One very seldom "needs to" pinpoint the location of something in a far-off city before one gets to the general area first. Which is what one used to do when tr

One very seldom "needs to" pinpoint the location of something in a far-off city before one gets to the general area first. Which is what one used to do when traveling (i.e. at the first gas or train station in the general area, depending on the mode of travel, you get your coffee, your would get your donut/baguette/whatever... and a map of whatever fancy new city you've just arrived in). Sure. being able to do this online, for any place in the world, within seconds is a huge convenience... but ultimately just that -- a convenience.