Week 6: Maps, mashups and more...continued

I started to read the articles on creating mashups and quickly realised that I have no idea how to use Javascript or APIs so instead here are a couple of mashups that I found interesting (other than Google maps but I have already talked enough about that for now). The first mashup that I found was Gig Pig a site that makes use of LastFM, Google static maps, Google maps, Google Chart and Discogs. The site runs entirely on user generated data and provides information on concerts and music news. Users are able to access information on the location of events using Google maps and Google static maps. As well as chart the popularity of bands, events and the reliability of the information provided on the site using Google charts. Gig Pig is also uses the last FM an online radio station and Discogs a music database site to provide users with information regarding their favourite bands and future events. If Gig pig added You Tube and Flickr the site would also be able to allow users to upload and view their own pictures and videos of events and personalize their accounts. Another mashup that I like that at present only utilizes Google maps and Wikipedia is Wiki Crimes. The site acts a means for users to digitally map the occurrence of crime around the world. An interesting application of this site would be for the digital tracking and policing of ‘missing’ library resources. Allowing repeat offenders to be tracked down and punished by elite militant library staff… In the field of library and information management real time digitat GPS tracking via radio frequency identification of resources could be used to alert patrons and staff to the physical location of resources that they require within libraries or amongst other organizations around the world.