Psycho.Sanctum

Google Launches Map Maker in the Philippines

// October 11th, 2008 // Software, Technology

Now, anyone can be a cartographer. Last October 7, 2008, Google Inc. unveiled its Google Map Maker application in the Philippines. Map Maker allows users to locate, draw, label and accurately render maps of currently uncharted areas using the popular Google Maps.

With Google Map Maker, contributors can help create a useful, comprehensive and updated map of the Philippines, especially those areas with outdated maps and still uncharted areas. Users can contribute by adding features to the map using three sets of tools.

These include placemark (for a single point of interest such as government buildings, businesses, schools, etc.), line (for drawing roads, railways, rivers,etc) and a polygon (for defining boundaries, borders, parks, lakes and other large features).

Google Map Maker Interface

Users can make more accurate additions to the map using existing satellite imagery. They can also add other important information such as contact details, photos and even reviews of business establishments featured on the map.

However to ensure the quality of the data, contributions by users will need to be moderated by more experienced users. This will help prevent vandalism and inaccuracies. I don’t know how that works yet, or who the experienced users are, but it is important to have moderators to avoid errors, whether deliberate or not.

Part of Makati City on Google Map Maker

This is a very useful innovation from Google because aside from spurring the creation of comprehensive, up to date and useful maps, it will also help boost education and tourism with the high quality first-hand information it will provide. Maybe Google can tie it up with Google Earth/Sketchup/3D Warehouse in the future where users can contribute their 3D models of existing structures and buildings into the map.

It would be cool to explore an up-to-date map complete with 3D models of landmarks. Meanwhile, Google Map’s and Google Earth’s satellite imagery is also expected to become of even better quality and higher resolution than before now that the $500 million GeoEye satellite has started taking high-res photos of the Earth.

I’ll try and explore Google Map Maker when I have more time and probably make a useful and updated map of my hometown, Legazpi City.

[UPDATE - 10.12.08]

I’ve started updating the Legazpi City map. Here’s a screen shot of what I have added so far. Most of my contributions still needs to be approved before they become visible, though. I think adding features in Google Map Maker is easy and I’m actually getting the hang of it. I would also love to contribute to other mapmaking tools such as OpenStreetMap. But, I’m nowhere near the caliber of Mr. Eugene Villar (of Vista Pinas) yet. Maybe when I get better at this stuff. lols

Legazpi City on Google Map Maker (Click to view larger version)