Find My Location. Stop. Google Time.
May 15th, 2008 | by Brad King |
Image via Wikipedia
I’ve been tinkering with the idea of creating geo-locatede mash-up maps on my own. Which is really foolish since I have no idea how to code at all.
But it’s quickly getting to the point where I can do these things thanks to our New Overlords at Google. Now, I have the benefit of a programmer at hand, which is probably the best way to start.
We already know (although I just found this) that Google will allow you to use Google Spreadsheet to create location-based information and automatically publish it to the Web (you can embed code on your page or plug it into your Google Page account).
You just need to use the Data, Map and Spreadsheet APIs.
Once you’ve put your information in, there’s a simple three-step process for creating the customized map and the code that goes with it. The map is then easily changed by updating the spreadsheet.
But it’s not how easy it is to set up these maps that’s so intriguing, it’s what can be done once they are.
There’s a neat application called Books in London that allows people to geo-locate a book they’ve left somewhere so that someone else can pick it up.
You simply go to the site, type in some pertinent information and the book appears on the site.
Obviously this is a goofy use of the technology, but it’s interesting to note that 400 people have already tagged books they’ve left around the city. That’s about 390 more people than I thought would have used the service.
Think about what could be done by intrepid citizens, particularly those who already have a set number of data points already added to the system. I’ve discussed how local communities may be encouraged to participate in journalism with their local papers and a mash-up like this, which makes it simple and easy to upload information, would be an absolutely necessity for that.
Then there’s the London Teen Murder Map, which chronicles the deaths of teenagers in London this year and was put together by the folks at Google Maps Mania.
3 Responses to “Find My Location. Stop. Google Time.”
By tjansley on May 15, 2008 | Reply
It’s a little easier to make a map than first I thought. An advertiser (Buffalo Wild Wings) here in Detroit wanted to put it’s locations on our website for people to find their restaurants. All I did was list those locations and also went into Google Maps and created my own with little logos at each location. Pretty simple and hopefully effective. Here is the link:
http://www.971theticket.com/pages/2158202.php
By Brad on May 15, 2008 | Reply
So all you did was use the Google Spreadsheet and then published it to the map?
By tjansley on May 16, 2008 | Reply
With these all I did was enter each address. I haven’t tried the spreadsheet approach.
I also looked on Google Maps and they said you can upload this way.
“Importing KML or GeoRSS to Your Map
Once you have created a map, you can import KML, KMZ or GeoRSS data into your map. To do this, create or open a map and click Import. ”
I am not sure how to even get those files but it can be done. Also check this out what a Fox station in Chicago is doing. They are tracking their traffic chopper with GPS on a Google Map and a live web cam in the chopper itself and broadcasting it on their site. Very cool stuff.
http://media.myfoxchicago.com/airfox/