Are you a webmaster using the Google Maps API to create some of the cool customized maps or showoff specific places in various city maps? If so, you may be able to integrate advertisements - and your AdSense publisher ID - into your Google maps, meaning you could earn money if any of your visitors click on one of the ads displayed on the maps.

So how exactly would this work? Quite easily, actually. Publishers would not have to go and tag other locations of interest in hopes that there might be an advertisement associated with it. Instead, Google would automate the system of adding AdSense ads to the map.

This would mean that in addition to the points you are displaying on the Google map, Google would also add and display other paid for points of interest on the map. If a visitor moused-over one and then clicked on the displayed AdWords advertisement, they would receive revenue off of each of those clicks… just how Google AdSense currently displays ads that publishers earna portion of the revenue on when the ad is clicked.

When could this possibly be released? Google is not announcing that, at least not yet, according to Andrew Eland, the Google software developer who talked about the program at the Developers Day. But very likely, surfers could see some AdSense beta testers using this new feature on some of the customized Google maps out there in the near future, so keep your eyes open.

Since more and more publishers are worried about being suspended from AdSense, and it seems like even more publishers claim they “didn’t know” the rules because they didn’t read the terms and/or policies, the AdSense team has created a brand new top ten list of what to do (and not to do!) to ensure your AdSense account remains in good standing.

The quick rundown of the top ten, as well as some of my personal comments in italics with each:

• Don’t click your own ads
  I have been saying this ever since AdSense launched. It is amazing how many people don’t realize this is a problem even if they are “truly interested” in what is being advertised.
• Don’t ask others to click on Google ads
  Again, you’d think this was obvious, but not the the publisher I saw a few months ago with a huge 250×500 pixel image reminding visitors to click at least three ads a day, or else their free access to the site might be gone the following day.
• Don’t employ pop-up prompts or automatic software installations
  Sneaky pop-ups containing AdSense or reminders to click the ads have been hitting the radar recently.
• Be aware of how your site is promoted
  This seems to be reminding those publishers who are utlizing spyware to promote their site with AdSense ads as being against the AdSense terms and policies.
• Don’t place Google ads on sites that contain prohibited content
  I still see AdSense showing up on adult or gambling sites these days.
• Respect Google trademarks
  Reminding publishers who are utlizing Google logos etc about their brand guidelines.
• Don’t tamper with the AdSense code
  It is always amazing how frequently people change the javascript yet don’t realize it is against the AdSense terms.
• Provide a positive user experience
  Someone should remind the publisher who bombaded me with eight popups, a full complement of Google ads and about two sentences of keyword spam content on the page.
• Provide a good environment for advertisers
  About creating pages advertisers would be happy to see their ads appearing on.
• Be responsive
  If Google emails you with an account or policy issue, respond ASAP

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Just months after learning the truth behind the fall of the late Mars Global Surveyor, NASA is already test driving the next great planetary invader. The vehicle, dubbed Scarecrow for its (current) lack of brain matter, is already conquering terrain in the Mars Yard as it prepares for a scheduled launch in 2009. Its sole mission in life will be to “follow the evidence of water that has already been found on the surface of Mars,” and just in case any unforeseen hostiles attempt to sabotage its assignment, the engineers have equipped it with a “laser that can pulverize rock from 20 feet away.” So much for a peaceful visit.

Considering how incredibly geektastic Microsoft’s Surface truly is, it was only a matter of time before a realist came to light and demonstrated what it looks like from the outside looking in. An admittedly creative video over at Sarcastic Gamer highlights the pitfalls (presumed or otherwise) of the unique invention, and spares no mercy in thoroughly blasting a Microsoft promotional spot in perfectly brash form. So if you’ve found yourself a bit too enamored with the Surface of late, be sure to leap on through for a impetuous reality check (or at least a good chuckle).

As far as bands go, Daft Punk is certainly one of the hardest for fans to emulate, with robotic suits and teams of animators unfortunately pretty hard to come by. Those with the dough to spare now have at least one option at their disposal, however, as the manufacturer of the duo’s Discovery-era helmets is now offering to sell ‘em to you for the hefty price of $65,000 apiece. It’s apparently not quite that simple though, as you’ll also have to somehow get permission from the band to call the helmets your own. Assuming you manage to do that, you’ll then have to wait a whole year for the folks at LED Effects to put one together for you. Of course, you could also go the DIY route - and if you do, be sure to send us some pics.

Earlier today ArchosLounge posted a photo of an FM remote/receiver connected to the recently announced 605 WiFi PMP. While the iPod has been there and done that, this is still an interesting addition to the 605’s functionality. As is usually the case with these random finds, price and release date have yet to be announced, but you can check the link for all the roughly translated goodness.

Veoh’s been busy. In addition to running its popular video sharing site, which is known for higher-quality streams (in terms of bitrate), they’ve announced VeohTV, which is best described as a distributed Joost.

The service, which involves, like Joost and Babelgum, downloading new software which becomes a sort of “video browser.” But instead of doing deals with content providers and piping content directly to users, VeohTV is letting users pull content from around the web - a “single interface to search, browse and view all video on the Internet.” Accepting that IPTV will be decentralized is the same theme driving Truveo’s success, AOL’s video search tool.

Basically, if its out there on the Internet, and Veoh can pull it in, you can watch it. Veoh says this is great for video sites, since they can continue to embed advertising, etc with the content.

Will it work? It certainly might. I’ll have to wait and try out the software first. But the vision is solid. This avoids the time and cost of doing licensing deals with content owners. Like Real’s new player that allows users to basically bookmark and locally store video, it assumes that video will continue to be widely distributed across the Internet. Whoever creates the best interface for the content will win users, and liquidity events.

This also spells eventual trouble for online TV guides like Meevee (not to single them out). If people have a tv and its hooked up to a computer, as more and more people do, they’ll eventually expect video on demand from the Internet. The online TV guides weren’t able to figure out how to bring this content to them, and now services like Veoh, Joost, Babelgum and others have just done an end-around.

Meanwhile, don’t forget the social aspect of watching TV, and how the Internet can help facilitate that. BuddyTV is a service to keep an eye on. No IPTV, but lots of chatting going on during shows from loyal users.

Remember I-O Data’s dual-DVD burner released last year? Yeah, that one. Well, it’s back and better than ever. Bumping the model name from DVR-UW8D to DVR-UW8D2, their newest super duper bumps DVD and CD write speeds across the board. Of course, it still does its thing (dupe non-commercial CDs and DVDs with a single button press) without the assistance of a PC. An expensive trick for the ¥53,000 (about $430) price it’ll snag.

MW-Line, a Swiss boat-maker known mostly for its water taxis, has successfully piloted a craft across the Atlantic using nothing but solar power, chocolates, neutrality, and hope. The boat, conspicuously named Sun21, is the first of its eco-friendly kind to attempt the journey. The 46-foot catamaran made the trip — from the Canary Islands to the Bahamas — in just under a month, and according to MW-Line, the operating costs are 20 to 45 times lower than traditional motorboats. The company claims their next project is to take a solar-powered ship around the world, and then get righteously wasted.