Interactive Info- Google Maps

View Run It in a larger map

For my interactive information visualization active research assignment, I decided to make a fun map that pertains to me. When working out and going for a run, I like to calculate how long it will take me as well as how far of a distance I go. I decided to test a new route from Los Banos Ave in Daly City, CA running all the way around Lake Merced and back up to Los Banos. This exercise consists of being active for 17.5 miles and taking about 51minutes. However, since I run slow and definitely will build up to these 17.5 miles, I set break, rest, and stretching points on the map as well.

My experience in creating my own google map was quite simple. Though the direction lines are difficult to snap onto the route intended, creating your own map is fun and easy.

Personalizing your own interactive map, could benefit a variety of people/potential users.
For educational purposes, giving a route, agenda, and visuals to parents would have them feel more comfortable when their child is going on a school field trip. The parent will know where they are going, images can show what the places look like, and the time indicator of how long it would take from point A to point B.
Medical purposes: A precise route on where to go in case of an emergency is very beneficial on letting someone know where to go in a hypothetical situation.

Interactive maps can help everyone. You can make it simple, colorful, and have images and notes to help the reader. I believe depending on what research it is, a timeline would be beneficial and more effective when concerning precise time and incident identification. Interactive maps would be beneficial if you are wanting to know an estimated time, route, and visual images to help you in locating a place.

For example, for medical purposes:
a timeline would be used to show the stages of an accident or injury.
an interactive map would be used to allocate a hospital or emergency house/place to go to in case of an emergency.

Both of these interactive resources are beneficial to our world today. Since we rely and work mostly with technology, these applications are simpler and convenient ways to create and share with other people.

Dipity! Active Research

Kathleen L. on Dipity.

This timeline is a simple, fun, view of what I did Saturday May 1st. Check out my long and tiring day of spending time with my mom and cousin.

This was my first time using Dipity. At first, I wondered what were the purposes of this site and why would we need to use an interactive timeline. Creating my own timeline and viewing others, Dipity is an interactive tool to help visually see, share, and experience moments and events. Viewing these gives a personal attachment or feel on what other people seem to be important to share and see. Interactive timelines could be used to tell a story of an accident, experience, incident, memory, event, and so on. It can also be utilized in various fields such as:

the medical field: an interactive timeline can share the pictures, symptoms, and gradual changes of a patient or problem, helping to display the time and image changes.

the political field:If there was an accident, crime scene, discovery of evidence, or the documentation of actions-images and the time and date can display a story of the event, allowing a more comprehensive view.

a memory/event:If it is difficult to see a loved one due to difference in time, distance, or unavailability, Dipity can help display that moment. Having images, the time frame, and videos can help relive the experience for the first time. (For example, a child taking its' first steps, soccer goal, birthday party, etc.)

Overall, I like how simple it is to upload and save events for your timeline, however I believe the layout of the site could be more aesthetically pleasing, and less complex looking. If there were options to view the timeline in more of a kid-like way, normal, or advanced, this site can be accessible to use and view for all demographics and ages.