Don't Back Down

I recently picked up a link to The Scene, and while the first episode wasn't all that great, I must say that the following ones have really picked up steam. Aside from a strange stretch, where Brian was asked about Coach Carter being released on the Internet and then two or three episodes later they were just getting it, it's a fun show. Very well written, especially seeing as how scripting 15-20 minutes of instant messaging can't be easy.

Anyway, I've finally caught up on all ten episodes, and so now I'm really jonesing for #11, which won't be out for three to four weeks. Guess I'll have to find something else to occupy my time. Anyone know of anything similar out there?

Every once in a long while, something really cool will come along and catch everyone by surprise. Google Maps is such a beast. The application in and of itself is simply awesome, and the surprise is that it's easily usable by just about anyone - you don't have to be a geek to appreciate it. Using some nice Firefox options, I make use of the application regularly.

But even those tweaks aren't the limit of what can be done. The Google Maps API allows you to build excellent interactive maps, such as this Boston Subway Station map. A free service called myGmaps allows any old tinkerer to set up their own maps, and the very sweet Gmap Extras script for Greasemonkey gives you some neat integrated functions like saved locations.

Update: And lest you think that's it, think again! The Find the Landmark site is a great geography game - though it helps to be able to rapidly maneuver through the country on the Google Maps! If that's not enough, check out the Google Maps Mania site, which has all sorts of fun stuff on a regular basis.

Update: Just installed the UPS Tracking script. At first, it didn't seem to work - but it does. It just adds an unobtrusive link to the appropriate Google map after the "Package Progress" line. Very cool.