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Hello!  I realize that this may be further down on the priorities of the wishlist but it is something I am excited to think about.  Ideally we will have a map or globe that plots tags for members and events so that, over time, we can chart our online communities growth.  Ideally, the tag will be automatically generated by zip code when a new profile is entered.  So,  

Does WA have this on the list as a potential future application?

Are any current users using a similar feature that they can share information on?

Are any current users curious about integrating a widget for this or something similar that would like to share research and ideas? 

Thanks ~ jen cinclair

We do not have this yet on our list but we will add it.

I have seen some clients doing it manually via other mapping services (there is no way to automate it until we open an API for external systems to access member database - which has to be done very carefully for security reasons)

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Dmitry Buterin, Chief Apricot

OK, good to know. 

Is there a way to add a question to the Member Log-on that is not linked to the database but, instead, linked to a seperate application such as this? 

Or, could we add a page directly after logging in to encourage them to enter there zip-code? 

I would love to see examples of sites using something similar even if it is not linked to the profiles.

Thanks ~ jen cinclair

I think right now the only way to do it manually:

Export member list in Excel format, remove everything you do not need.

Use one of the mapping utilities you can find online - importing the locations file you prepared. (I am not an expert on these apps but I have come across a few in the past)

I know I have come across a few clients who did that but I can not find them now, I will post a link if I find them. 

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Dmitry Buterin, Chief Apricot

Great idea!  I hadn't thought of using the export function. 

I will look into this option to see if I find an easy application and will post any findings to this thread.

 

~ jen cinclair

OK, I explored a few possibilities for this and I believe the easiest solution for us is ZeeMaps (http://www.zeesource.net/maps/home.do).  You can set up a map using a CSV file in minutes and they have multiple color-coded tabs so for our use, plotting members, projects and events, this is a great starting place until we can build or integrate something a bit fancier.  I anticipate updating this weekly or as neccessary to reflect changes. 

Hope this helps anyone else looking to incoorporate a simple map but please share any other ideas that or solutions you come across.

~ jen cinclair

Jen,

Thanks a lot for sharing. This sounds like a topic which can be of interest to quite a few people. I am thinking we can do a post on our blog to share your findings. I will talk to our blogger Soha and we will connect with you.
 

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Dmitry Buterin, Chief Apricot

It would be neat to see a "membership map" that shows a world view (in our case) with "push pins" coordinting to each member.  We currently do a map that merely shows states/territories & countries where members are located.  Would be nice to have it automated and would be nice to see where there are clusters of people that would be a good place to look at creating local chapters, etc.

Noted, thanks for your input.

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Dmitry Buterin, Chief Apricot

We would love to have this mapping feature too:

When visitors check the member profile, there will be a map show up at the same time indicating the location of the member.

 Or just a page with a map with all those registered members. The visitors can click the map to pinpoint the profile of a specific member in a specific area.
 

 

OK, thanks for the input.

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Dmitry Buterin, Chief Apricot