I can't wait for the integrations that this will enable.
What android app would you like to see enhanced with Google services?
Originally shared by Tim Bray
Oooh, OAuth goodness for the Android ecosystem (via the shiny new Google Play services).
Just passed 150 edits on MapMaker.
1 min read
Just passed 150 edits on MapMaker. I was just an occasional dabbler until I earned trail karma, which means my walking/biking trail edits don't need to be reviewed, they immediately show up!
That's led to more edits: Tennis courts, baseball fields, parking lots, schools, electrical substations and more. Be careful it can be addictive, and trails are the gateway drug.
Sander Raaymakers -- sorry to hear about the bad experience you had. Like any crowdsourced tool it's open to fraud and abuse. The abuse teams at Google have some pretty sophisticated ways to stop large scale spammers, and scammers -- but it's always hard to defend against a someone with a grudge.
One way to fight back against such issues is to rate the bad edits and/or undo them. (Select a POI and go to the history to do this). Accounts that have changes reverted will lose reputation, and you can also raise the issue of bad edits in the MapMaker forum or you can use this form to report a problem:
http://support.google.com/places/bin/static.py?hl=en&ts=1386120&page=ts.cs
Like I mentioned, not sure if this is still possible, but there were several people complaining about this 'hack' in the forums. Undid edits, etc etc. but it took a loooong time.
There's something fundamentally flawed in the "prove your ownership" mechanism, once someone changes the phone number and business name, they can control the listing, as USPS never delivers the card (no such business at this address). We need a better mechanism, e.g. one where google contacts the owner of the URL associated with the place.
Note that this wasn't spam, but a directed attack.
If I had access to this in Sweden I'd mapmake the hell out of it. I remember driving around teaching Waze about unknown roads, but after getting Google Maps Navigation I haven't used it.
Example: (not my client)
http://places.blumenthals.com/thread2906.html
There's an automated tool which "cleans up" the data that buggered it for us several times.
My first try at a map edit was a bad experience. I tried to correct a Grocery store that was closed for 4 years and replace it with a mega thrift. it was declined. I did fight it out of spite and Won.
David A Jamieson / Daniel Johansson - you can request a notification when MapMaker is available in your country here:
http://code.google.com/p/google-mapmaker/w/list
Hopefully soon! They've been adding countries at a pretty good clip so far.
Sander Raaymakers - I sent some internal feedback regarding your pain points. I'm hopeful that they'll come up with a more elegant solution that balances the ability to make changes along with reputation management.
Paul Lindner Sorry, I had no clue you were with Google. Just vented on something I saw in my feed.
Let me state for the record that I truly admire all you've done for mapping. Used to work at a company whose data Google used to license (AND) so I know how far you've come.
The experience was mighty frustrating. My client was very upset. I reached out to anyone and everyone at the time, from our adwords rep (we spend $4k+ a month), my google engage contacts and personal friends at google, only to be told the same thing you mentioned above: go to the forums (that and "it's not my department").
This little issue caused significant confusion and without doubt, lots of lost revenues. It affected positioning in google search results and was a true act of vandalism/sabotage. My client would have easily paid $1000 just to get to speak to someone and get this resolved.
This is my main gripe with Google mapping: you truly fail the business community with the non-availability of professional support. I understand where you're coming from, support is expensive, lots of users, but we really need some tiers that I feel could take into account the revenues generated at other google 'departments' and/or for-pay options.
Sander Raaymakers -- I actually work on Google+, the mapping thing is just a hobby. That said most Googlers try to do what we can to help customers and users with the realization that it doesn't scale.
I am hopeful however -- AdWords added phone support this year and the customer support tools keep getting better and better.
apropos to our discussion of what a +1 means...
3 min read
apropos to our discussion of what a +1 means...
Originally shared by Google+
50 Things a +1 Can Mean
A +1 is simple. It’s one of the easiest ways on the web to take an action that endorses the content and says you saw something. But it can mean many different things. That’s the beauty of +1. You can +1 things you like. You can +1 bad news. You can +1 things you love. You can +1 casual status updates or items that change the world.
Often, we get asked what it means to +1. Here are some ideas. We’d love to see yours.
1. A +1 can say you agree with the post.
2. A +1 can say your photo is beautiful.
3. A +1 can say your joke was funny.
4. A +1 can mean you share in sympathy.
5. A +1 can mean you endorse content found on the web.
6. A +1 can say “thanks for sharing!”
7. A +1 can say “thanks for mentioning me!”
8. A +1 can say “Glad to see you hanging out!”
9. A +1 can say “Good to see you here!”
10. A +1 can say “Wow! That’s cool!”
11. A +1 can say your video was amazing.
12. A +1 can mean you’re excited about new features.
13. A +1 can mean your post was clever.
14. A +1 can say you like this brand.
15. A +1 can say you’re the biggest fan.
16. A +1 can mean you agree with the shared story.
17. A +1 can say “thanks for commenting!”
18. A +1 can say “I vote for this choice.”
19. A +1 can say “your high score is impressive”.
20. A +1 can say “thanks for playing!”
21. A +1 can say you’re with the band.
22. A +1 can say you love the band.
23. A +1 can mean your meme is hilarious.
24. A +1 can mean your child is adorable.
25. A +1 can mean your food looks delicious.
26. A +1 can mean that song is incredible.
27. A +1 can mean “You said what I was going to say!”
28. A +1 can say you saw the post, but have no comment.
29. A +1 can say that video is stunning.
30. A +1 can say you found the news interesting.
31. A +1 can say you sure do know how to recommend people.
32. A +1 can say “I’m rooting for you!”
33. A +1 can say “Congratulations!”
34. A +1 can mean this article is a must-read.
35. A +1 can mean “I have this product too.”
36. A +1 can mean “I love this book!”
37. A +1 can mean “I hear you.”
38. A +1 can mean “You rock.”
39. A +1 can mean “I love you.”
40. A +1 can mean “I + you.”
41. A +1 can say “I can’t wait!”
42. A +1 can say “You shouldn’t miss this!”
43. A +1 can be a smile.
44. A +1 can say “You look hot.”
45. A +1 can say “I’ve been there before, and I love it.”
46. A +1 can mean “I wish I were there.”
47. A +1 can mean “I am so proud of you.”
48. A +1 can mean “You took my breath away.”
49. A +1 can say “I’m on my phone and only have a second.”
50. A +1 can say anything.
more folks..
Raj Iyengar
Chris Messina
John Hjelmstad
I remember this! (That post was from a year ago). I wrote about it back then too:
https://plus.google.com/102034052532213921839/posts/fPLu7LMznTh
I didn't get a good shot of the Shuttle landing at Moffet field, but my coworker did.
1 min read
I didn't get a good shot of the Shuttle landing at Moffet field, but my coworker did. Here's one of the photos he took. It was pretty impressive to see it flying low in the sky.
Originally shared by Jean-Christophe Lilot (JC)
It lacks originality and I'm sure you've seen thousands like this one already but there I was and I grabbed this shot.
Asking this author to implement the history api would probably be easier than us doing it ourselves sad to say.
1 min read
Asking this author to implement the history api would probably be easier than us doing it ourselves sad to say.
Originally shared by Erica Joy
THIS IS NOT AN EXTENSION CREATED BY NOR ENDORSED BY GOOGLE (Had to say that in big bold letters so the people who follow me hopingwishingdreaming that I give them their big "story" break don't run off breathlessly trying to out scoop one another about this and wind up making themselves looking not so bright in the process.)
That out of the way, I like this little extension for using Google Music. It pops up a little miniplayer so I don't have to keep the browser window open to control my music. Bangorang.
Since it can scrobble, I've resurrected my Last.fm account from the dust and ruins. If you wish to be Last.fm "friends" you may find me here:
Mark Mallman is still going strong 4 days into his cross country live video streaming #marathon4 at:
1 min read
Mark Mallman is still going strong 4 days into his cross country live video streaming #marathon4 at:
And here's a live album listen from Google Play for people going "Mark who?"
Latest "european bands singing in english" find. Bonaparte from Berlin.
1 min read
Latest "european bands singing in english" find. Bonaparte from Berlin.
Check this out.
1 min read
Check this out. Mark Mallman is webcasting a trippy musical composition based on his own brain waves and bio-signals, from the van, 24/7 for a week. Check out the live stream at this link:
... and if there's a Marathon V I hope they opt for a hangout based solution. It'd be great to get collaboration while on the road.
Bumped into David Recordon at Four Barrel.
1 min read
Bumped into David Recordon at Four Barrel. One of the great things about visiting the Mission is random encounters like this.
Map Maker is evil.
Not sure if this has been corrected, but something to try with your new karma: overlay an existing POI you do not own with partially updated information. Wait a while. Now the original marker/google place will be updated (unverified and all).
I have a client whose competitors hijacked their places. First they changed the phone number, then marked the business as "closed", and finally replaced the URL/business altogether.
Of course, there's no recourse, not a person to get on the phone, etc etc. Took months to correct.
Sander Raaymakers , Sep 25 2012 on known.dev.inuus.com