom mic closed.
- Press & hold the multifunction button on the headset until you see a solid blue light. Then...
- Release the button and immediately open the headset boom.
(The headset indicator should remain on. If it doesn't start this part over at step 3.)
- Your headset is now in pairing mode and waiting to for a pass from your handset.
- Now; on your phone go back to the Bluetooth settings and select the options to "pair with" or "find" or "add a new device." Press the buttons to make it do that and in a few seconds you should see the name of your headset -- like "Motorola HS850" -- show on your phone.
- Scroll to the name of your headset in the bluetooth device list and click "OK" to accept this device.
Your phone will now ask for the passkey to the headset. Usually this is "0000" (four zeros). Enter the passkey
and click "OK".
Your phone should now display a message about being "Connected..." to your headset.
All done! Life is good.
Posted November 12, 2007 Permalink
