I've been on the The Huffington Post Media Group's case for some time. The group owns and runs both the Patch series of online local news sites and MapQuest. However, until today all illustrative maps I've seen for stories have been created using Google Maps. I even pinged one editor about it. He noted:
When I originally set out to create the map, I wanted to make it a heat map. As someone with limited programming skills, I was looking for a simple way to make a heat map. Through some brief research, I learned that Google Fusion Tables could be used to make a heat map. Even though the heat map didn't turn out as I'd hoped, I already had input my data into Google Fusion Tables, and thus ended up using a Google-based map.
I'm pleased to say that I found my first MapQuest Map Mashup in the wild on May 4. A Branford, CT Patch article discusses an open space celebration in the town and includes a simple point map.
Will similar MapQuest maps appear in other Patch outlets? I hope so!
