Notice the Wider maps?

You'll notice some maps have a new, wider format. This format will be available to other Map Managers in the coming weeks.

Send us feedback, and we'll update your map with a wider format.

Thanks,

Maps

Mapicurious Car GPS Review

I've seen a few GPS's this year for use in automobiles. If you will be purchasing one, or planning to receive one - some quick reviews based on the usability:

My Manufacturer Ranking:
1. Garmin - Garmin devices have the least cluttered map area. These devices are great for older users.
2. TomTom - TomTom devices have a similar uncluttered map, but it does have more options on the map. Probably best for younger users.
3. Magellan - Very slow calculating routes, and somewhat cluttered map. Could create confusion while driving.
4. Mio - Not recommended. Map is too cluttered with information. Would be great for small fingered navigators - not the driver.

A little disclosure:
Mapicurious.com is not paid to endorse or review these devices. Each of these devices were purchased at retail locations, and used to route around various US cities.

Happy Holidays,

Maps

Mapicurious GPS Holiday Gift Guide

Here is the official Mapicurious, "I need a GPS this Holiday Season", gift guide.

Hopefully these will help you create maps.

I've already got a digital camera, and I want to remember where I took the picture.

SONY GPS-CS1KA GPS Logger

Works with most newer digital cameras, not just Sony products. You turn on this device, wait for the unit to pick up GPS signals, and then start shooting pictures. This $149 device uses USB to download the GPS tracklog to your computer, and synchronizes your camera's pictures based on time the picture was taken with the GPS information from the device.

The device comes with software from Sony that merges the GPS data, but after that you can use your favorite photo editing software to manage pictures. When you upload these pictures to Flickr or Picasa, the GPS data is read and used to plot the photos on a map.

Happy Holidays,

Maps

Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs

A friend told me about her map. How do I find it?
If you don’t have a link to the map from your friend, you can use the “Search for Maps” function in the Mapicurious Navigation box. You can search their name or e-mail as a “Map Manager” or search for another term if you know some specifics about the map like the “Anchor City”, “Title” or “Description”.

Are you an owner of a listed business?
Congratulations on getting noticed! We offer some interesting options to get even more exposure such as the ability to place “rich media balloons” so a personalized message goes to visitors that happen upon your Mapicurious listing. Please contact us if you are interested in enhancing your brand.

How do I add a data point?
Adding data points is easy. If you have already registered as a Map Manager and entered the basic description for your map, you will see a “Data Point Editor”. Click on the “Create New Location” link and it will take you to a form. You will need to get the Latitude and Longitude for a particular address (geocode.com is a good place to go) and enter the rest of the information. If you don’t provide the coordinates, our scrubbers will fill it in, but it may take some time. After entering a data point, zoom in using the satellite or hybrid views to verify it’s mapped right.

How many data points can I add to a single map?
You can have up to 25 data points on a single map. Why 25? It’s a nice sounding number, plus you don’t want to make your map too cramped. If you have more data points, create another map, since it’s free!

How many maps can I manage?
As many as you want! Don’t worry, we’ve got plenty of storage space so create as many maps as your imagination desires.

What does being a Map Manager mean?
A Map Manager means you’re willing to share your geocentric experiences with the rest of the world.

Content Ideas for Fall

OK mapping community - Here are some Fall mapping ideas:

First of all, check out the waterfall maps (start with Waterfalls of GA, SC, & NC Vol 1). With the leaves changing - wouldn't these waterfalls be the place to visit this Fall?

Second of all, what other things could you map that are Fall related?

- Corn and pumpkin mazes
- Haunted Houses
- Bed & Breakfasts
- Great places to see Fall's color across the country
- Football maps - tailgating, travel blogs, etc
- Octoberfest celebrations

Hopefully these spark you....

Thanks,

Maps

Map Management for Real Estate Agents

A few Real Estate agents asked me about how they could highlight their businesses using a map on Mapicurious. So here are 5 simple ways to use a map in the Real Estate business.

1. Showcase clusters of homes you are selling and significant points in the neighborhood beyond the school systems and police stations. This establishes credibility that you really know this neighborhood. A great example of this kind of map is Catherine Nelke's Housing Map.

2. Create a driving tour of houses for a client to be downloaded into their car's GPS. You probably thought this service would cost a fortune to implement, but it is easy to do with Mapicurious. You will see either Garmin or GPX on each map's Locations sidebar.

3. Add your homes listings and business cards to Google Earth. When you create locations on Mapicurious, they are surfaced in Google Earth. Now you can do 3D fly-overs of the areas you are selling homes.

4. You already have a website, how about adding maps without paying a programmer. Each Mapicurious map can be embedded into your site to look as part of your own existing site.

5. Custom brand your maps, by adding picture packs, color schemes, and You Tube videos. If you read about vCards used on Mapicurious, you can see that people can download your electronic business card. Check out Green Key's map.

If you have any questions about how Mapicurious can differentiate your Real Estate business - send me an email.

Thanks,

Maps

Add a Point and the Fun Map

Sometimes you don't want to add a whole map, but just tell the world about a single location. Now you can add a point just by completing the form at http://www.mapicurious.com/addapoint.

These points will automatically be displayed on the Mapicurious Fun Map.

If you already manage map at Mapicurious, you still need to login and create a location for that map as you did previously. This feature is for the users that just want to broadcast one point.

Thanks,

Maps