Microsoft trumps Google for maps of Georgia

Russia and Georgia may have suspended military operations, but there is still a high level of interest in the Caucasus from around the world.

However, surfers using Google Maps to search for further information were frustrated by the blank map that appears.

Google Maps service doesn't currently display cities or roads in Georgia or its neighbours Azerbaijan and Armenia, for the simple reason that the data Google has isn't good enough, the company explained.

Microsoft Live Search Maps performs much better than its rival, with a detailed map of Georgia including the two areas of contention, South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

The CIA's World Factbook includes political and historical information on Georgia as well as some basic maps.

Meanwhile, an army of Russian hackers has been upping the ante in the war against key Georgian websites.

The cyberwar mounted on Georgia resulted in websites from the President to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs all being attacked. The Georgian parliamentary website was still not operational when Web User last checked.

Surfers trying to access Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili's website were recently routed to a page portraying him as a modern-day Hitler.

Russia has also accused Georgian hackers of targeting the websites of Russian news outlets and the separatist Government of South Ossetia, which is backed by Russia.

Check out Issue 194 of Web User, available in shops now, where we put 11 of Microsoft and Google's best applications, including their mapping services, through a head-to-head test.

http://maps.live.com