What can you use the application for?
Maps.ask.com is an online mapping service that is provided by Ask.com. There is no need to install any software to use ask maps, Ask Maps provides good quality satellite imaginary directly to the web browsers. Its unique multipoint directions and dynamic location feature make it stand out of the budding crowd of various online mapping services. The window consists of two panes; the right pane consists of the map with different views like map and satellite. While the map view shows the linear map of an area, the Satellite view shows the satellite imagery. The traffic feature shows the traffic concentration of various streets across the map. Other options like ‘Print’, ‘Link’, ‘Email’ and ‘Help’ are also available on the right pane for printing and getting a link or e-mail link to the map. The left pane consists of options to get directions on the map. Left pane of Ask Maps can be minimized by a simple click on the middle divider. Ask maps also features keyboard hotkeys for effective map browsing. With its AJAX interface, it was never easier to find directions. Like many other mapping services Ask Maps lets its users find an address through a single text field only. Airport codes and simple text like “Utah to California” can also be used in the text field to find a location. Ask Maps has a Multipoint driving directions feature which lets its users know the directions to at most 10 places at once. With Auto drive feature a user can watch an animation from the current selected location to the destination to have a general idea of the route. To avoid confusions on the way, users can click pause at anytime to stop the animation and view a point on the map in detail. Ask Maps is an intelligent service that can be used to have a no-frills online mapping experience. With its unique path breaking features Ask maps looks sure to make an impact.
What is the history and popularity of the application?
Maps.ask.com (Ask Maps and Directions) is the product of Ask.com, best-known from the search engine. This search engine was originally founded as Ask Jeeves in the year 1996; later, in February 2005 it was renamed to Ask.com. With its innovative technology and bevy of features, Ask Maps attracts many visitors.
What are the differences to other applications?
Although other mapping applications such as Google Maps, Windows Live, and Yahoo maps beta also offer good mapping capabilities, Maps.ask.com provides images that are virtually rich and display vibrant colors. Even though, the zooming abilities of maps.ask.com are equally good, it offers better image rendering and good pixel control. Ask Maps gives worthy competition to other applications but there are some apparent errors that can easily be noticed.
How does the application look and feel to use?
With reference to the look and feel of Ask Maps, its home page truly reflects the purpose of the application. The site is pretty clean and no extra efforts have been put to overpopulate the website with needless advertisements and text. The logo of the website is innovatively designed and the use of white background with marginal utilization of other bright colors is soothing to the eyes. The site comes across with smooth navigation process which is lucrative and easily understandable.
How does the registration process work?
Even though for using its services, Ask Maps does not require the users to be registered with it, one can easily get registered to build up a personal profile and save preferences on the site. The registration process does not take much time and requires information like email address, password and nickname. A user should be at least of age group of over 13 years.
What does it cost to use the application?
It does not cost a single penny to users to enjoy Ask Maps services as they are absolutely free. The site does offer Ask Sponsored Listing (ASL) Account for its marketing partners. It offers two marketing plans for its advertising partners i.e., The Easy Access Plan for those having a budget of $6000 a month or less and The Advanced Plan for those who can afford a monthly marketing budget of more than $6000.
Who would you recommend the application to?
On the adaptability front, Ask Maps does not require much of an effort on the part of its users. It is used by millions of users to find exact a location on the virtual screen. With its easy to use features and efficient design, it can be recommended to anybody who wishes to find locations with ease.
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