[The above photo is used courtesy of Nikki's mom. Doctored by J. Graham and A. Puro]
45° 00'North
93° 15'West
That’s where we are right now! Doesn’t make sense, does it? Well, it will. So much sense that you'll soon be using this Thing to document all the cool places you go.
What I’m talking about here is this new spin on the internets called Geotagging. Geotagging is the process of adding geographical identification “metadata” (otherwise known as coordinates) into websites. Essentially, you’ll be able to define your online life by adding some easy to find numbers!
There are a number of photosharing sites that offer geotagging features including Picasa, Flickr and BlockRocker. For today we're gonna stick close to Flickr cuz most of you are familiar with it from Thing 9 and Thing 10.
For an appetizer (or perhaps, more accurately an amuse-bouche), go to Flickr and read this to familiarize yourself with geotagging. Go ahead and take a look at this quick and dirty video on how to actually do it and then this screencast about searching and exploring geotagged photos. I'll wait for you right here while you do that.
[A short time later at: 45° 00'North - 93° 15'West]
Is it just me or did the accompanying music to those two screencasts really put you in the mood to get to geotagging some images. I know. I felt like I was on SpiceTV or something. Well, good, I'm not the only one then. Let's get to hittin' it.
1. Geotag a couple of your images and make a link to them on your blog. Flickr has directions on how to do this if you don't recall that whole process from Thing 9.
2. Search Flickr's Map of the World and make a link to a couple images that you find interesting.
Geotagging is a pretty fun way to search for images and track where images come from. It uses GPS technology to connect people and images geographically. At this point I feel compelled to tell you about the "dark side" of GPS technology. Something sinister called...geocaching.
What is geocaching? Let's see, how do I explain it, my young Padawan?
Geocaching is kind of like geotagging's older, more-attractive sister. The one with a car and a 1:00am curfew. She hardly ever talks to me, (uh, I mean you) and when she does there's usually a hint of condescension that I, (I mean you again) have convinced yourself is her laughably, ineffectual attempt to veil an almost palpable sexual tension. [uncomfortable silence] Wait, how'd we all the sudden get on you. Let's stay focused here, Domingo.
As I was saying, geocaching uses the same type of GPS technology but in more of a fun (sic) or "recreational" way. According to Geocaching - The Official Global GPS Cache Hunt Site , --"geocaching is a worldwide game of hiding and seeking treasure. A geocacher can place a geocache in the world, pinpoint its location using GPS technology and then share the geocache’s existence and location online. Anyone with a GPS unit can then try to locate the geocache".
You seem to be radiating just a hint of anxiety right now, so allow me to put your mind at ease by saying that you won't be required to partake in any type of geocache "hunt" as part of this thing. I'm just bringing geocaching to your attention. What you decide to do with this information, when left to your own devices is, of course, your business. I accept no responisibility for any shenanigans you perpetuate or become involved in, nor the jail-time or community service hours you receive due to your blatant disregard for the safety of yourself (and/or others) in the reckless application of this information. I cannot stress this last point enough.
Blog Prompts
- Did you like Flickr's geotagging feature?
- Did you explore any of the other geotagging services? How did they compare to Flickr?
- How will you use this tool either personally or professionally?
- Why would anyone ever want to geocache? Seriously, why? What is wrong with these people?
