What the difference between Google Earth/Maps and France’s Geoportail?

Posted by | June 24, 2006 | technology | No Comments

Wired News: France Launches Maps Site

1. Geoportail isn’t comprehensive.
Google allows you to see a map or picture of anywhere you want (kind of what maps are for), Geoportail is limited to the France and its ‘colonies’.

2. Geoportail doesn’t actually work.
The site has been down since launch.

3. You have to pay for Geoportail in France, even if you don’t use it.
The site was funded with several million dollars of tax payers money (not necessarily a problem if it was any good).

4. Les Mashups?
Non, pas ici.

5. Front page does not have search.
From the few pages that eventually load, it looks like nobody involved has actually ever used the web.

In short, French people should ask for their money back from this execrable, committee driven, pile of old cobblers. The French government, meanwhile, would be better off focusing on creating the kind of business environment that would Foster small startups that would do a much better job.