Wednesday, March 22, 2006

But Can This Power be Harnessed for Good?

Some of you may be familiar with the Gawker Stalker Map controversy. Personally, I think this is a pretty despicable slimely use of technology. Okay, celebrities make us feel bad about ourselves because we will never be that rich or good-looking, but is that any reason to trample their last shreds of privacy and personal safety? Hell, if someone posted all of my movements on an interactive map, I'd be pretty pissed off too even though that kind of information would be of interest to about 0.25 people. (Hey, I wonder where Cupcake is. Oh. The Wing Wagon. Again.)

But SuperSkater has an idea about how we could use this information to actually help people. Namely, Cupcake's Interactive Cupcake Map. From an email SuperSkater wrote:

Do you have the technology to make a map of NYC with numbered icons of
where different cupcake places are located? Sort of like the new updated
version of Gawker Stalker -though I actually prefer the old version sans
pictures, the example is for a visual guide only. I know when I'm
wandering the city, I'm often struck with the thought "is there a decent cupcake
place nearby?" Of cource I am very loyal to Sugar Sweet Sunshine, but
getting to the LES when I'm in Chelsea just isn't going to happen (even if I
could justify extra calorie consumption due to extra walking to get
there). Plus, I have always wanted to try all of the places you list on
your blog, but I lack the follow through to check each individual site and write
it all down. But with the visual reminder of a map, on my next shopping
trip I'd be able to say, 'oh, I'm at 43rd and 6th, I'm pretty close to
________________ ."


So, here's a question for all you geeks out there: is this possible? Could I create a map of all the cupcake bakeries in Manhattan and Brooklyn and post my reviews and allow other people to post comments? Come on, let's open this Internet thing up and see what it can really do.

6 comments:

MCMCMCLY said...

Please hold. The next available associate will assisit you...

Cupcake said...

Come on, people, you know there's a Nobel Prize in this.

MCMCMCLY said...

Here's your answer. It's not overly complicatesd if you can find a web host for the needed XML file. The article suggests a free service.

Ok, I tried to be all fancy and hyperlink this but blooger sucks so you'll have to cpoy and paste it.

http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/08/how-to-make-your-own-annotated-multimedia-google-map/

Clementine said...

I can't believe Mcmcmcly actually knows how to do this! I'm impressed. Maybe this function will help me when I publish my soon-to-be bestseller, The Greater Boston Guide to Onion Rings. I assure you, it's well-researched.

Cupcake said...

I told you, the Cupcake Mafia comes through. No question is too difficult. Unfortunately PatriotDave, this is way over my head.

Big strong man help puny cupcake brain soon?

MCMCMCLY said...

Well i can do the xml stuff - yes i am just that lonely. But I dunno where you are gonna find a place to host it. Blogger shure won't let you, and most of those free hosting sites a shady shady shady.