Polk Project

I ran across this sweet little plug-in that uses your IP address to determine your location and provide it to certain Windows 7 applications. Currently Google does this within the browser (with your permission) if you are running Chrome, Firefox, or Opera. This helps with your search results and of course, their targeted marking. I utilize location based searching on my Android phone and it definitely comes in handy when looking for local places and services.

Currently the best application is the weather gadget that comes with W7. It comes in handy when you travel with your laptop/netbook. The default W7 weather gadget needs manual input of city, state or zip code. With this plug in, your location and local weather will be auto populated.

Sounds great, how do I get it?

1. Determine whether your OS is 32bit or 64bit (hit the Windows key (bottom left of the KB) and pause/break (usually the top right of the KB). The System Info will pop up and System Type (in the middle of the window) will display 32-bit Operating System or 64-bit Operating System.  At this point, just make a note of which type you have.
2. Open your browser, and navigate to http://geosenseforwindows.com/ . Download the appropriate version for your system.(I always just save it to my desktop to find it easily)
3. Run through the installation.
4. After installation, go to the Control Panel (open the start menu, on the right hand side)
5. Enable the location sensor:
   1. If you are in category view: Click on Hardware and Sound, then Location and Other Sensors, Enable the Geosense Location Sensor and hit Apply.
   2. If you are in icon view: Click on Location and Other Sensors, Enable the Geosense Location Sensor and hit Apply.
   3. Use the Search at the top right of the control panel, enter “Location”, Click on Location and Other Sensors, Enable the Geosense Location Sensor and hit Apply.
   4. Right Click the desktop in an empty area, the left click on Gadgets, Double Click on the Weather Gadget
   5. Enjoy the weather gadget that keeps up with you.

I expect this will get more attention in the future.

W7 = Windows 7
KB = Keyboard