The Joel on Software Discussion Group

Calculate directions from NYC to Dublin Ireland using Google maps. Any origin in USA works well.

Pay attention to Step 23

<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&saddr=ny,+ny&daddr=dublin,ireland&layer=&sll=48.166085,-43.242187&sspn=42.85428,92.8125&ie=UTF8&z=4&ll=47.040182,-36.123047&spn=43.700078,92.8125&om=1"> Google maps directions</a>

Reckon a bit of exercise will do you some good mate.

ROTFLMAO.

What? Matter transmission is still to expensive for the average bloke? Shucks.

I tried Honolulu, Oahu to Seoul, South Korea--doesn't work? Even if you can't swim across can't you at least tie together a few coconuts and float across?

I think that's a bit off.  I wonder if Google's algorithms don't need a bit more tweaking.

I mean, wouldn't it be quicker to swim straight to Ireland instead of going through France and England as well?

That’s just ridiculous. Everyone knows that you should take the M6 toll road instead of staying on the regular M6 through the West Midlands. Otherwise you get caught in the heavy traffic around Birmingham.

Hmmmm, the coconuts method should work, just as long as you can find enough swallows.

Bah .. It takes you via France to get to Plymouth..

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&saddr=ny,ny&daddr=plymouth,+uk&layer=&sll=39.96901,-39.935855&sspn=44.196536,96.328125&ie=UTF8&z=4&ll=46.073231,-36.123047&spn=40.364386,96.328125&om=1

Google, fix this! Someone is going to go seriously out of their way following those directions.

Interestingly, it seems that on Google Maps, every road trip from the U.S. to Europe has to leave from Boston and arrive at Le Havre, France.

Google must have a deal with this cruise company:

http://www.cruisecompete.com/itins/maasdam_cruises_ehajded.html

Interesting observation, Kyralessa.

Not as amusing, but the google maps trip from my local shops to my house takes a sharp left down a walking track, across a small lake, and through a locked gate - the water is not deep enough to swim, but too deep and muddy for normal cars.

OK, so can anyone tell us what pair of cities results in a route traversing the biggest fraction of a great circle?

Or:  is there a pair of cities for which google advocates going the "long way" around the world?  Preferably, these cities would be close to each other.

"I mean, wouldn't it be quicker to swim straight to Ireland instead of going through France and England as well?"

No. You might risk making landfall at Cork. I think Google is erring on the side of caution... very astute!

Besides, if you came ashore at Cork, you couldn't tell people that you swam the English Channel now, could you?