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    GPS + Your Laptop = Coolness

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by RedSensiStar, Jan 3, 2007.

  1. RedSensiStar

    RedSensiStar Notebook Deity

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    My friend gave me an awesome link.

    www.loki.com

    It is an add-on for FireFox2.0 & IE7 that allows your notebook to become a GPS unit. It finds your location (lat & lon), maps it, allows full zooming in and out of maps, SMS, and Loki also allows you to send messages to phones or other computers so others can find you.

    AWESOME!!!!! !!! !!! !! !! !! ! ! !! !! ! !! ! !! ! !! :D
     
    RedSensiStar, Jan 3, 2007
    #1
  2. usapatriot

    usapatriot Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Wow, this, is awesome.
     
    usapatriot, Jan 3, 2007
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  3. Andrew Baxter

    Andrew Baxter -

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    It's not GPS though, they're mostly using your IP address to determine your location. That's powered by a company called MaxMind that has a massive database of IP addresses and general location, you can see the press release here showing Loki (Skyhook) uses this: http://www.maxmind.com/app/news_20060130

    To show that MaxMind can pretty much tell where you are visit this page: http://www.maxmind.com/app/locate_my_ip

    We use this software for targeting ads to the right continent (i.e. Verizon Wireless ads show up in the USA but Orange wireless ads show up in England).
     
    Andrew Baxter, Jan 3, 2007
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  4. Saturnine138

    Saturnine138 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Is there any way to remove yourself from that database?
     
    Saturnine138, Jan 3, 2007
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  5. usapatriot

    usapatriot Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    hahaha

    No.
     
    usapatriot, Jan 3, 2007
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  6. dlstorm

    dlstorm Notebook Consultant

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    It needs some work. Loki put me in Rochester, NY, a few thousand miles off. Could be because I live in the boonies with no WiFi's nearby.
     
    dlstorm, Jan 3, 2007
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  7. Padmé

    Padmé NBR Super Pink Princess

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    Maxmind put me pretty close to home. About 30 miles away in Conway.
     
    Padmé, Jan 3, 2007
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  8. Andrew Baxter

    Andrew Baxter -

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    No, but you can surf the web with an Anonymous IP by getting some type of Anonymizer software http://www.anonymizer.com/consumer/products/anonymous_surfing/

    Honestly I wouldn't worry about it though, the database is only so accurate as IPs change from month to month and the location is usually only good to a city level (or within several miles).
     
    Andrew Baxter, Jan 3, 2007
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  9. HP Fan

    HP Fan Notebook Evangelist

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    hide IP platinum. i use this to hide my IP.
     
    HP Fan, Jan 3, 2007
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