Monday, April 21. 2008

Help Wanted: Conversations on Google Map

This from Adriaan:

I would like to show you an idea that I have been pushing. It would allow for people to talk straight on the Google Map. Everyone could place a conversation anywhere on the map and then others can join in. The conversation would stay for as long as there is some activity.

This would immediately make the Google map into the place to meet your neighbors and discuss neighborhood issues. Something that is sorely missed I believe. website

Could you have a look and maybe give me a comment, as an expert on map ideas. If you could show it on your blog it would be interesting to make it come alive with your help. Get someone to build it. My own interest is that I want to get in touch with clever developers who can help me on another idea of mine.

It is the simplicity that makes it strong, I hope you agree.

Posted by Adena Schutzberg in Google at 06:00 | Comments (7) | Trackbacks (0) |

Comments

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The idea is compelling - as all items, conversations have a place - why not georeference those place together with the stories?

Anyway - the resolution and density provided by Google Maps, LiveMaps and Yahoo!Maps don't seem to be sufficient.

We've set up a showcase that shows much more detail and additional zoom levels than other mapping platforms.

Please have a loook at http://unitedmaps.net and please tell us what you think - critics welcome!

#1 United Maps (Link) on 2008-04-21 08:37 (Reply)

I think it is a good idea. On a similar note, I would be more interested in finding out events that are happening in the community around me. For example, It would be great to know all the games that are being played in SBC park in San Francisco. Or when are the public meetings held by the city council in my city. Or even a charity drive happening at a school near me. I realize it would be difficult to get all this information.

#2 Irfan Tusneem on 2008-04-21 13:07 (Reply)

I think Irfan is on to something here. Many of our regional and local newspapers have a calendar or a "happenings" section that lists what is going on in the community. Now that we can read most of our large and local newspapers online, why not have the calendar section displayed on a map so that in a very few moments someone could see what is happening all over the community instead of just reading the headlines in text? Seems like it would be a natural fit for Chambers of Commerce or municipal websites.

#2.1 Rick Marshall (Link) on 2008-04-22 08:20 (Reply)

It is just meant to mimic life. You have a walk around your house and you chat a little with the people you bump into.

Nothing more, nothing less. But a world of difference from not having any contact at all.

Of course you could add a ton of features, but features=clutter. Maybe it is just fine like this, leave the rest for later.

#3 Adriaan (Link) on 2008-04-21 19:00 (Reply)

That idea's already been brain-flushed a few times in various circles. What youre looking at it basically a placemark that links to a voice-chat application -- not difficult.

#4 Daniel (Link) on 2008-04-21 19:15 (Reply)

It is not a voice chat. You can type a message. Someone else can type a response days later.

You can get a conversation around a subject, much like you get a conversation around a video on YouTube in the comments.

#5 adriaan on 2008-04-21 19:19 (Reply)

Already being done in Google Earth (and Maps) for a couple years now. Look through the Google Earth community discussion board or at Frank's Google Earth blog for more information on how it's been established.

The ideal app that's been discussed in circles on my end though would be a voice-chat conference placemark -- or a network conversation through VoIP, such as Skype. The even more ideal app -- would be to allow all those network connections to synch simultaneously, so that a discussion can be held and the view moved interactively, based on any one participant's presentation. That way, it makes it an even more useful conference application centered on geospatial intelligence and use.

#5.1 Daniel (Link) on 2008-04-22 17:22 (Reply)

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In reply to	[ Top level ]#1: United Maps on 2008-04-21 08:37 #2: Irfan Tusneem on 2008-04-21 13:07   #2.1: Rick Marshall on 2008-04-22 08:20 #3: Adriaan on 2008-04-21 19:00 #4: Daniel on 2008-04-21 19:15 #5: adriaan on 2008-04-21 19:19   #5.1: Daniel on 2008-04-22 17:22
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