BlogMap is a new
service that allows you to pinpoint your location in the world and
then see who is blogging near you. After entering the URL for your
blog or RSS feed, you're asked to provide either the address or
longitude and latitude coordinates of the place from which you blog.
BlogMap then gives you
a piece of code that renders something like this:
You can also use the service as a search engine to find local
blogs by going to this page http://www.feedmap.net/blogmap/search.aspx
.
While it is certainly interesting, there are problems.
- I'm not sure how smart it is to show the world where you're
at.
Since it translates your address into GeoPositioning coordinates,
if you are imprudent enough to use your home address when you
sign-up you'll be telling everyone who happens across your blog
exactly where you live. And I mean exactly. One
bargain basement GPS device and you're in business. Why make it
even easier for the guy you pissed off with your insults to find
you than it already is?
- It's only as accurate as the number of people using it. There
could be 700 people blogging within 10 miles of you, but if you're
the only one signed up, the count will be one.
- Last and least, it's not compatible with JU because it uses
JavaScript to render its little boxes and JU does not permit JS.
That notwithstanding, you could right click, select the rendered
image's properties and use its URL on your site. (Remember to link
the image to the page you get from clicking on it.) You'd just
lose the "Bloggers Nearby: #" information.
It's a nice idea, but you may decide the security issues outweigh
the interest factor. On the other hand, if you don't mind people
knowing which city you live in, just put in the address of City Hall.
And if you don't have a blog but would like to know what people are
saying in your home town, just use
the service as a search engine.