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DPChallenge Forums >> Web Site Suggestions >> Add a Locations Feature to DPC
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Showing posts 1 - 8 of 8, (reverse)
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 10/16/2008 11:56:48 AM · #1
I took a trip to Jim Thorpe, PA, last weekend, and it got me thinking - each time I visit a neat little town, or a scenic spot, I kinda' wish there was a way to share it with other photographers. In the past, people have created threads highlighting places they've visited, but really that's just a small fraction of the total.

Add to which, there seems to always be a "I'm going to X, what should I shoot there?" thread in the forums. A database of locations built into DPC would provide people with an initial resource, from which they could contact individual users for more details, etc.

I propose that DPC add a "Locations" page, accessible from one of the drop-down menus at the top of the homepage.

I imagine a standardized form, similar to the one we use to add info to uploaded photos, looking something like this:
------------------------------------------------------------
[Thumbnail Photo]
Location Name: XXXXXX
City: XXXXX State: XXXXX Country: XXXXX
GPS Coordinates: XXXXX XXXXX
Category: XXXXX
Description: XXXXX
Important Notes: XXXXX
Added by: [user]XXXXX[/user]

[Comments from other DPCers]
User: XXXXX
Comment: XXXXX
-------------------------------------------------------------

The Locations page should operate as a hybrid of the Equipment and Tutorial pages, meaning that they should be sorted into categories (landscape, nature, city, urban, etc.) as well as countries, regions, and states. Once a user has narrowed down his criteria (or done a search), each entry can display the way Tutorials do, with a thumbnail photo and link to the full entry.

Obviously you don't have to give away your super-secret blue ribbon winning spot. But I think there could really be some good to this. For example, the group living near me knows that there are about a dozen waterfalls in the Ithaca, NY, area - but no one DPCer seems to know the location of them all! If we had access to a database, we could pinpoint the locations, plan a GTG, and not get lost trying to find half of them.

Any thoughts?
 10/16/2008 12:12:53 PM · #2
have you ever seen how some estate agents incorporate google maps into their listings... maybe something similar might be more intuitive than typing out gps co-ordinates?

In fact, i think you could probably set up a google maps personal map for DPC as a whole for everyone to contribute to... and go from there, no need to be incorporated into the site - tho that would be cool too as you can link to portfolio shots from various locations.

ETA - here is an example of the Google Maps "My Maps" i used when organising a trip to the scottish highlands last summer with some friends so i could share ideas with them on where to go etc:

Link

Message edited by author 2008-10-16 12:15:40.
 10/16/2008 12:50:47 PM · #3
Originally posted by inshaala:
have you ever seen how some estate agents incorporate google maps into their listings... maybe something similar might be more intuitive than typing out gps co-ordinates?

In fact, i think you could probably set up a google maps personal map for DPC as a whole for everyone to contribute to... and go from there, no need to be incorporated into the site - tho that would be cool too as you can link to portfolio shots from various locations.

ETA - here is an example of the Google Maps "My Maps" i used when organising a trip to the scottish highlands last summer with some friends so i could share ideas with them on where to go etc:

Link

I've used Google Maps - it'd be one way to do it, but something of a workaround. Importing photos to Google Maps requires users to register with that service they use - can't recall it's name right now, P-something. And there's a difficulty adding much information to the photos them, in terms on notes, etc.

I'd rather see it as an integrated feature.
 10/16/2008 01:03:07 PM · #4
Originally posted by OdysseyF22:
Originally posted by inshaala:
have you ever seen how some estate agents incorporate google maps into their listings... maybe something similar might be more intuitive than typing out gps co-ordinates?

In fact, i think you could probably set up a google maps personal map for DPC as a whole for everyone to contribute to... and go from there, no need to be incorporated into the site - tho that would be cool too as you can link to portfolio shots from various locations.

ETA - here is an example of the Google Maps "My Maps" i used when organising a trip to the scottish highlands last summer with some friends so i could share ideas with them on where to go etc:

Link

I've used Google Maps - it'd be one way to do it, but something of a workaround. Importing photos to Google Maps requires users to register with that service they use - can't recall it's name right now, P-something. And there's a difficulty adding much information to the photos them, in terms on notes, etc.

I'd rather see it as an integrated feature.


It's possible and fairly easy to do with google maps. (integrate google maps into existing webpage, add photos, location of users etc etc) I've done it for a few clients.

10/17/2008 11:54:00 AM · #5
how about the mapping function in flickr...I really like the way that one works.

Here for example: if you click the MAP item below the picture (if they've put it on a map) you get a small window with just that person image, then you click a link there and you can see everyones images from that area..

I like the idea of being able to search and see what is around, I'm bored here in Jacksonville, NC and would love to find some photo ops near by, (you can only shoot the beach so often)

Message edited by author 2008-10-17 11:54:37.
 10/17/2008 01:16:05 PM · #6
Originally posted by sabphoto:
how about the mapping function in flickr...I really like the way that one works.

Here for example: if you click the MAP item below the picture (if they've put it on a map) you get a small window with just that person image, then you click a link there and you can see everyones images from that area..

I like the idea of being able to search and see what is around, I'm bored here in Jacksonville, NC and would love to find some photo ops near by, (you can only shoot the beach so often)


Wow judging by where some of the things are placed around Durango- I wouldn't trust that map to find anything. People have put shots of Ouray, Silverton and Telluride in Downtown Durango.
 10/17/2008 03:01:01 PM · #7
Originally posted by vxpra:
Originally posted by sabphoto:
how about the mapping function in flickr...I really like the way that one works.

Here for example: if you click the MAP item below the picture (if they've put it on a map) you get a small window with just that person image, then you click a link there and you can see everyones images from that area..

I like the idea of being able to search and see what is around, I'm bored here in Jacksonville, NC and would love to find some photo ops near by, (you can only shoot the beach so often)


Wow judging by where some of the things are placed around Durango- I wouldn't trust that map to find anything. People have put shots of Ouray, Silverton and Telluride in Downtown Durango.

Exactly why I don't want a map integrated. I've played around with the "see photos" function on Google Maps, and I'm pretty convinced that most people can't find their home state on a map, much less correctly post a photo at a location.

Having the whole thing in database format, with GPS coordinates included by people who can get them, and directions included for those who can't, seems much easier to me. Besides which, I find it easier to sort through a list and open the ones I'm interested in than clicking around on a map.
 10/17/2008 07:50:20 PM · #8
Originally posted by OdysseyF22:
Originally posted by vxpra:
Originally posted by sabphoto:
how about the mapping function in flickr...I really like the way that one works.

Here for example: if you click the MAP item below the picture (if they've put it on a map) you get a small window with just that person image, then you click a link there and you can see everyones images from that area..

I like the idea of being able to search and see what is around, I'm bored here in Jacksonville, NC and would love to find some photo ops near by, (you can only shoot the beach so often)


Wow judging by where some of the things are placed around Durango- I wouldn't trust that map to find anything. People have put shots of Ouray, Silverton and Telluride in Downtown Durango.

Exactly why I don't want a map integrated. I've played around with the "see photos" function on Google Maps, and I'm pretty convinced that most people can't find their home state on a map, much less correctly post a photo at a location.

Having the whole thing in database format, with GPS coordinates included by people who can get them, and directions included for those who can't, seems much easier to me. Besides which, I find it easier to sort through a list and open the ones I'm interested in than clicking around on a map.


very good points.
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