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More than once when I've read a member's post that seemed particularly helpful, I've wondered if that person lives in the same general area as me. So I'll glance over to the user info summary section next to their post to check. But usually that info is worthless. More recently, I simply was wishing I could look at a map and see more specifically where users were located, so that I could more easily evaluate which other users I might actually be able to connect with in person; whether it's for help or just for fun. Additionally, I thought it would be neat to visualize the density of users in different regions.
Fast forward to now - I put together an interactive Google Map to do just that.
Here is a summary of how I structured the map and how you can enter in your data and use the map.
First, the data (as this is where I predict anyone's reservations would stem). There are only 5 data elements.
• User Name: RX7Club user name, for me, I entered Cloud9
• Generation: The moniker for your generation of RX7, mine is FD
• Zip: The zip or postal code for where you live. I figured this was specific enough to actually be useful but as its not someone's actual address, should alleviate privacy concerns
• State/Provance: The state in which you live
• Country: The country in which you live
Instruction for how to enter data and use the map. The screen shots below are to assist in conveying the instructions.
Critial first step: You must have and be logged into your google account to enter any data. You can still look at it, though, if you aren't logged in or don't have one.
When you visit that link, it will be fully zoomed in to my zip code (I presume it's because I'm the only one in the data set as of writing this). Zoom the map out so you can at least get a full view of the U.S.
Steps to add yourself to the map:
1. Click on the "Add marker" icon below the search bar. The curser will change to a crosshair.
2. Left click anywhere on the map and an information window will pop up.
3. Enter in your data just how I summarized above and how its sampled in the image below.
4. Click save.
The map will now zoom-in to the location you entered and you will see an RX7Club icon on the map that represents your location. Now you can zoom back out to see where your icon is located in relation to any others on the map.
On the left side of the page, there is a window where you can see a list of members that are on the map. Simply click the drop down icon below where it says "RX7Club Members" and the list will expand to show all the names. You can click on any name in the list to be taken to their location. This will also expand an information box above their name to show the data they entered. This is where you would see what generation RX7 they have. You can also click on any RX7Club icon on the map or enter a username in the search bar (but if that doesn't work they're probably not in the data set)
Closing note - Allowing anyone to makes edits to the map in order to add themselves also means they can delete themselves, if for whatever reason someone wants to remove themselves from the list. Additionally, that means anyone can delete someone elses entry as well, so please be good neighbors (figuratively). If you accidentally click a trashcan icon and delete something you didn't mean to, an "Undo" link should appear at the top of the page that you can click.
That's about it. I'm hopeful a good portion of the community will find this interesting enough to participate. As I think the resulting information could be a neat resource for community members. But if nothing else, maybe a fun little experiment. Let me know what you all think.
Awesome, I see you on there now! Thanks for sharing! This could be really cool if people participate.
I really hoped this would get more attention, too. Really could be a great resource for members. I struggled with where to post this initially because I suspected this section might not get much traffic and I may have even underestimated just how little that actually is haha.
For anyone that either doesn't have a Google account or doesn't want to enter anything. I can easily add anyone on their behalf. Just share the following information and I will put you on the map!
This is pretty cool, I've often thought the same thing (where is everybody really?). I agree, this might get more attention if it was posted in a more traffic'd area of the forum. I personally don't visit Area51 unless changing something profile related.
Thanks guys! It's cool to see the distribution start to take shape. I would love to see this reach a point where a member could reference the map and ask someone that they didn't originally know was local to them to help on a project. Or perhaps if someone is traveling to another city for whatever reason, someone could reach out to a member in the area to meet up for a beer or whatever.
Where do you all think this should have been posted? I could make another thread - I put it here because it seemed like the only place that abided by the rules.
I agree its tough to tell where to put this. I know Gen2n3 is taking suggestions for the site layout right now, if you asked him perhaps he might be able to create a spot for it or suggest a location?
That's a really cool idea. I'm added to the map. Cloud9 sent me a PM and I replied on some recommendations. One concern is about multiple users in the same ZIP code. Currently, there is no separation between users in the same ZIP. The function of the map overlays one user on top another within the same ZIP. For example, does anyone see the user Test4Overlap in my area? Does it only show it or Gen2n3?
Great idea. Thanks for making it available. Multiples in the same zip could pose a problem when it really catches on. The biggest problem I see is making folks aware of its existence.
Is it intentional that some of the user locations on this map seem to drill down to the exact house? Seems like the intention was just to go to the city/zip code level from the thread.
I set this up so user's can't put in their full address even if they want to. I believe you're talking about where the location icon, or pin, is shown when you fully zoom in on the map. This is not actually representing the specific location where someone lives but Google maps is centrally placing the icon within the zip code provided. For example, my pin is Cloud9 but the location marked on the map, if you zoom in, is not actually where I live within that zip code. If another user marked themselves as living in that same zip code, the icons, or pins, would display directly on top of each other.
If someone put in their zip code and the pin was shown directly on their residence, that would purely be by coincidence.
However, if you're talking about something else entirely please let me know.
No, that clears it up. I haven't done a lot of work with Google Maps but when I've worked with Mapbox and other mapping software I guess I just never saw the random zipcode locations land on actual residential plots.
Just wanted to make sure Google wasn't pulling in account location data from sources other than what users were entering. Sometimes they get a little clever trying to improve accuracy.
12-13-18, 05:45 PM
