RESEARCH

Chart a Course

Google Earth (www.earth.google.com)
Google Earth combines satellite imagery, aerial photography and the geographic information system to create a complex, interactive model of our planet. Recent additions include a star viewer and a flight simulator.

David Rumsey's Historical Map Collection (www.davidrumsey.com)
Former real estate developer David Rumsey has collected more than 15,000 historical maps, largely from the 18th and 19th centuries. They're all available for viewing and printing on his Web site.

HopStop.com (www.hopstop.com)
Sites like Google Maps and MapQuest are frequently used for driving directions, but they aren't as helpful if you live in a city and rely on public transportation. HopStop has bus and subway directions for New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.

MapMyRun (www.mapmyrun.com)
Plan smarter jogging routes with MapMyRun, where you can see elevation, topography, and street-level views before heading out the door. Afterward, track your mileage, speed, and calories burned.