Flip - Great Online Applications

Live Maps And New Perspectives

by Keith SchneiderMarch 3, 2007March 4, 20071

My writer’s lifeÂ occurs principally inÂ twoÂ media arenas. One is the reporting I do for the New York Times and other mainstream pressÂ that involves structuring the gathered facts into a narrativeÂ that is purposefully designed not to have a point of view. My focus is delivering expertise in a 1,000 to 3,000 word package distinguished by studied detachment.Â The other arena is the public interest journalismÂ I prepare for the Michigan Land Use Institute. The idea is toÂ dig just …

Flip: Google and Congestion

by Keith SchneiderMarch 1, 2007March 2, 20070

This fourth installment of Flip, which tracks keen new convergences between urban affairs and new media technology, was suggested byÂ Joe Mielke, an IT professional and a colleague at the Michigan Land Use Institute. It’s Google’s recently introduced tool to trackÂ urban congestion in real time, and available now in New York. Click theÂ traffic link on the top right of the page. The applications for this tool are immeasurable. If you’re swinging upÂ the New Jersey Thruway …

Flip: Artists And Sprawl

by Keith SchneiderFebruary 27, 2007March 2, 20070

This third installment of Flip looks at how two artists view the geography of urban and suburban place in America. Both come from Flakphoto, another of the terrifically creative places to view digital photography. Photographer Terry Evans looks at Chicago in this site, which deploys interactive motion graphics in an easily navigable format.Â The next example is how Jeff Brouws looks at sprawl. His is aÂ sort of inspired cynicism. Very cool stuff. If you find …

Flip: Interactively Valuing Place Online

by Keith SchneiderFebruary 17, 2007March 2, 20070

This is the second weekly installment of Flip, Modeshift’s exploration of the best examples of online tools to build connections between people and places.Â I’ve got several for you toÂ see. Spend some time with these. They’re all terrific. The Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture at the University of Washington in Seattle produced this interactive production to explore several ancient settlements in Puget Sound. The production mixes text, audio, video, and motion graphics. The Museum …

Flip: GE’s Interactive Project to Explore Quality of Place

by Keith SchneiderFebruary 10, 2007March 2, 20070

Flip is Mode Shift’sÂ new feature exploring the breakthrough examples of howÂ interactive andÂ social media connect withÂ commerce, land use, resource conservation, andÂ place. Take a look at General Electric’s Geoterra Ecoimagination site, which deploys interactive motion graphics andÂ audio to exploreÂ virtual geography. True, this is an exceptional device for marketing the company’s products. But it’s alsoÂ a very strong move to prove G.E.’sÂ sustainable bona fides, a trend noted in last spring’s Vanity Fair green issue. Developing high-end graphics, and …