Platial Releases Distributed Maps

Platial, a community-based geotagging and mapmaking site, has released a mapping widget called Mapkit. Mapkit allows you to easily add a Platial map to your website and allows you and your site's visitors to add places and annotate them. The maps will be ad-supported.

Getting the maps is simple. They require the hosting URL, a title, a Platial login and a starting location (for the map to be centered). To keep the process flowing smoothly they will register your Google Maps key. Finally, you are given the code and it can be pasted into any page that accepts JavaScript. Customization tools and bulk location imports via text files are available. Once they are on your site your users can start manipulating your map, add points, and blog about locations.

Making rich interactive map interfaces this easy to distribute will bringing geotagging even closer to the MySpace masses. Having access to simple mapping is what has made sites like Platial and Frappr as popular as they are, but the thing had always been missing is the ability to easily have an interactive map on your own page. This is smart for Platial. The data entered on these disparate sites will end up back in its databases. It will also greatly increase their ad inventory.

Update: PT showed me how someone has used Platial's maps to show where all of the Maker shops are. Enjoy!

Allyn [ 1 November 2006 07:18 PM]

I would like to add that there is no support for Wordpress blogs and some others at this time. I spoke with Platial and they state that support is coming via the various blog developers and should be available soon.

Search Engines WEB [ 1 November 2006 11:33 PM]

:-)

This is a good Web resource -- setup only took a few minutes -- from registration to Map Creation and Customization.

They will even get the Google API for you so that you do not have to leave their site; and each member is given their own homepage.

jason wilson [ 2 November 2006 09:03 AM]

There is a chart on the Platial Blog showing the current state of compatability with the various services.

Thanks

Platial Releases Distributed Maps

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