Yahoo maps takes the lead

If you haven't checked out Yahoo's new maps, you should. I had a preview on Wednesday, and it offers a utility that other maps don't. For instance, you can choose multiple locations and get directions to those places. Plus there is a search box clearly on the page where you can search for other places or services, say ATM machines, between those two locations. The ATM locations appear on the map, and then you can drag the most convenient ATM location between the search boxes with the two location points. Yahoo maps automatically gives you directions to the ATM and then to your final destination. There are also developer tools so you can easily incorporate or mix other content onto the maps.

Even a non-techie like me can do it. For instance, Yahoo maps and Flickr are combined on this site: Check out the site and Yahoo maps in beta

Watch interview with head of Yahoo Local, Paul Levine

Google Runaway

On another note, my recent column on Google is getting a lot of responses. First of all, I'm not calling for a top, like some readers might think I'm doing. From the initial e-mails I've received, it seems there are a number of Google fans. Apparently, my readers believe Google is going to $500. Read column on MarketWatch.com, and if you have any responses, please post them here. My bet - Google ends the year above $400.

See Net Sense column on MarketWatch

Comments

[Peter]

Your beauty has just brightened my day;)

[vince]

goog $375?

no chance, i believe in the law of gravity as well

[greg]

I appreciate google. I love google. There are few things I don't like about google. I use google extensively, whether it be as a calculator, mapper, directions providor, picture finder, package tracker, ISBN looker upper, dictionary, phone book, or what most novices use it for: search.

I read the entire prospectus before google went public. I loved it. It was honest. It was bold. I intrepretted part of it as the founders saying "don't buy us, we don't want to go public, but it has become too expensive for us not to."

I love the plain english that is found on any page google writes...(see the faq).

I love google's politeness. I love google's psuedo hippie culture. I love that google only hires the smartest minds. I love the concept behind adsense. I love google's constant innovations. I love google.

But I will not buy their stock. I strongly considered buying @ 85....didnt see any reason not to. Today its at 380. Did I make a mistake. No. Google might go up to 20,000....it will keep going up as long as people buy stocks based off of hunches and media hype.

Is it worth 380? I don't think so. Is it worth 30? I don't think so.

The truth is I don't know. Noone knows. Analysts pick all kinds of ranges for GOOG's stock price. I'm just going to admit I don't know. Google is not microsoft. Microsoft is a near monopoly. Google is hardly a monopoly. I love everything about Google. They are as innovative and honest as anyone out there. They are run like I would dream of running a company. So how could I not like them. I would operationally/innovatively put everything they do and are on par with microsoft. That is a huge statement.

All else being equal I'd rather buy the monopoly who's been doing it for a few decades. Microsoft has been doing what google is doing since google's founders were in grade school. Everyone else is bidding up the price of google's stock hoping that they will be the next microsoft....when the next microsoft is microsoft. MSFT hasn't lost a step...only their stock price has. Which means its undervalued.

But go ahead keep buying google, while I buy microsoft...and use both of their products/services religiously.

Never invest/think with your heart...hearts don't make good decisions.

[M.]

Maybe heart don't make good decisions but dreaming it's beautiful and we need something to believe... I believe in Google and I buy his (not its) shares...this help me to feel better...

[zainyjee]

Agree with Greg and Bambi. Greg, i truly beleive in google, i beleive in buying it, holding it and knowing i'm part of something so unabashed and useful just feels nice. It's cheesey, but it's why i won't sell and think google is a good investment still. Bambi, google's definately gonna close above 400.

[Phil]

I own Google (one share bought at BuyandHold.com), and it has made me a few bucks. If I'd been a believer I would have done a Cramer "m'on back".

I saw you on a CNBC progran and got to your blog. You've given some interesting and potentially useful links. So I've become a believer in you.

What do you hope to do with a theology degree?