Last week, we mentioned how Brian Cragin and his crew at The San Diego Union Tribune were using Google’s MyMaps function to plot the fast-changing fires around San Diego. I thought it was pretty nifty how Brian found a way to use Google’s own engines to benefit his readers. After all, Google’s been using its aggregators to eat our lunch for years, now.
Layne Smith of The Dallas Morning News has taken this idea one step further.
Layne has used Google to attach photos of Halloween decorations submitted by readers to Google maps. And it’s accessible only through The Dallas Morning News web site.
As Layne says at the News Artist Organization bulletin board:
Google map + “user-generated content” = happy bosses
We’ve been asking people for their photos for a few days and the response has been awful! We’re hoping that actually seeing the map with some examples on it will help people understand what’s up, and excite them about contributing. There might be an interesting lesson to be learned in that. That lesson might have something to do with motivating people to action. As my wife said when I asked her what she thought, “I got stuff to do.”
Just think what’ll happen when we allow readers to attach their own photos.
Sheer genius, Layne. Sheer genius.
Classes in video journalism
“Just think what’ll happen when we allow readers to attach their own photos.”
Stay tuned fella, stay tuned.
Um, Chuck, Layne is spelled with a “y”
Anybody want to hire a smart-ass graphics reporter?