June 11, 2010

The Art of Open Source: Using Flickr Geotags to Map the World’s Cities

Fast Company has a wonderful article about how photographer Eric Fischer uses Flickr geotags to map world cities. Using Flickr's public API he's created over 50 elegant city maps. These are just facinating and beautiful! A great representation of community, humanity, and the art of open source.

Fast Company explains the color coding as:

Black is walking (less than 7mph), Red is bicycling or equivalent speed (less than 19mph), Blue is motor vehicles on normal roads (less than 43mph); Green is freeways or rapid transit.

Here is San Francisco:

 Using Flickr Geotags to Map the World's Cities - Eric Fischer - San Francisco

New York:

 Using Flickr Geotags to Map the World's Cities - Eric Fischer - New York

London:

 Using Flickr Geotags to Map the World's Cities - Eric Fischer - London

Eric also made a set based upon weather you are a tourist or a local. Here is what he had to say about it on his Flickr:

Blue points on the map are pictures taken by locals (people who have taken pictures in this city dated over a range of a month or more).

Red points are pictures taken by tourists (people who seem to be a local of a different city and who took pictures in this city for less than a month).

Here is New York Based upon Tourists or Locals:

 Using Flickr Geotags to Map the World's Cities - Eric Fischer

And San Francisco based upon Tourist or Local: (I love how Alcatraz and the Golden Gate, and the Pier are clearly defined as tourist)

 Using Flickr Geotags to Map the World's Cities - Eric Fischer

Check out the Fast Company article, Eric's Fischer's Local's and Tourist's Flickr Set,  and his Geotaggers' Word Atlas Flickr Set.

May 27, 2010

Happy 7th Birthday WordPress!

WordPress LogoThe wonderful open source platform that is WordPress was released seven years ago today through the talented Matt Mullenweg. Here is his post in 2003 announcing the release of WordPress to the world. Since then, WP has grown into a widely used and incredible tool for anyone who wants to share ideas, manage content, and much more. In Scott Berkun's "The Future of WordPress" session at WordCamp San Francisco, He said "WordPress is the Platform for Revolution." I totally agree. So many people have been able to find their voice through WordPress, and have been able to form communities of change. Examples of this are:

MidEastYouth - a student-owned independent network that promotes constructive dialogue and understanding within the Middle East and North Africa.
Kloop.info - the largest blog platform in Kyrgyzstan that dared to cover beginning of the recent revolt

Not only has WordPress helped people find their voice and support their causes, but it has been the basis for employment for many people worldwide. This is why it is important to contribute in any way you possibly can to the WordPress community... be it core, plugins, free themes, or volunteering or speaking at a WordCamp.

Thank you WordPress and all of those who have contributed to it. May you thrive and your community grow!
- Sara Cannon

Scott Berkun - WordCamp San Francisco

Scott Berkun at WordCamp San Francisco - "WordPress is the Platform for Revolution"

Sara Cannon is a UX/UI Designer, Former Business Owner, Creative Director, & Artist remote working in Birmingham, Alabama. 
Have a project I could help you with? Contact me at sara@saracannon.com.

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