Lab 3: Neogeography

Map of some of the filming locations for the 2005 film "Crash".

View Lab 3: Neogeography in a larger map

While neogeography is very useful, there are many consequences for using their maps. First of all, the maps are user-centric. This means that it is created by the user with information intended for either a specific person or a specific group of people. Since it is created by the user, this means that there could be errors in the information provided. A person could easily create a map that has a lot of information, however, all of this information could in fact be false making the map completely useless.

Another pitfall of neogeography is that you are limited by the toolsets you are provided for creating the maps. In the case of using Google Maps, the user is only able to use tools created by Google. If there was some special format the user wanted the map in, he or she would have to use a different program to create their map. In addition to toolsets, you are also limited by the maps provided. Using Google Maps, you are not able to use a topographical map to create a mashup. Although the user is limited, programs like Google Maps continues to improve their tools in order to decrease the limitations users face when creating personalized maps.