[OSM-talk] [talk-au] Software goes on, brain goes off...

[Frederik Ramm]

Hi,

John Smith wrote:
>> http://searchengineland.com/woman-follows-google-maps-walking-directions-gets-hit-sues-43212
> 
> I wonder if she's eligible for an honourable mention from the darwin awards?

After all the brouhaha maybe there's time for some serious thought.

Without knowing the exact circumstances of that case, try to put 
yourself into a situation like this: You are in an unknown city, maybe 
even in a foreign city. The roads are laid out differently from what 
you're used to. You are under stress for some reason or other, say you 
have an appointment and have not had the time to look it up on a map, 
you're somewhat lost, insecure, with limited sense of where you are and 
where you have to go to. Assume you cannot afford a taxi, or don't even 
know how and where to call one. But wait! There's the Blackberry with 
"experimental" Google maps on it, and lo and behold, it says your 
destination is only 25 minutes away on foot...

I consider myself to be fairly intelligent and my judgment and 
situational awareness are generally ok, but honestly, I think it could 
happen to me (if I had a Blackberry).

The only difference is that I would not sue Google if it happened to me. 
But then I don't live in a country where I'm bombarded with like "Have 
you been involved in an accident? We may be able to make money from 
that, call 0-800-frivolous-solicitors" all the time.

Bye
Frederik