New Google Map stuff link roundup
Continuing with the geo theme, I've got a post brewing on what Google is doing and what this means for the growth of geo in general. I tried to get momentum for geo-related stuff for this past February's Northern Voice...but I think I was off by at least a year. Herewith some interesting links and examples of what you can now do with Google and maps.
For example, you can add your own business listing to local (and others can even review it, here's the entry for Bryght in Vancouver), and the Google My Maps now makes it really easy to create your own custom maps (e.g. here is my start of Drupal events around the world). My Maps even lets you add "mapplets" -- different layers that folks create -- here's the directory, I'm a fan of the Flickr Mapplet.
I've been looking for a central place that I can trust to "store" my geo-related information. While I still like 43 Places, it's certainly not going to be the only place I put geo-related data. Can I use Google to just act as a giant store for all my geo-related data, and pull it out, remix it, display it elsewhere as needed?
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Google Local
I checked out Google Local a couple months ago and added StaticPhotography on June 22nd but it apparently is still 'awaiting the next update' in order to start generating the statistics and stuff. :)
Looks like Static is in
Actually, looks like Static Photography is in Google Local. Not sure what the awaiting update is all about.
Geo My App Map
I've got several maps in "My Maps" now and I've been asking myself the same question. I think like a lot of "analysts" I am concerned about the format of my entries and that they stick around for a long time. Google seems to be very trustable...they seem to want to store my data forever...they seem to be making tons of places to input these little snippets of intelligence. I think My Maps is really easy to use. Easier than Google Earth and certainly more portable.
IMHO Google is on the right track. Google maps is the sickest web app available for me, functionality-wise. I like the idea of layers and I'll check that out. I want to collaborate on my maps, and I want the cool factor of Google Earth. When I 'got' the vision of where we can go with Google Earth I was really excited..second life...but in reality...remapped reality. Amazing potential for feed-through of my own value added data. Now with KML output from MyMaps the two have merged. I feel safer (my analyst side) loading my data into my maps (where's the import button) and then getting KML back out to Google Earth, rather than vice versa. Control issues and reusability are 2 factors I either need to get educated on or complain more about for Google Earth.
At any rate, why don't we have Drupal sites with all our Geo data? Oh! Because I am so freaked out about all the changes to Geo in Drupal, that's why! I can barely enable location on my sites now because I don't know what promises I can make to clients. Freaky. Don't tell anyone. That's something for my "secret" wall.
Alex Rollin
http://peerproducers.com