We started learning a few simple mapping techniques today using ... you guessed it ... Google maps. Brad Heath, a national desk reporter with USA Today, spoke during the morning session we shared with an American Press Institute program. This afternoon Brad explained the SIMPLE process used to create maps to embed into story pages in our content management systems. Now, don't get me wrong, there's a lot I to learn about creating accurate maps to enhance our stories online. It's easy to get started. The first step, sign up for a gmail account on Google. Click on maps and start dragging and dropping pin points. I'll play around some and get back with some more info when I feel better informed. I'll also post up the resource list for map making Brad shared today. Happy mapping.

View My Reno hot spots map in a larger map

A couple of things to try. Go online and look around at the different kinds of maps used with news stories and attached to travel stories. Some maps, like the ones brad shared off from his organization, are complex and data driven. The crew at USA Today built a crazy-good map showing Denver, Co., home foreclosures. The map had many layers, was built on several data sets and took weeks to construct and refine. My map below, I made in class in about three minutes. I’ve resisted attaching maps to stories online, but now that I see how simple iot is to build a fast and easy locator map, I don’t have an excuse.

RESOLVED: When a simple online locator map will help my users better understand a story, I will take five minutes and put one together.

When using the Google maps tool, remember to use the content fields offered to communicate more than just address. I plan to use the opportunity to add information to the story, in the same way as a cut line, pull-out box or caption.