The Internet May Be A Different World, But It Still Maps To Home

from the where-are-you? dept

There's talk about how, when you're online, your physical location means very little. However, the folks over at Topix.net are showing that where someone is sitting can still be quite useful. Last week, the company explained how it actually was able to keep flames to a minimum in its new forums by posting the geographic location of each commenter with his or her post. They're using a geolocator service and a bit of quick weekend programming to do their best to add just enough info to make people act a bit more civil. However, once they had that geolocation info, they just couldn't stop, and now they're coming up with some other useful apps, including a new map showing exactly where the conversations are taking place. It's worth poking around. So far, it only covers the US, but shows how widespread discussions are. The coverage pretty much matches up with population density, with a few interesting caveats. Topix.net CEO Rich Skrenta noted that San Francisco and Seattle don't have as much discussion as other areas -- but bets that's because both cities have pretty strong online community offerings in place already. Still, what's most interesting is how the simple understanding of where someone actual is seems to humanize them much more than just seeing the text on the screen -- and how seeing the map gives you a better sense of just how widespread the conversations can really be.

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  1.  

    No Subject Given

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    Ben McNelly, Feb 15th, 2006 @ 8:17am

    hmm, lets see.. I think we should take advantage of google maps and this tech, and have a flame button on our forms. Someone flaming your rear?? Just push the flame button and google spits out a satilite image of thier location. also pops up 2 windows. How to stalk and kill 101, on amazon books, and buygunsonline.com - for all your firearm needs (macheties and chain-saws available)

    reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  2.  

    Re: No Subject Given

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    Anonymous Coward, Feb 15th, 2006 @ 9:07am

    ...and what happens when that person is using a proxy? does this crazy person who just got flamed now begin stalking the owner of this proxy - the business, school or even library's owner?

    I can just see it now, "mad man kills 15 people with pocket PCs at the local Starbucks... details at 11pm"

    reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  3.  

    Topix.net Maps

    identicon
    Wyvern, Feb 15th, 2006 @ 11:00am

    It really does not work worth a crap, point in fact, I am not in Chicago, but my T1 comes off of a Chicago backbone.

    reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  4.  

    Re: Topix.net Maps

    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Feb 15th, 2006 @ 12:20pm

    same here, Im on Pacbell.net and it says I'm in either in SanDiego or SanFrancisco. I am really in LosAngeles :P

    reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

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