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scooter_de | 8 years ago

The problem of "under addressed" places in the world is addressed (no pun intended) by several companies. Eg. What3Words (w3w.co) has created a grit of 3mx3m squares which cover the entire planet. Each of this squares is identified by three words. Post/Mail organizations in several countries already accept those addresses. Google also has the OLC (Open Location Code) to address an area of adjustable size on earth. I find w3w very convinient to communicate a place over a voice connection (radio) or by writing it down on paper. Nothing you couldn't do by sending latitude and longitude, but more convinient.

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saagarjha|8 years ago

While the concept is interesting, the issue I have with What3Words is that they force you to use their service to figure out what an address actually means. In other words, you can't use it at all without being bound to their whims. Kind of a big deal when working with something as open and public and universal as addresses.

scooter_de|8 years ago

I don't understand your "what it means" statement. Can you elaborate a little bit plz?

craigds|8 years ago

Is it really more convenient? Coordinates make sense to everyone and every map tool can understand them. W3W phrases are useless unless you happen to have the app.

Also, there are a few amusing clones... http://www.what3fucks.com/

scooter_de|8 years ago

Almost every Sunday morning I put my kayak at mere.digests.undergo. I could say "at the 8th line bridge North of West Montrose, ON, Canada" or I could say at "43.624987N, 80.447249W" or I could say let's meet at OLC "86MXJHG3+247" or "JHF3+X4 Inverhaugh". Yeah - some of the clones sound funny but not useful in real world social interaction.

heartbreak|8 years ago

I’m only aware of one government postal org that uses w3w. Are there others beyond Côte d'Ivoire?