Ever wanted to put your favorite spots on the map? Now Google Maps is putting the power in your hands with its Map Maker Tool. Ever hear of citizen journalism? Welcome to “citizen cartography.” This tool allows users to go on Google’s global map service and edit/add locations on the map that may not be present or up to par. Users are allowed to add venues, plots of land (i.e. parking lots), rail lines, and more with the stroke of a key. Existing venues can also be edited so you can add a review or description to your favorite restaurant or nightclub.
The feature has been compared to Wiki sites such as Wikipedia and others because of its user-generated/edited content. However, unlike Wikis, Google must approve each change before it goes live on the map. This provides a happy medium behind user-generated content and accuracy that many Wikis come under fire for lacking.
Google’s Map Maker is not completely new, the technology has been available and promoted in other countries since 2005. In fact, this past March Google posted on it’s blog about 50 women from Nairobi, Kenya that got together and mapped out their entire city. Now Google is calling on the United States to fill in the blanks and improve the mapping of this country in all corners. I can’t really say cartography was ever a hobby of mine but hey, maybe I’ll go do some exploring!
To read more about Google Maps, check out the posting by The Associated Press