The definition of a "Killer Application" or "Kill App" is any program or service that is extremely useful. In time, one can even say that life before the Killer App was available is unimaginable, such is the genius and usefulness of the application in question. Throughout the history of computers and the internet, Killer Apps have been the minority. Of course, the precise logic of computer science has brought to the masses window oriented operating systems, search engines, web browsers: all killer apps that have dramatically changed the way we work, experience, and play with computers.

In my opinion, I believe one of the most ingenious pieces of code, and thus a killer app, to hit the web are the various driving direction services. There's MapQuest, Google Maps, Yahoo! Maps and many more. What these web services allow one to do is type in a starting and ending address, and with the tap of your mouse, a detailed navigational map along with driving instructions is presented to you, underscoring the shortest route that will get you from point A to point B. By utilizing these directional services, you'll won't need to fumble around with a physical paper map--is it even possible to fold one of these behemoth blankets while driving?--as printing your directions from the website is a snap, eliminating all the extraneous routes and thus concentrating on the exact route information that pertains to your ultimate destination.

Highway Phobia

Have an acute fear of traveling on highways? No problem. Some of the directional websites have a "Avoid Highways" option. When this option is switched on, you'll receive a detailed route using all surface streets. If there's a way to get to your destination without using highways, the "Avoid Highways" option can usually find it for you.

MapQuest

MapQuest.com is the first directions website that I started using many years ago. Surf on over to their homepage, and you'll be presented with a crisp, clear interface. Near the bottom of the page, you'll see a Directions panel where you can enter in your starting and ending address. When you're finished
entering in your address information, simply hit the Get Directions button on the bottom of the panel.

MapQuest offers some advanced features that come in handy. On the homepage, under the Ending Location text boxes, you'll notice there's an Advanced Options link; select on this to cause it to expand. Here you'll be presented with several useful functions that MapQuest will take into account when it finds your route. You can opt to get your directions by the shortest time or distance. If you've a fear of driving highways, the Avoid Highways check box option was designed for you.

If you don't know your starting or ending destination addresses, you can simply type in an optional name, such as Disneyland or Hilton Hotel etc. MapQuest is good at figuring out what you mean. Once you hit the Get Directions button, MapQuest will display a detailed Maneuvers page. This page will show you how
to get to where you need to go via precise directions. If you need to update your directions, to get the shortest distance or to avoid highways, there's a convenient Advanced Options side panel to the right that you can use to update your directions.

At the bottom of the Maneuvers instructions, there's a colorful overhead map that traces your directions with a solid red line. The upper left corner contains a zoom tool, which lets you zoom in and out of the map respectively.

Google Maps

As you may already know, Google is more than just a speedy search engine. Navigate on over to maps.google.com to get driving directions that are on par with MapQuest's. When at the Google Maps homepage, you'll see a detailed map of your country. Think of this map as an interactive application
inside of your browser. You can select and drag the map around to explore other regions, and you can also zoom in and out to get a better view and to pinpoint specific landmarks.

When you need to get driving directions, select on the Get Directions link at the top, under the search box. Google will open up a second text box that's used for your ending address. Like MapQuest, you can also opt to skip typing in addresses, and instead use specific names, such as Queen of the Valley Hospital or Sea World and suchlike.

Once you hit the Get Directions button, Google will go through the motions of calculating your directions. Similar to MapQuest, Google also offers an Avoid Highways option, which is great if you want to avoid traffic and congestion during rush hour. For the return trip home, there's even a Reverse Directions option, which will basically display your driving directions in reverse order to make the return trip smoother and less complicated.

The interface to Google Maps is a little more cleaner than MapQuest in my personal opinion, but both are fantastic services when you need to find driving directions. These two directional services become indispensible when traveling into foreign territory or are planning a trip across the country.

Remember, when you don't know how to get somewhere, surf on over to Google Maps or MapQuest to make your life easier!

Major Jane Raymond USAFA

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