OneMap: Singapore’s own version of Google Maps?
The Straits Times published on 1 April 2010 has this title “Forget Google, check out Onemap” when reporting the launch of SLA ’s OneMap Singapore portal.
What an audacious title! Is this an April Fools’ joke. The journalist reported that the newly launched map site, OneMap is “Singapore’s own version of Google Maps”.
First Impression of OneMap Singapore
The map is very high resolution and detailed. It is better than www.map.gov.sg which is now redirecting to www.onemap.sg.
In terms of resolution and information details, Google Maps really “got-no-fight”. Really impressed with what the Singapore government can do. I think I will start using OneMap to find accurate location of places and bus stop information but I am not about to abandon Google Maps yet. Google Maps still load up so much faster. And I am so used to using Google Maps – be it on the PC or iPhone.
OneMap Singapore may have very detailed information but not the latest. I could not find Parco Marina Bay at the time of writing.
OneMap SLA is Slower
With OneMap Singapore, there is still a lot more getting used to and if people don’t use it often then they won’t use it at all. I really think beside the detailed information on OneMap, SLA should also have to make it work faster. Imagine the agonizing snail pace if I were to access OneMap SLA with a cheap netbook connected to the free Wireless@SG.
Has the government invested in a technology that requires the general public to use fast computers and high-speed broadband? Hopefully, the slow loading webpage will not turn it into a white elephant.
Also, there is another “small” problem and I think it’s the common canonical URL issue. If you type in just http://onemap.sg you will get an error in Internet Explorer. I got similar error when I used Safari and Chrome too.
I think many people will just enter “onemap.sg” in the browser address bar. Otherwise, they will be using the search box to type in one map or onemap singapore or even onemap.com which will not yield any result related to the SLA’s site.
So do you think we can “Forget Google” and use OneMap Singapore instead?
April 1st, 2010 at 4:51 pm
What’s the point of spending $2.2 million to reinvent the wheel when there is already google maps?
April 1st, 2010 at 6:59 pm
Spent $2.2 million & didn’t get the URL issue resolved before showing to the whole world?!
Also, OneMap SLA didn’t bother to redirect onemap.com.sg to onemap.sg!!!
They probably still couldn’t afford to hire a good sysadmin with that kind of money.
April 4th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
Does Google maps show you the ownership or lot number of a plot of land? Onemap does! I would say it serves different purpose.
April 5th, 2010 at 11:51 am
you got gothere.sg, tripsum.com, oneshift.com. $2.2 million too expensive for taxpayers.
April 6th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
[...] Bugis Junction. So I tried Google Maps but cannot pinpoint the location. Then I turned to the new OneMap Singapore, there was no result. Then I found this article at DivaAsia.com – Shopping… at Parco [...]
April 22nd, 2010 at 12:12 pm
Wow! That’s great topic. Singapore has launched its own version of Google maps i.e. one map. Google map give very detailed information about the places and bus stops.