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category archive listing Category Archives: mapping

Singles dead zone revealed!

Apparently there are NO SINGLE PEOPLE in the states of MT, WY, ND, and SD.*

*Livestock statistics not included
Seriously, this interactive singles map is fun. I just wish there was a poly version!
Thanks to Allan Jenkins for the pointer.

Everyblock’s New Geocoding Fixes

Adrian Holovaty. (Image by Additive Theory via Flickr)

Recently I wrote about how a Los Angeles Police Dept. geocoding data glitch yielded inaccurate crime maps at LAPDcrimemaps.org and the database-powered network of hyperlocal sites, Everyblock.
On Apr. 8, Everyblock founder Adrian Holovaty blogged about the two ways his company is addressing the problem of inaccurate geodata.

Latitude/longitude crosschecking. [...]

Los Angeles Police Geocoding Error Skews Crime Maps

Crime maps are one of the most popular and (in urban areas) ubiquitous types of geo-enabled local news — and they’re a staple of the Knight News Challenge-funded project Everyblock. This data comes from local police departments — but how reliable is it?
On Sunday, the Los Angeles Times reported a problem with the Los Angeles [...]

Google Earth and News: Make Your Own Street Views (and More)

The Flatirons of Boulder, CO, as rendered by Google Earth. (Image via Wikipedia)

Recently Frank Taylor blogged about a cool Google Earth trick that could be an intriguing visual online news tool: homemade street views.
The example he cites is from Taiwan, where developer Steven Ho lives. Taylor wrote:
“[Ho] has been waiting for signs Google would bring [...]

Google: Could I import my custom maps to my iPhone, please?

Image by niallkennedy via Flickr

This week I’m headed to the Bay Area for an extended visit. I have lots of friends there and there are plenty of cool things to do there. I’ve started mapping all this stuff on a private Google Map — where I’ll be staying, nearby public transit stops, gyms, massage clinics, [...]

Gigapan: Pictures you can really get into

Gigapan isn’t brand new, but it’s a fascinating visual tool that allows people to deeply explore panoramic photographs — and to collaboratively tell stories through pictures.
It’s part of Carnegie Mellon University’s Global Connection Project
What’s so cool about Gigapan?

Conveys a strong sense of place — almost a 3D feel
People can create their own experience with snapshots
Provide [...]

Twitter Vote Report Map for Georgia

Right now I’m producing an excellent post Barbara Iverson just wrote for Poynter’s E-Media Tidbits on Twitter Vote Report. Here’s an example Google Map she mentioned that shows data from this project:

This map shows Georgia, filtering for long waits and “bad” reports.

Boulder Naked Pumpkin Runners = Sex Offenders? COME ON!

Scene of Boulder’s 2008 Naked Pumpkin Run busts, plus two nearby real (violent) crimes earlier that same day.

UPDATE NOV 4. The names of the 12 busted streakers have been published, so I’m following up on this case via local courts…
On Halloween, as I wrote earlier, I went down to Boulder, CO’s Pearl St. pedestrian mall [...]

Some REALLY cool news maps

National Geographic

Not surprisingly, National Geographic does an amazing job of using Google Earth to tell compelling stories and get more mileage out of its articles, photos, and other content.

Yesterday I went on a major learning/exploration binge online. I love days like that, when the information and connections all seem to be flowing. Anyway, thanks to [...]

What are your favorite interactive news maps?

ePodunk.com

Even a very simple interactive map can tell a powerful news story.

Tomorrow I’m being interviewed by Adena Schutzberg for the Directions on the News podcast, which I’ve mentioned before on Poynter’s E-Media Tidbits. We’ll discuss some of our favorite news maps and why they’re cool, engaging, and useful.
I need your help: What are some of [...]