Collaborative mapping
Encyclopedia
Collaborative mapping is the aggregation of web maps
and user-generated content
, from a group of individuals or entities, and can take several distinct forms.
) or Wikipedia articles' locations (Placeopedia
). Collaborative implies the possibility of edition by several distinct individuals so the term would tend to exclude applications such as wayfaring where the maps are not meant for the general user to modify.
adds user-generated place names and descriptions to locations. Collaborative mapping and specifically surface sharing faces the same problems as revision control
, namely concurrent access issues and versioning. In addition to these problems, collaborative maps must deal with the difficult issue of cluttering, due to the geometric constraints inherent in the media. One approach to this problem is using overlays.
fashion. If each user's revisions are contained in an overlay, the issue of revision control and cluttering can be mitigated.
Several big internet companies launched mapping applications with collaborative features, most importantly Google Maps with the Google Map Maker
feature. Although Google allows flexible mash up
style use of their raster map images, the MapMaker system presents a one-way flow at the level of raw map data, from the community to Google (with the exception of some areas where special provision of shapefiles have been granted for humanitarian reasons). Contrast this with the similar non-corporate collaborative mapping system, OpenStreetMap
, which allows all raw map data to be downloaded freely and openly via API requests or full "planet" download.
Web mapping
Web mapping is the process of designing, implementing, generating and delivering maps on the World Wide Web and its product. While web mapping primarily deals with technological issues, web cartography additionally studies theoretic aspects: the use of web maps, the evaluation and optimization of...
and user-generated content
User-generated content
User generated content covers a range of media content available in a range of modern communications technologies. It entered mainstream usage during 2005 having arisen in web publishing and new media content production circles...
, from a group of individuals or entities, and can take several distinct forms.
Types
Collaborative Mapping applications vary depending on which feature the collaborative edition takes place: on the map itself (shared surface), or on overlays to the map. A very simple collaborative mapping application would just plot users' locations (Social mapping or geosocial networkingGeosocial networking
Geosocial Networking is a type of social networking in which geographic services and capabilities such as geocoding and geotagging are used to enable additional social dynamics. User-submitted location data or geolocation techniques can allow social networks to connect and coordinate users with...
) or Wikipedia articles' locations (Placeopedia
Placeopedia
Placeopedia was an online gazetteer which integrates Google Maps images and Wikipedia encyclopedia articles using user-generated content...
). Collaborative implies the possibility of edition by several distinct individuals so the term would tend to exclude applications such as wayfaring where the maps are not meant for the general user to modify.
Shared surface
In this kind of application, the map itself is created collaboratively by sharing a common surface. For example WikiMapiaWikimapia
WikiMapia is a privately owned, online map and satellite imaging resource that combines Google Maps with a wiki system, allowing users to add information, in the form of a note, to any location on Earth. Users may currently use this information for free...
adds user-generated place names and descriptions to locations. Collaborative mapping and specifically surface sharing faces the same problems as revision control
Revision control
Revision control, also known as version control and source control , is the management of changes to documents, programs, and other information stored as computer files. It is most commonly used in software development, where a team of people may change the same files...
, namely concurrent access issues and versioning. In addition to these problems, collaborative maps must deal with the difficult issue of cluttering, due to the geometric constraints inherent in the media. One approach to this problem is using overlays.
Overlays
Overlays group together items on a map, allowing the user of the map to toggle the overlay's visibility and thus all items contained in the overlay. The application uses map tiles from a third-party (for example one of the mapping APIs) and adds its own collaboratively-edited overlays to them, sometimes in a WikiWiki
A wiki is a website that allows the creation and editing of any number of interlinked web pages via a web browser using a simplified markup language or a WYSIWYG text editor. Wikis are typically powered by wiki software and are often used collaboratively by multiple users. Examples include...
fashion. If each user's revisions are contained in an overlay, the issue of revision control and cluttering can be mitigated.
Commercial context
According to Edward Mac Gillavry there is a dichotomy between corporate projects and user-driven projects. With corporate initiatives generally using a one-way information flow from the service provider to the subscriber and user driven projects generally being characterized by a two way information flow.Several big internet companies launched mapping applications with collaborative features, most importantly Google Maps with the Google Map Maker
Google Map Maker
Google Map Maker is a service launched by Google in June 2008, designed to expand the breadth of the service currently offered by Google Maps. In some countries mapping data is unavailable, and so to combat this problem Google has decided to open up Google Maps to a collaborative community effort...
feature. Although Google allows flexible mash up
Mashup (digital)
A digital mashup usually is in reference to:1. Digital media content containing any or all of text, graphics, audio, video and animation drawn from pre-existing sources, to create a new derivative work...
style use of their raster map images, the MapMaker system presents a one-way flow at the level of raw map data, from the community to Google (with the exception of some areas where special provision of shapefiles have been granted for humanitarian reasons). Contrast this with the similar non-corporate collaborative mapping system, OpenStreetMap
OpenStreetMap
OpenStreetMap is a collaborative project to create a free editable map of the world. Two major driving forces behind the establishment and growth of OSM have been restrictions on use or availability of map information across much of the world and the advent of inexpensive portable GPS devices.The...
, which allows all raw map data to be downloaded freely and openly via API requests or full "planet" download.
See also
- WikiMapiaWikimapiaWikiMapia is a privately owned, online map and satellite imaging resource that combines Google Maps with a wiki system, allowing users to add information, in the form of a note, to any location on Earth. Users may currently use this information for free...
- 10cookies.com
- Google Map MakerGoogle Map MakerGoogle Map Maker is a service launched by Google in June 2008, designed to expand the breadth of the service currently offered by Google Maps. In some countries mapping data is unavailable, and so to combat this problem Google has decided to open up Google Maps to a collaborative community effort...
- Geo-wikiGeo-wikiIn recent years the ability to collect spatial information from volunteers has greatly expanded through the combination of , geo-tagged photos and the Internet...
- OpenStreetMapOpenStreetMapOpenStreetMap is a collaborative project to create a free editable map of the world. Two major driving forces behind the establishment and growth of OSM have been restrictions on use or availability of map information across much of the world and the advent of inexpensive portable GPS devices.The...
- BhuvanBhuvanBhuvan, , is a software application which allows users to explore a 3D representation of the surface of the Earth. The browser is specifically tailored to view India, offering the highest resolution in this region. A beta version was launched on 12 August 2009.- Overview :ISRO launched the beta...
- List of wikis
- List of GPS Software for Mobile Phones
- NeogeographyNeogeographyNeogeography literally means "new geography" , and is commonly applied to the usage of geographical techniques and tools used for personal and community activities or for utilization by a non-expert group of users...
- Public Participation GISPublic Participation GISPublic participation geographic information systems was born, as a term, in 1996 at the meetings of the National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis . PPGIS is meant to bring the academic practices of GIS and mapping to the local level in order to promote knowledge production...
- Geosocial networkingGeosocial networkingGeosocial Networking is a type of social networking in which geographic services and capabilities such as geocoding and geotagging are used to enable additional social dynamics. User-submitted location data or geolocation techniques can allow social networks to connect and coordinate users with...
- Participatory GISParticipatory GISAs defined by the participants in the Mapping for Change International Conference which took place in Nairobi, Kenya in September 2005, Participatory GIS is an emergent practice in its own right; developing out of participatory approaches to planning and spatial information and communication...
- Participatory 3D Modelling (P3DM)
- FracTracker - Tracking the impacts of the natural gas industry using public and volunteered geographic information: Blog & DataTool
- openBmap - Collaborative mapping of wireless communicating objects - cellular antennas, wifi hot spots