Loosing Site

Google has added a map chart type to its free data visualisation solution. Google charts API creates images on the fly to present data encoded in the image url.

The available maps are at continental or world scale, with the exception of the USA where geographical data for each state can be displayed.

Developer’s Guide – Google Chart API – Google Code via kwout

Data for the charts is included as url parameters using ISO Country Codes, RGB color values and simple numeric or string encoding of data values.

Developer’s Guide – Google Chart API – Google Code via kwout

The URL’s are simple enough to construct by (a careful) hand, but are more suited to scripting and code generation.

Mezzoman is a small simple mashup that helps people get together. Given two locations and an activity it finds suitable locations for people to meet that’s at roughly the halfway point. This screencast from DemoGirl shows how straightforward the application is to use.

Mezzoman – (Beta) via kwout

The application can be used in from the main website, or via Facebook where, depending on privacy settings, it may already know your friends’ locations.

Mezzoman | Facebook via kwout

Developed by Mark Zider and Tim Dempski, the inspiration behind the application is best summed up in Tim’s post:

“Mezzoman…is a mashup we created for a simple reason…Our friends live all over the place and we were tired (and so were they) of trying to find places to meet.”

Currently in beta, the application has tremendous scope for further development by extending the number of participants, range of activities or linking to transportation, scheduling and reservation systems.