Google Maps Make Demographics Come Alive, from AP

Geeks, tinkerers and innovators are crashing the Google party, having discovered how to tinker with the search engine’s mapping service to graphically illustrate vital information that might otherwise be ignored, overlooked or not perceived as clearly.

…Google charts each point on its maps by latitude and longitude – that’s how Google can produce driving directions to practically anywhere in the nation. Seasoned developers have figured out how to match these points with locations from outside databases…

In other words, Googlehackers have reinvented GIS. Once again, I say, let’s hear it for lightweight functionality: making use of Google & data in the public domain to create useful information. Well done, Googlehackers. Once again, I say, why didn’t an information scientist think of this?