How To: Different ways to use Google maps...
I've recently been playing mashup with Google Maps, and I still believe very strongly that journalists can use them more effectively as both a reporting tool and as a richly graphic way to display information on newspaper/ magazine websites.
Here are a few ideas after my morning brainstorming session:
Map + Schedule = graphic interface showing travel dates
Applications: sports schedules, personal schedules, political campaigns
Map + Travel information = interactive travel guide
Applications: see NYTimes Travel
Map + Health Desk = maps showing demographic and health information
Applications: obesity charts, spread of disease/ epidemic, hyper-local flu information
Map + Real Estate listings = property value/ taxation survey
Applications: local income:housing cost disparities, neighborhood tax:services disparities
Map + Nightlife Events = ad-driven listings database
Application = monetized nightlife calendar (bonus! add RSS feeds by event category)
For more inspiration, have a look at the unofficial Google Maps Mania site. API detail on how it's done at ProgrammableWeb.com. Craigslist + Google housing price map.
Please note: I'm not commenting here on the integrity of reporting on any of these sites - I just want to show you what's possible.
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