An example of a post
Immediately following the Sumatra earthquake last month, we were able to create a Google Map which presents critical information to responding teams. You may view this map at http://www.humaninet.org/sumatra-map.html. Thanks to all who have sent us reports to post, and to Matt Blair and Joe Ludwig for posting the “balloons.” We are getting very positive feedback on the value of online mapped reports.
As in the Portland exercise earlier this year, we used the Google Spreadsheet mapper. It works (thanks to Joe) but it has a lot of quirks, as anyone who has used it well knows.
What nonprofit and humanitarian managers now need is a simple system that will enable volunteers and staff to enter data on a Web form, with the information automatically appearing on a Google Map. We call this “MapQuick.” We have checked with our fairly extensive network, including the folks at Google Outreach, and so far have not found anyone that has done this, at least not a system that is truly easy and usable for the average computer user, without middleware.
We envision a system that would be free to nonprofit users. We have the design and plan for development and have begun a campaign to fund the project. Stay tuned!
Gregg Swanson
October 21, 2009
