For the common man, I think GPS probably did something of a magnificent nature. We all used to carry various maps in the car. It’d take forever if we were driving four-hundred miles to some auction-sale in a building that we’d never been to in our lives. Today, I plug in the coordinates, and get the most direct route, never get lost, and if I need to eat....I can find a fine dining place within sixty seconds.
My wife once demanded an Italian vacation (to drive from Germany down to Italy). This was prior to GPS. We got down to Milan and there was some point in town where we were supposed to turn left. The Italians for some reason simply didn’t make direct interstate-type roads....you got off one....transited over to second interstate a mile or two down the road.
Well...I missed that turn, and we spent almost two hours touring around Milan with a marginal map that simply showed the country of Italy, and not the city of Milan. It was an interesting episode, and I saw a Milan that few ever get to see (nor desire). If I’d had a GPS? It would have redefined the vacation, eliminated the two hours in Milan, and downsized the situation where a frustrated wife was telling me where I went wrong.
Absolutely true.
GPS is very cool. But, by itself, all GPS gives you is four numbers: latitude, longitude, elevation, and the current time.
In order to make use of that point in space-time, you need the internet. First of all, to plot your location on the map. And then, to make sense of your location with respect to the current situation (current traffic, etc.) and your immediate needs (basic navigation on the map, place to stay, place to eat, sites to see, directions to a specific destination, etc.)
Like me, you probably spent two whole hours there, because you refused to ask for directions .. LOL
I'm a map guy who still doesn't use GPS. I do like Google Maps, though.