Google Maps has added some features recently that increase its usefulness several fold. One of them is My Maps–the ability to do mashups with just the locations you want with customized placemarkers. So, for example, I could create a map with virtual pushpins of houses I designed ( http://tinyurl.com/264ryt ), and link those to web pages, and even place that resulting map on my own web site.
Also, they’ve added a terrain view that gives me the sense of the lay of the land for the site of a new design. Add to that Elevation Contours and altitude. I used to be able to get that via separate USGS sites, but that required separate searches for the property. Now it’s one stop “shopping”.
It even can show the gas stations in an area along with current prices!
One new feature I saw mentioned but can’t find is collaboration–supposedly the ability to let several people work on a single map. http://www.webware.com/8301-1_109-9824424-2.html?tag=blg.orig Anyone know where this is? I’ve been waiting for just that, but don’t see the way to do it. [Edit: Between this AM and now, they added a “Collaborate” link.]
“In addition to terrain view, Google has also updated its My Maps service to allow several people collaborate on a single map. The company launched the service a few months ago, although notably missing–compared to some of their document sharing applications–was a way to use the service with others. You can now open up any saved map by toggling it right from the map itself. You can also invite specific individuals to participate, like you would a closed document.”
This could be a great marketing tool to show market penetration or reach. (Yeah, I know there are privacy issues.) It’s gone way beyond the Frappr mashups of even a year ago.
Anyone mess with this stuff or see additional uses?
Edited 11/28/2007 3:56 pm ET by CloudHidden
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Man,... that's a really great idea CH. I
stealget some of my best stuff from you it seems. I didn't even know that capability was there then as I opened my GoogleEarth app to see what version I had there it was in the Tip of the Day.I've got a foamcore push pin riddled map on my office wall that finally broke free and fell off the other day and was thinking that a map to show where we work would be great marketing piece for our next web site given the cachet some of venues we work in have.
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It turned out to be incredibly easy to create. My real goal is a map of all the sculpted concrete houses (domes, ferrocement, etc) so that people new to it develop a sense of how widespread it really is, but the sub-niches tend to isolate themselves rather than collaborate. Maybe something like this can overcome some of the resistance.Separately, I got DW and iPod Touch for Xmas. I'm playing with it...I mean...setting it up for her. OH MY GOD is it a thing of beauty. I sooooo can't wait for an iPhone that goes beyond ATT. Browsing was a blast. Its capabilities within this form factor are to the point where we might be better off calling it magic instead of technology.PS. This edit is being done through the ipod touch! I really like the keyboard. Much better than a phone keyboard, for example.
Edited 11/28/2007 5:52 pm ET by CloudHidden
Hey CH just picked this up reading through my RSS feeds this evening. Thought you'd be interested.
New Google Maps feature could simulate GPS on iPhones
I gonna hold out on an iPhone until at least January (post MacWorld Expo) in the hopes that I can get a hold of one of the next generation if they make a new product relese at that time (and price drop too).
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>I gonna hold out on an iPhone until at least JanuaryThe CEO of ATT just said G3 iPhone is coming next year. That's gotta thrill Jobs just as people are buying their Christmas presents. Might hold on a few months more!