The Product

• What exactly is Earthcomber — Software? Service?
• What exactly can you do with it?
• Where does your information come from?
• How much does it cost?
• Where can people get it?
• Can I get it from a mobile connection?
• What hardware does Earthcomber run on?
• Will it work on any cell phone?
• Does Earthcomber work outside the U.S.?

The Company

• How long has Earthcomber been around?
• Who owns Earthcomber?
• Is this a public or private company?
• Where are you located?
• Do you accept investors?

Policies

• What's your privacy policy?
• Do you share user information?
• Do businesses know if a user is nearby?
• Can anybody put anything on Earthcomber?

The Product

What exactly is Earthcomber — Software? Service?

Both. Earthcomber provides free software, maps, and info, and also sells some name-brand guides. The service can be accessed through Earthcomber.com, for getting map and info updates, as well as discovering interest groups and tweaking personal favorites to search for. The service is free.

What exactly can you do with it?

Use Earthcomber for maps and navigation, for starters. But the real fun and value is using Earthcomber to be your constant lookout for whatever your favorites or needs are. Also, you can use Earthcomber to mark and map places you've been, and to share online with others who might like the same thing. If you have a business, it's very easy to use Earthcomber as a form of direct advertising – you name your specialties, and people looking for what you have will see you pop up when you're within their personal range.

Where does your information come from?

Many sources: User-created spots, commercial enterprises, national fanchises, businesses and organizations, the US Geological Survey, the Census Bureau, the National Registry of Historic Places, individual volunteers.

How much does it cost?

Earthcomber is free. Special "Spot Guides" from name-brand publishers cost anywhere from $6.95 to $19.85, depending on the title. There is no monthly service charge. However, some phone companies will charge for data you might download – check your service plan to find out.

Where can people get it?

http://www.earthcomber.com . Spot guides may also be purchased at various software sites on the web, as well as through publishers.

Can I get it from a mobile connection?

You really need a PC to set up Earthcomber on your handheld. However, once you do, you can get maps using the web browser in your wireless handheld – if it has WiFi or phone service. The address: http://www.earthcomber.com/mobile/maps/searchform.do.

What hardware does Earthcomber run on?

Currenlty, Earthcomber works on most relatively recent Palm- or WindowsMobile-powered PDAs, cell phones, and certain hybrid devices – see the Equipment page for details.

Will it work on any cell phone?

Not yet. Later this year, Earthcomber for java phones and Blackberry will be available. So right now: Palm and WindowsMobile phones only.

Does Earthcomber work outside the U.S.?

Earthcomber works anywhere on Earth – however, Earthcomber currently provides maps only for the United States. More countries are in the pipeline.

The Company

How long has Earthcomber been around?

Earthcomber LLC was founded in 2002.

Who owns Earthcomber?

Earthcomber is a privately held company owned by individual investors.

Where are you located?

Earthcomber's main office is just outside Chicago's western city limit. The address is:

Earthcomber
7777 Lake St.
Suite #107
River Forest, IL 60305

Do you accept investors?

Investor inquiries should be sent to CEO James Brady at the above address, or by email: jbrady@earthcomber.com.

Policies

What's your privacy policy?

Earthcomber is intended to provide the maximum privacy for its users so they can enjoy the maximum confidence in using Earthcomber with confidence.

Do you share user information?

No. Due to recent disclosures in the press concerning governmental activities, Earthcomber is pledged to eliminate from its records identifying information except where it is required – such as an online purchase, when credit card and personal information is needed to complete the transaction. Earthcomber will resist government attempts to obtain individuals' personal information. In cases in which Earthcomber must report transaction activity in order to be credited and paid, only anonymous activity will be reported. Earthcomber, however, can not interfere with or be expected to be responsible for communications and information any user voluntarily conducts or offers a business or individual they contact through Earthcomber.

Do businesses know if a user is nearby?

No, the Earthcomber system only provides the user with information about what's around them – not the other way aroud.

Can anybody put anything on Earthcomber?

Almost. People are invited to post locations of shared interest, or points along their individual journeys, or community locations, local trivia, places of resources or spots for gatherings, etc. However, clearly fraudulent or criminal activity or information is not allowed, and users may be banned for posting it.