This is a Journal entry by AlexAshman

Virtual Researcher

Post 1

AlexAshman


I'm working on sub-editing Bluebottle's Isle of Wight coastal path entries and, as usual, I'm fact checking an awful lot to try and ensure the route is correct. Now, Ordnance Survey maps are great, but say I want to check whether a certain route is signposted at the roadside - I head into Google Streetview and wander around on there. And then it dawns on me - I'm doing exactly what DNA predicted. I'm researching the real universe using a virtual one that someone kindly built, so that I never have to leave my office. I wonder how far this might go.

(I suppose we might just rely on the interconnectedness of all things, eh? smiley - clown)

Tufty smiley - smiley


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Post 2

Galaxy Babe - eclectic editor

Bluebottle did the research, you are the sub-ed. You're putting "the Book" together, is how I see it.

My son yesterday at Christmas lunch only put his new mobile phone down to pick up his knife and fork. He was telling his girlfriend everything that was going on and also posting on Facebook. If we'd been in a restaurant, someone else in the same place may have been reading it and realised we were there also, and approached us to introduce themselves. It dawned on me that that was also a prediction of how h2g2 would work by DNA. Soon we will all be attached/linked by one medium or another, if we aren't already.

Felicitationssmiley - xmastreeTuftysmiley - mistletoesmiley - smooch

GB
smiley - galaxysmiley - diva


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Post 3

Icy North

I love Streetview - it's my favourite Google product, and I use it all the time (mostly working out where offices are where I might work, train or have interviews). Like you, I've also used it for scouting out places to walk from.

It's a shame that Google's odd behaviour has caused many countries not to take it up. I think those populations would find it very useful. Some countries do have it, though. I've often spent a happy hour browsing through the streets of Mexico or Japan - places I'll probably never visit.


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Post 4

AlexAshman


Happy Boxing Day smiley - smileysmiley - xmastree

It's a shame that misanthropy keeps people from sharing information that would bring people together. Yes, you could have your house on Streetview, talk about your plans for a drink on Twitter and then publicly 'check in' to the local pub on Facebook, but would your PC still be there when you got home? smiley - thief


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Post 5

I'm not really here

Yes, because most burglars are out burglaring the big houses with valubles in them. Not interested in my crappy house!


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Post 6

AlexAshman


smiley - laugh Good thing that, since you're off on 'holiday' soon smiley - ok


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Post 7

I'm not really here

ooh yes, must get some insurance! It ran out early last year and hadn't renewed it...


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Post 8

AlexAshman


Glad to be of service...


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Post 9

Bluebottle

(Better late than never commentsmiley - winkeye)

It took me 4 days to walk around the Island, how long did it take you to do the research to check what was correct.

And how much was I wrong?

<BB<


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Post 10

AlexAshman


Probably not four whole days, but a decent amount of time. Most of it was accurate, but there was the odd bit that could be expanded or reworded. smiley - ok


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Post 11

Bluebottle

They're now on the front page! Thanks for your help with this - you know that you've now only got 1 more edited article than me.smiley - winkeye

<BB<


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Post 12

AlexAshman


smiley - cool You know I could use a kick up the backside to get writing articles again. smiley - smiley


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Post 13

Malabarista - now with added pony

smiley - eureka You've given me an idea what to do with myself today.

(I have a monster cold, and the only work I could do at home depends on a web system that is down - yay me, day off to write something!)

Any ideas where we have glaring gaps in the guide?


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Post 14

bobstafford

Yes Mal

A64818192 a list here


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Post 15

Vip

Perhaps the Challenge forum at A1293365?

smiley - fairy


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Post 16

Malabarista - now with added pony

Oooh, thanks, I'll take a look. Think I e-mailed my own list to myself, too smiley - run


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