I think mashups are a very useful tool, they are a great way of making a website look more interesting but most importantly bringing together elements from various sources that result in a better end product. I like the maps that have the pop-up things!
When I think of sources that could be used to make mashups I think of Google Books, Amazon, and Google Maps.
What could they be used for.....
Inspired by the running routes in London on the 21 Lunges page I think a map of Melbourne showing where the bike tracks are would be useful.
In regards to libraries.... the library catalogue could do with some mashup features. Book covers from google books or amazon could pop-up somewhere, contents pages (if not in the catalogue already) and for fiction maybe a blurb from the book. I think catalogues have the potential to be much more useful than they are currently. This is particularly important for remote users who can't easily get the book off the shelf to inspect it further.
Another thought for libraries.... maybe completely ridicilous! We could have a map of the library with pop-ups of information indicating the different parts of the collection, indicating broad subject areas, the different study areas, location of PCs and Macs. Maybe we could have a computer specifically with this to help people find there way around the library. And because they are photos of the library they could use features of the building to help them find their way around. Or maybe a mashup map on the library website to indicate changes that have occurred in the library. Just a thought......
Two mashup map URLs:
http://www.gurulib.com/
http://chicago.everyblock.com/crime/
1 comment:
Some really interesting thoughts there, Orange. Well done.
Did you know? I think the Chicago crime statistics you have linked to was one of the very first mashups?
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