Lab 1: The Three Maps

Map 1: Responses to Google's experimental Fiber Network

This map is from a popular blog called Gizmodo which updates users on recent and relevant topics regarding technological innovations and inventions. This particular map is a map of the people in the United States of America who wish to participate in Google's experimental 1Gbps fiber optic(s) network. The smaller pink dots represent responses from the local government and the larger red dots represents communities with over 1000 respondents. Long story short nearly everyone wants to be a part of this experiment as Google received over 194,000 responses. This is relevant and extremely significant as 1Gbps for internet is extremely fast and would significantly boost internet usage and traffic for all the relevant cities.
Link:http://gizmodo.com/5504381/who-wants-in-googles-experimental-fiber-network-map

Map 2: Location Based Social Networking Map


This map is once again from the popular blog Gizmodo. This map shows random colorful dots popping at any given point in Austin, Texas during a convention called Geek Spring Break (SXSW). There is a legend on the left side which shows what each colored dot represents. And they all represent a growing trend with today's growing smartphone's and 3G coverage that come along with the new smartphones. Each dot popping up represents a user signing onto their preferred location-based social networking site at a given time. This shows the popularity of each social networking tool and social networks in general. These however, does not include probably the most popular social network site "Facebook" since it is not really based on location. I find this interesting since it's not only pretty to look at but also shows how many people actually enjoy participating in these networks.
Link: http://gizmodo.com/5502722/location+based-social-networking-looks-kind-of-like-a-cdc-h1n1-map

Map 3: Central Florida Hurricane Center Maps Hurricane Rita
This map is from Gizmodo's partner site Lifehacker, which focuses more on making everyday life more efficient and interesting tidbits all over the internet. This map is from Google Maps and it follows the path of Hurrican Rita in 2005. The map shows the location of the hurricane, the direction it's headed and the intensity of hurricane. This is extremely important and relevant in our everyday lives as maps are easily accessible on almost all phones today. As a result being able to track any sort of disaster such as an earthquake, tornado, or hurricane can help people evacuate away from the crisis. Also it is just interesting to be able to see the movement of any sort of huge disaster.

Link: http://lifehacker.com/127145/google-maps-hurricane-rita
Link: http://flhurricane.com/googlemap.php?2005s18#