Blog Azeroth

Hi folks,

So Larisa and Syl had the idea of making a map that shows where all us bloggers come from in real life, and they sent the idea to us at MMO Melting Pot to get running.

I'm looking into getting it set up over this week. Earlier today I posted about it with a couple of questions for any blogger who's interested in being put on the map. And let's face it - unless you tell me the info, I can't include you on the map. Unless I do some seriously shifty and uncomfortable stuff with google, which none of us want to get into!

Here's the gist of what I posted, and what I need to know:

Community map – where we are around the world? – This is an idea from Larisa and Syl who thought we should get it running here at the Pot. Basically, a map pinpointing where all the bloggers are around the world. I think it’s a great idea. It doesn’t have to be game specific – in fact, it shouldn’t be game-specific. It’s for all bloggers to get ‘on the map’ if they want to. I’m currently looking into websites that would allow me to create such a map – unfortunately Frappr shut down so I’m looking for other options. What I’d like from you is:

* If you’re a blogger I need to know where you live. Mwhahahha. No really, only so I can add you to the map and I don’t need all the details. Just your country, (and if you’re in the US your state), and preferably city as well as a lot of maps seem to want to place markers on specific cities. If you blog by your real name I’d suggest also submitting a psydonym.
* Do you prefer a map that shows our country or our city in that country? I don’t think any harm will come of a city-specific map (you all know I live in Edinburgh and I haven’t had bouquets of flowers turn up yet. Well, once, but that was Hugh’s initiative) but if you’re really uncomfortable with that idea and want us to try to find a country-focused map to use (if such a thing exists), let us know. (ideas for sites that do this kind mapping thing, like Frappr used to do, also welcome).
--

Of course, if you don't want to be on the map you don't have to. I'm putting this here to try to get the word out. If you think it's a good idea please pass it on through the blogging community, as it's only going to look cool if we get it to take off and get folks to take part.

Meanwhile, answers to the above questions are welcome, as are suggestions to mapping sites that might be useful. Atm I'm looking at zee maps and google maps.

Hope to hear from you, and hope to see the word spreading. Thanks, guys.

PS - to admins - do you mind if I post about this on the new authors forums when it's ready, please? It'd be cool for them to know it's there and that they can get included on it pretty quick.

+1 for this. In every guild I've been in we've done similar (though possibly a bit more specific as they've been close-knit) and our realm forum used to have one before the new BattleNET style wiped the old ones. I'd love to be aware of more British/Western European bloggers (and podcasters), mainly cos they're the easiest to catch in-game and online during the same times I play/blog. It's vague enough to not pinpoint people to specific houses whilst nice enough to know that Blogger X lives around, say, Woking just up the road.

Cool Rioriel, thanks What map sites/applications/tools have your guilds used to do this in the past?

Make sure you do send me your info if you're interested in this btw guys. I'm still deciding on/looking for a map-making tool to use, but in the meantime I'm taking notes so I can populate the map as soon as I've found one. And if you've got comments/suggestions/worries about this, feel free to pitch in with those too.

You can contact me via mmomeltingpot at gmail dot com, or by leaving your details in the comments here (or at the original post on the Pot, here: http://www.mmomeltingpot.com/2011/03/monday-maintenance-putting-you-on-the-map-needs-feedback/), or by twitter.

I think it's a great idea. Count me in.

Name: Jack
Blog: The Casual Raider
Location: Denton, TX

I definetly think cities are the way to go. Especially for us Texans... saying you live in Texas isn't very specific lol.

Please count me in. Borders are just in our Heads.

Name: Nube
Blog: The Lonely Pally (lonelynube.blogspot.com)
Location: Chiapas (State), México. Tuxtla Gutiérrez (City)

It is a fabulous idea.

Frappr for the realm (iirc), and for the guild we used Google Maps dropped pins on for each of us.

As for me:

Name: Rioriel (or Graham)
Blog: Postcards from Azeroth
Location: Winchester, Hampshire, UK.

Well it seems the idea is appreciated by more and more people, good stuff!
already looking forward to scan the worldmap for people close to me!

I hope this won't create too much extra work for you guys Rebecca, otherwise keep my offer in mind.

I've always liked this kind of project. Gives a really neat perspective of views around the world.

Name: Corath
Blog: Corath's Blog (http://corath.wordpress.com)
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Name: Moravec
Blog: Follow the Gold Road/Cartel Gaming
Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK

Not sure if you've already got this up and running yet (awesome idea by the way!!), but I just wanted to add that you can share maps in Google Maps and either let people add their own point, or add them yourself and make it not editable.

I'm not sure of other free online tools for map making, but I have used Gmaps for this sort of thing before and it is very easy to use. I'm not sure of the techy details but I'm fairly sure you can then embed the map in another site if you like.

Let me know if you need a hand Can't guarantee I'll be around, but the next week or two should be alright

Since I was one of those who suggested this I think you know I'm for it! Sweden is where to put me. Somewhere near Stockholm will be fine.

Sweden here as well, near Gothenburg (:

Red Cow
redcowrise.blogspot.com
Kyoto, Japan (originally from Orlando, FL, USA)

You can find me in Angleton, TX (at least for another year or so ^^).

I found a site called Pin in the Map, but it's not free

I'm a nomad so I don't really have a home base. I'm a proud St. John's, Newfoundland rep for the next few months if I can use that!

Thanks for the input, folks! Really helpful You should all be added to the map up to this post.

Well, the map's gone live - find the announcement here: http://www.mmomeltingpot.com/2011/03/blogger-map-is-live/.

It looks fantastic! :love:

OMG indeed i'm lonely T_T.

Awesome job, /bow.

Can I still be added?

Name: Jennifer G or Chatmay
Blog: The WoW Debutante
addy: http://wowsociallife.wordpress.com
city: Atlanta

Oo, fun!

Name: Lument
Blog: Officerchat.org
City: Twyford, UK

Thanks guys

@Lument - added, let me know if you want anything about the pin changed

Chatmay - you can definitely still be added. Which Atlanta are you in/which state? I'm not so versed with American cities (and am geographically challenged besides) and googlemap's thrown up three Atlantas.

Name: Kamalia
Blog:Kamalia et alia
Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia

Fun fun fun!

Name: Rahana
Blog: Blueberry Totem
Location: Fryšták, Czech Republic (copy-paste format! )

Added you both, Kamalia and Rahana

Just noticed this, the map looks great!

Name: Jodrath
Blog: http://jodrath.wordpress.com/
Location: Wollongong Australia