Twelve Black Code Monkeys

Ever since Google Maps came out, I’ve been using it and talking about it here. I love maps and GPS, and Google has allowed others to integrate with their mapping services via an open application program interface (API). The first integration that I came across that really impressed me was the one where someone integrated the real-estate classifieds on Craig’s list – housingmaps.com.

Now another developer has created a way for site owners or groups to set up their own map and allow people (visitors, readers, members) to populate it. It’s called “Frappr” and I’ve set up my own map that you can access via the button on the right or via the one right here:

So if you do read my blog on occasion, or even if you’re a one-time reader, I’d love to know who’s reading from where. You can even enter general comments or post an image in your entry.

Frappr is similar in ways to a service that I used to have on my site from Bravenet, but they wanted a chunk of money every month for it, otherwise it was surrounded by ads and pop-ups. Frappr is free and has all of one set of inconspicuous Google Adsense ad. If you’re a site or online group owner, this is a great way to see where your members or visitors are from, but they do have to actually go and fill in some information – it’s not automatic based on visitor logs or such.