Skip to main content
May 08
Love0

To Digg or not to Digg

By Blogging

Digital Urban has been running happily for over a year now and i think its far to say its a niche topic examining digital technologies and cities. The site has got some kind reviews and notability from various publications, both in print and digitally, but looking at the site stats it is still firmly in the niche market.

Many blogs will find themselves in the same position and there are a numerous articles online on how to increase traffic and therefore readership. Social networking sites are pointed at by a number of commentators as the way to increase traffic. Digg is one such example which the Wiki defines as

“a community-based popularity website with an emphasis on technology and science articles, recently expanding to a broader range of categories such as politics and entertainment. It combines social bookmarking, blogging, and syndication with a form of non-hierarchical, democratic editorial control”

We have recently taken the plunge and added a ‘Digg It’ button along with various other social bookmarking sites after each post. The button is slightly intrusive but allows Digg users to easily click and recommend the post. However, not all posts are world news worthy or cutting edge, so a number of posts may have ‘0 Diggs’ which looks bad on the front page so maybe Digg buttons are only relevant to larger sites with more traffic?

So the question is to Digg or not to Digg on a blog? We are going to give it a go, after all we have faith that posts such as our series of Tutorials or our Cities in Games section etc are noteworthy or else we wouldn’t be running the blog.

We will be running a series of thoughts and ideas on blogging, from a blog that was rated one of PC Pro Magazines Top 5 Web 2.0 blogs the series will cover our thoughts about blogging and stats – don’t believe all the hype from other sites…

The question is will anyone Digg this post or do you self start and Digg It yourself – now that is a question..

May 08
Love0

Google My Maps Bug (?) – Update 2

By Google My Maps

Another update – this seems to of been fixed, embedding video in Google My Maps seems to be working fine. We have added a new sample video, captured using the Nokia N95, to our map showing our location in Santa Barbara.

***

With regards the post below, Google have let us know that a fix in the in works – it should take 1-2 weeks before its live.

****

We are big fans of Google’s My Maps, it has allowed any level of user to create their own maps complete with polygons, lines and embedded data. We are however having a lot of difficulty with the embedding video feature.

In our previous post we examined how to embed video into My Maps – by simply cutting and pasting YouTube code. If you take a look at our My Maps page you can see an example of embedding video under the ‘Audio and Perception of Urban Space link’.

We have a series of other videos ready to embed via YouTube, detailing our recent travels, yet try as we may we cannot get the video to embed into My Maps. The problem seems to be with the save function – we can cut and paste YouTube code and view the video on the map but as soon as we save the video and the code is lost. Going back to re-edit the location reveals a blank box where the code was.

The interesting thing is that if we cut and paste the exisiting ‘Audio and Perception of Urban Space’ video this works and saves, the code is only lost if we change the link to a different movie.

It maybe a simple problem but its one that we are lost on… Any ideas?

May 07
Love0

Google My Maps – Map of the Week

By Google My Maps, Map of the Week

Time was if you wanted to go on a local walk you would either pick up a leaflet at the local tourism office or unfold a map and plan your own route. The release of Google My Maps, which allows you to create your own maps, is replacing this need with user generated local walking guides.

Pictured above is a walk around Chelsea, London created by Paul Thompson. The walking route takes you on a tour from Sloane Square, across to Partridges – The Queens Bakery – and round to take in a number of sites including where Charles Dickens got married in 1836.

Such routes add a new visual interface to the city and one that up until a few weeks ago would of taken either editing of XML and a Google API key or reliance on the various third party Google Mapping solutions. The ability to create and edit one’s own maps, complete with polygons, lines and embedded media should not be underestimated. Yet in today’s world of increasingly sophisticated, easy to use, and free software it is becoming commonplace to take such functionality for granted.

If you combine such features with hand held devices, such as the Nokia N95, you can automatically create such tours using the GPS features and tagging photographs to each location. See our Tutorial on GeoTagging Photographs on the N95 for more details.

Take a look at the Chelsea Walk in Google’s My Maps.

If you have created a map that you would like included in this new series of posts then let us know.

May 06
Love0

Embedding My Maps into Blogger

By Google My Maps

Embedding My Maps into blogger has taken a couple of weeks for various services to iron out but it now seems possible, complete with sidebar, icons and embedded video.



The map above was created using firstly Google My Maps and then embedded using the script service at My Maps Plus. The benefit of My Maps Plus is the ability to customise the look of your map and the elements you want to include.

Embedding your map into Blogger, or any website, is easy – you simple copy your Google My Maps KML link and then choose various display options. My Maps Plus then creates a script that you cut and paste into your page.

We will be working on a permanent map for the side bar, but for now the map above contains Video on the ‘Audio and Perception of Urban Space’ link, our current location, recent travels and Geolocated photographs using the Nokia N95.

Double click to zoom in and out/ double click and drag to pan.

Sure its a little squashed on the page but i think its usable…?

Close Menu

About Salient

The Castle
Unit 345
2500 Castle Dr
Manhattan, NY

T: +216 (0)40 3629 4753
E: hello@themenectar.com

Archives