Sometimes I have to take a step back and think about how far technology has come in the last 5, 10, 15 years. Today I was working on balancing my checkbook using information downloaded from my bank. Sometimes all I get from my bank is an address, which isn't all that helpful. In the past I have used various online mapping resources (I don't remember when these first became available, but I didn't start using the WWW until '96) such as map quest. I decided for what ever reason to use http://live.local.com to look up this address. By default it shows up in standard map mode, so I clicked on the birds eye view, and it's pretty apparent that it's a McDonalds. Bird's eye has been around for a couple of years I think, but I wasn't aware how much coverage has expanded, as Oregon, WI isn't exactly a booming metropolis.

I took the time to look up some other addresses, like Terso Solutions (map) which is where I currently work. The bright yellow car in the parking lot is mine ;) I think it's interesting to look at the picture and try to figure out additional details, like from the shadow of the building I can tell that this picture was taken in the early afternoon. Looking at the condition of the construction of our parent companies building to the E/NE, I can estimate that this picture was taken last summer.

Where will we be in another 10 years?