Platial News and Neogeography

Geographic Euthanasia: The End of Platial As We Know It

Just a few minutes ago, we pushed an update that signals the end of Platial as we know it.

The quick things you need to know if you have a Platial map you care about:

• All maps have been replaced with instructions and links for exporting - here is an example http://www.platial.com/map/Cable-Access-Highlights/10095
• The Platial blog will remain active as a point of communication and announcements, as well as the @platialmaps twitter feed
• GeoCommons has offered to store and offer for download all the geo-data (maps and places) from Platial's 5 years of neogeography. Access to this data is not available quite yet, but we will announce it here when it's ready
• Export as soon as you can, the service may get overloaded, you may run into bugs, etc
• The service may go offline as soon as March 2nd (when it happens, it will be due to a disconnection from our internet service providers)
• We are painfully aware that this is an incredibly short amount of time to dump this on people. The only response is a sincere apology.
• Only a logged in user can download their own "User's Places" map (the map of all the places that user added or grabbed)
• All other maps are available for anyone to export, as they have always been publicly accessible.
• Some maps with > 1000 points and/or many uploaded images will fail on the KMZ export, but should work on the KML version, we are working to fix this issue
• The KMZ file is a zipped folder containing the geo-data in KML form, plus all the image files that were being hosted by platial.com (if you 'uploaded' images to platial, they will be included, but if you 'linked' photos from the web to your places, those web based links will simply remain in place)
• If you are having problems with the export, there are a few ways to get help:
• http://getsatisfaction.com/platial
• http://platial.com/feedback
• leaving a comment here
• please include a mapid, or url when describing the problem
• Please pass the news around, we are unable to directly email the members, so are relying solely on word of mouth to get the news out.
• For those with Platial maps living on another site (widgets) we are sad to say that we have not found a comparable product that allows easy migration of your data at this time, but we would be more than happy to direct people to such a service if anyone out there can recommend one.
• Google's MyMaps on the other hand is compatible with the KML files we are exporting. If you want a place to keep your maps visible online, find the 'import' link after you create a new map.

I hope this is enough information to get things started. Export more details about why this is happening in forthcoming posts.

50 Cent Ticket Promo Using Platial

Win Tickets to 50 Cent's International Tour!

50 Cent is using his Platial map to give a few lucky winners free tickets to his International Curtis Tour! All of the dates and venue locations are displayed on the Curtis Tour Map, and fans are encouraged to add their own markers and rep their city. Fans must add themselves to the tour map, and then post it on their own profile page on Thisis50.com to be eligible to win. Check out thisis50.com for more information and to grab the map. Find out when Curtis will be coming to you, upload your picture, leave 50 a comment, and enter to win your free tickets!

Glean the Planet

About two months ago, I wrote a blog post about Urban Foraging on Platial, which turned out to be one of the most popular posts we've had.

Since then, a new awesome urban foraging project called Glean the Planet has kicked off, and we are very proud that they have chosen to use Platial. Dock Whoosie, a 28yr old living in Portland, Oregon (Platial's home town!) is the creator of the site.

Here's a tidbit from the press release:

Glean the Planet is a web site designed to facilitate the redistribution of community and individual food resources. The site offers both discussion forums and open source mapping software from Google maps and Platial.com. By allowing users to map specific locations and illustrate them with pictures and additional detailed information, this mapping software helps people facilitate the local sharing of food outside of monetary-based economies.

For instance, if you know of a food baring tree, a stand of bamboo or a healthy dumpster in your neighborhood, you can plot it on Glean the Planet’s maps. You find the map of your state and make an entry. Then add web links, text, and photos to your entries and others.

Whoosie says, “My activism has shifted focus lately. I am working a lot on myself and my relationships. Understanding the non-human world around me has been a key focus of my time this past year. In reevaluating the definition of sustainability I have found a need to be more critical of the way I consume…going beyond purchasing decisions at a store or gas pump, to building a direct subsistence relationship with the land base where I live. Politically, I am playing a supportive role with the construction of Glean the Planet, building infrastructure that supports the change I desire.”

Go have a look at the site, add some stuff, and if you have any ideas or comments about the site, email Dock Whoosie to let him know.

William Tell Fan Map

William Tell is the newest artist to use a Platial map for a fan guest book on his Myspace page. William Tell's debut album You Can Hold Me Down is available now! Formerly from the band Something Corporate, the singer/songwriter from The OC, CA is striking out on his own with heartfelt and meaningful tunes like "Fairfax (You're Still The Same)", "Slipping Under (Sing Along To Your Favorite Song)," and "Just For You." Check out the video for "Fairfax" on his Myspace page. Add yourself to his fan map and don't forget to upload a picture!

Neurosonic Tour Map

Platial is proud to announce our latest tour map for Neurosonic. After performing on the mainstage of the 2007 Family Values Tour all summer long alongside acts such as Korn, Evanescence and Atreyu, Neurosonic is embarking on a European tour from September 12th-October 7th. You can keep up to date with their travels and receive picture updates from their shows by checking out their European Tour Platial Map on their MySpace Page.


Check out their latest video that debuted #1 on Fuses Ovenfresh "So Many People"

Making April fan Map

Platial is proud to highlight our latest musical fan map for Making April. Hailing from Cortlandt Manor NY, Making April is among the most popular truly independent bands on the music scene today. Their infectious piano rock melodies have led to them being featured on MTV's 'Laguna Beach' and have earned them a spot among the top unsigned artists on MySpace. They have now sold over 70,000 singles on Itunes worldwide. Stop by to add yourself to their fan map and check out their song, "I Wrote This Song" on their MySpace page.

Here's a video of the group!

The History of...

I discovered a new history map today. It's The Encyclopedia of Islam by Qwickmalik. The website seems to be based in Ghana, but the map and the rest of the site are in English. It's a pretty interesting resource for anyone curious about Islam. They have many interesting links.

Some other awesome history maps on Platial:

Psychodiscography by Spinneyhead tells the musical history of the Manchester area. This one would make a cool guide book. Be sure to check out the Spinneyhead website

The Boston History Map and the excellent blog that goes along with it are well worth a look.

The History of Videogames by Scootdown is edifying.

Portland Radical History Tour by Jason is an old favorite of mine.

Family Values Tour Map

The family Values Tour is a huge event wrapping up this week and they've got their tour on a Platial map.

They have an impressive line-up: Korn, Evanescence, Atreyu, Flyleaf, Hellyeah, Trivium... to name only a few.

You can see the map on the Friendster profile of Evanescence, the family Values Tour Friendster page, and on HellYeah's Myspace.

He-Man Sightings

Today I stumbled across one of the more bizarre community mapping projects I've seen on Platial so far. Find He Man.

Yes, He Man, of Masters of the Universe and Castle Greyskull fame. It seems that a new Masters of the Universe movie project is in pre-production and planned for 2009.

I suspected that this Find He Man project might have something to do with the movie plans, but the more I look at it, the more I doubt it. For one thing, they are recording sightings of one particular He Man, who seems to be a Manhattan character the blog authors noticed. It's a funny project, but clearly bordering on the stalker-like. I hope He Man has a sense of humor.

Class of 3000 Fan Map

Class of 3000 is the latest project from Andre 3000, famous for his work as half of the pop band Outkast.

Class of 3000 is a cartoon show. Andre does the voice of an entertainer-turned-teacher named Sunny Bridges. He's writing a new song for each episode and has a hand in production and writing, too.

If you or your kids are fans of Class of 3000, be sure to stop by the Myspace page and add yourself to the fan map.