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Finding the Swine Flu Shot: Google Helps You Beat H1N1!

Posted: 13 Nov 2009 05:00 AM PST

Earlier this year I wrote about how you could use Google Maps to track the swine flu spread across the world. Now that we have an H1N1 vaccine, and also a vaccine shortage, Google can help you locate the places where you can get your flu vaccination. Unfortunately, this information is as of yet only available for people living in the United States, but who knows how fast Google might add more information for vaccination centers across the globe.

This new service is called the Google Flu Shot finder, and also uses Google Maps, and although it can give you information of flu vaccine clinics, it cannot yet say for sure whether or not the vaccines are still available at the clinics listed. Basically, Google does not know if a clinic runs out of the vaccines or not. It also does not have all vaccination locations listed yet, and is still compiling all the data for this. The new service is still in its beginning stages, but kudos to Google for already launching it, even though the information available is not yet complete. Surely, having whatever information is already there will help millions of people who are looking for the swine flu vaccine in their area.

How Google Flu Shot Finder can help you

If you are looking to get vaccinated for the swine flu, and you do not know where to go, then Google Flu Shot finder is a great place to get started with your search. Simply type in an area close to which you want to search. For example, I typed in “Denver” in the search box (randomly chosen).

After clicking “Go”, the following map popped up with locations in the central core of Denver:

The little syringe-shaped icons on the map denote the locations you can get a flu shot. On the left side of the map, there is a list with the addresses of the locations, phone numbers, and information on whether or not the location is out of stock. Because Google may not be able to get all information on flu shot availability in real time, it is worth calling your local flu shot location to make sure whether or not they truly are out of stock.

In Denver, it looks like the flu shot is out of stock in the locations listed in the map. However, if you are planning a trip to New York City, your chances are actually alot better:

The red syringes represent locations that deliver the regular flu shot, the blue ones show locations giving out the H1N1 flu shot. A syringe with both colors offers both.

Will you be getting the flu shot? I wish the flu shot locator was available for Canada, I would definitely use it!

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Will Google Rename Their Programming Language?

Posted: 12 Nov 2009 07:39 PM PST

Google has finally outgrown its shoes and is attempting to build a new foundation by creating its own programming language. Named “Go,” Google aims to create a more efficient programming language for a fast-track new modern world.

Google currently feels as though software development could use a new major leap. Unfortunately, the have just hit a hurdle.

The language “go” was invented by somebody else.

That somebody is Francis McCabe who was startled to find out that Google had named its new programming language “go,” especially when he’d created one a few years ago and wrote a book about it. To rectify the issue, he went to the source – the Go helpdesk.

“Issue 9” is a fast-growing discussion and the majority of people seem to agree that Google should change the name of its language, based on the fact that there is already a published book and several articles about McCabe’s project.

Robert Greiner of Cube Antics addressed some more interesting reasons why Google should change the name of its coding language. Here’s a summary:

Search-Engine-Optimization: Ironically, Google should understand that competing results for the word “go” number in the millions. Thus, finding support for the language would be difficult.
Name Disputes: McCabe’s project has been around for years. Google should accept that they’ve been beaten to the punch for that particular name.
It’s the Right Thing to Do: Google should let McCabe have his name, because he came up with it.

Google’s reaction remains to be seen. Whether or not the company will rename its language is unknown.