Il motore di ricerca americano Ask, ha  annunciato qualche giorno fa la nascita di nuovi servizi, tra cui un sistema di mappatura che mira a dare battaglia a quello di google e msn. La qualità delle mappe geografiche di ask non è definita come quelle di google, ma sono di buon livello le mappe stradali, anche per l’Italia.

Il servizio non è ancora attivo sulla versione italiana del motore di ricerca.

Su a Sestriere ho avuto modo di intervistare il mio "major" americano Rod Edmiston, un gran personaggio, ma anche un grande amico. Ecco la sua storia, davvero particolare.

ROD: I came to Torino to work in the Ticketing Department. Having worked 4 previous Olympics, I have several friends working for TOROC. One of my friends in Ticketing asked me and my wife Kristin to come to Italy and help with the Box Office Operations. Kristin arrived in late January and I came in early February. I spent a couple of days in Torino before coming up to Sestriere to work at the Olympic Village and Colle/Borgata. Kristin is working in Cesana. I took time off from my job in Doha, Qatar where I am the Head of Ticketing Operations for the Asian Games Doha 2006. I will return to Doha on February 27th. I have had a wonderful time here in Italy meeting new people and working in the ticketing department. It will be hard to leave Italy as I have been able to wake up each day and see the Alps. Sestriere is an amazing place and has become one of my favorite places in the world.

IO: How did you find the overall organizing of the Olympics in Torino?

ROD: Let me start by saying that to host an Olympics whether summer or winter is a huge undertaking. Much of the planning done in the years prior to the Games changes due to factors that cannot be controlled. All previous Olympics have had difficulties in organizing such a complex project. With that said the first few days of the Games here in Italy were very chaotic. There was still much to do and little time to complete unfinished work. The ticketing department was hit especially hard as they had a smaller staff than previous Games and the procedures for Games time had not been completely ironed out. But that is why they brought over Kristin and I as we have the experience and can begin working immediately with little training. Once we were able to spend a few days seeing how the Box Offices operated, we were able to make improvements with input from staff and with our experience. One issue that ticketing had to resolve was the lack of seat numbers on the seats here in Sestriere and Cesana. In the past this project was not part of ticketing as Venue Overlays and Venue Operations are responsible for putting numbers on the seats. Unfortunately it was left to ticketing to put the numbers on the seat. If not for Volunteers and dedicated staff, it would have not been possible. But even with the issues of the first few days, it all began to run more smoothly as staff gained experience while working. So after a rocky start, it all came together and we were able to manage the ticketing operations much more effectively.

IO: How does new technology help you with your job?

ROD: Having a computerised ticketing system is a must for Olympic Games. There are so many Sports and tickets to sell, it would not be possible without a good ticketing system. The general public do not realize the complexity of selling tickets the Olympic way. But those of us who have worked an Olympics before know the complexity. The internet now plays a huge roll in selling tickets. Before the internet you could only buy tickets in person, by mail or over the phone. Now everyone with an internet connection can purchase tickets. It makes a huge difference. In addition communication using mobile phones and e-mail help us all communicate better. When a session is delayed, we know instantly and can pass that information along to the spectators. SMS messaging is being used more here in Torino than pervious Olympics. I think the use of mobile phones will continue to become more important as technology improves. Some day paper tickets as we know them will not exist. Mobile phones and other devices will carry barcodes that allow access to the seating area.

IO: You have worked at 5 Olympics Games. What is the biggest difference between Turin 2006 and the previous Olympic Games?

ROD: I think technology has improved most from my first Olympics in 1996 and Turin in 2006. Ticketing still has the same processes, but they have been made easier by the improvements in technology. Security has also become more a part of the Games. In 1996 I was able to run onto the field at Closing Ceremonies and dance with the Athletes. If you try that today, you would be quickly tackled and removed from the venue if not worse. And finally I think the Olympics are best when hosted by a European country. Italy and Greece are great locations to host the Games. With the history, the people and the beautiful buildings/landscape it is hard to beat.

IO: What are your thoughts with regards to Italy?

ROD: The food is great. It is the best Olympic food I have had. In addition the people are quite friendly and are always willing to try to help. The Olympics make it easier to meet and talk to complete strangers as we all are sharing a special experience. But I think even when the Olympics are finished the Italians will continue to be as friendly and helpful as during the Olympics. I can’t say that of other Olympics where as soon as it was over, people stopped trying to be helpful and friendly. I would love to stay in Italy longer if I could. I have been lucky enough to visit Rome, Florence, Milan, and Venice, but only as a tourist. I have had a much better time at the Olympics as I an working with Italians who share stories and help me better understand Italy.