| I asked a colleague from work today if he had | | | | their destination, and where they are on |
| any news about new Internet phenomena that | | | | their route (in approximate real-time). |
| would be cool to check out. He told me about | | | | |
| the concept of social software. Social | | | | is a site link that takes you to a map |
| software is where someone takes an existing | | | | where you can click on hundreds of traffic |
| computer program and combines it with another | | | | cameras around Toronto, Canada to actually |
| idea to make it more personalized for people. | | | | see real photos of current traffic conditions |
| A perfect example of this comes in the form | | | | in a specific area. is a cool site to see |
| of a new craze taking over the world: Google | | | | and download professional photos taken in |
| Map mash-ups. is already a cool site that has | | | | different locations around the world. I had a |
| taken a personalized approach to many | | | | quick look at the game called where you are |
| different ways of helping people. For | | | | asked to find certain images around our whole |
| example, I typed in 'Pizza restaurants' into | | | | planet. It doesn't look easy!The list of |
| the finder with the name of the town my | | | | links related to this single new form of |
| father lives in near Atlanta, Georgia, USA | | | | social software on is very impressive. I'm |
| and it showed me exactly where all the pizzas | | | | interested in finding out about other forms |
| were, the names of the restaurants, and | | | | of combined software that could help humanity |
| contact details (if I wished to place an | | | | in a social context. My friend mentioned that |
| order over the phone). Pretty cool. This is | | | | he'd read an article about a proposed travel |
| only the tip of the iceberg. Other people | | | | site that would rate the relevance of user's |
| around the world have taken the Google Map | | | | comments in relation to your own personal |
| software and combined it with their personal | | | | statistics. For example, if your are a 20 |
| interests to create a whole array of exciting | | | | year old male, a 60 year old woman's remarks |
| maps filled with photos and information. The | | | | about a hotel will be rated as of less |
| ultimate site to check some out is me give | | | | importance compared with another person who |
| you an idea of what people are doing out | | | | falls into a similar social category to |
| there on the Internet to make the world a | | | | yourself.This is an interesting and exciting |
| more informed place. I'm planning on going to | | | | craze. I can see clearly how these specific |
| live in Japan pretty soon. Well at I could | | | | idea-based maps will be able to help humanity |
| find a map of the Kansai region (where I will | | | | in so many ways. However, all things in life |
| probably live) which showed me exactly where | | | | are balanced so we do have to draw a line |
| all the vegetarian restaurants are, the type | | | | sometimes. Another friend at work told me a |
| of cultural food each was (E.g.: Sri Lankan), | | | | story about an angry mob that stood waiting |
| a photo of the establishment, as well as all | | | | outside a house that an Internet sex |
| the relevant information-including reviews. | | | | offenders' site informed them of a predator |
| You can tell I'm a connoisseur, or at least I | | | | in their local neighborhood. The thing is the |
| attempt to be one. Let's go elsewhere.The | | | | site hadn't been updated when the ex-convict |
| site has map categories like current events, | | | | had moved from the house, so an innocent |
| transportation, weather, wireless and mobile, | | | | person had their house picketed for something |
| housing and real estate, business, stats and | | | | that was totally unrelated to them. On the |
| demographics, employment, recreation and | | | | positive side of the coin, I do think that |
| fitness, events and sport, travel and | | | | the possible future innovations even in this |
| tourism, and even maps of crime and sex | | | | one area of Internet-mapping could in itself |
| offenders-that's a little weird for me, but | | | | have awesome results for human society.By |
| some people obviously are keen to keep their | | | | Jesse S. Somer |
| families safe at all costs. There is also | | | | |
| Google map games that people have created, | | | | |
| and you can download tools to create a map of | | | | |
| your own.At you can see a map with some | | | | Jesse S. Somer is quite pleased that by |
| pictures of the best pubs in London. Under | | | | simply turning on the Internet he can now |
| current events, and you know how 'positive' | | | | find a map with photos of the best sushi |
| current events are, at you can see a map | | | | restaurants in Kyoto, Japan. |
| with all of the places where avian flu | | | | |
| outbreaks have occurred. At you can look at | | | | Jesse S. Somer is a creative writer working |
| a map of the USA and click on houses for sale | | | | at M6.Net: 'The web-hosting company for |
| in a city you'd like to go to. You get the | | | | humans.' M6.Net is working hard to help |
| house's address, cost, and many of them have | | | | humanity experience the power and freedom to |
| photos as well.There's a lot of this kind of | | | | develop their own part of the Internet, to |
| thing in America, but the craze is spreading | | | | share their information and connect with |
| to other countries too. is a site that shows | | | | anyone, anywhere, anytime. |
| you all of the trains in Dublin, Ireland, | | | | |