A cool social networking map service for listing any event that has a geographic location. Navdog is a clever social mapping application that enables users to search and locate events and other local happenings. Users are requested to setup a simple profile and login sequence and setup their "home" location. Once created, the user then simply logs in and local events are presented. Browse events, register as a member, create a list of saved events, add and create your personal event listings.
For example, once my homebase was setup in Fort Collins, CO, I then saw a number of local event listings like concerts, festivals and other cool things. For advertisers, Featured Listings are presented in a very visible manner and eye-catching graphics and logos are also displayed in a floating window... in my case I was presented with details of The Taste of Vail Festival and a non-intrusive Starbucks logo was also presented to me.
As I browse local events I can easily obtain more information by clicking the listing. The map scrolls to reveal the location of the event and the floating information window pane is updated with more information about the requested event. Optionally, I can save the event to my favorites, Get more details like complete directions, a description, and contact information, finally, I can also get detailed driving directions.
Creating an Event
Members can easily add an event to the listings, basic listings being Free of charge. Optionally, add up to 3 images associated with the event, include coupons and other relevant details.
Saving an Event
Finally, when you identify events or listings of interest you can easily add to your saved events. Upon reviewing your events you can easily organize and created more detailed event itineraries in PDF format - perhaps a list of the sessions of interest taking place at a conference... nice! The itineraries are saved as PDFs.
NavDog Features:
free membership
unlimited event listings
weather condition
traffic conditions
create travel itineraries
1-click driving directions
NavDog displays events taking place in your local area
Clicking on an event brings up detailed information including driving directions from your home location
Navdog founder, Shawn Fredrickson provided us with some comments about the development of Navdog...
The real power of our geographic delivery system is found in the way Navdog.com allows its members and those who list events to edit their geographic location.Basically they can associate an address with its correct location on the map or create a new venue anywhere on the planet and give it a name.If a member desires they can choose to submit the edited, created or corrected location to our public database where other event managers can use it for their own events. This geographic customization is a concept we call "Human Edited GIS" and it removes inaccuracies found in geo-coding by allowing humans to eyeball the actual location instead of being forced to live with the location the system gives them.
Because of our early decision to use a simple lat+long instead of a traditional street address we are able to deliver a point and click method for obtaining driving directions, visitors can literally right-click the map, drop a virtual house or starting point there and get driving directions to any event from that location.We believe this adds value to the visitor experience by getting them where they want to go much faster than the traditional mapping sites where an address is required.
We are also working on utilizing the mapping interface to change the way sponsors expose their products to consumers by placing their store locations right on the map based on their actual geo-location. We will also require our sponsors to add value by offering our visitors something in exchange; i.e. a coupon.Like all other events on our map the sponsor locations would benefit from the integrated driving directions which also serve as the printed media for their coupons and offers and this will extend a sponsors' exposure far beyond the computer screen. This innovative model will serve to open a valuable internet market to corporate sponsors who have never had an adequate online venue to advertise their products.These sponsors would include fast food & coffee shops, convenience store chains, retail locations of all kinds, etc.
Top iPhone related GIS and Geo Tech news stories from 2009 - At the end of the year its always interesting for us to look at some of the stats and results to identify trends and more important, to see what our readers think is hot! In the "news" category it seems that iPhone related geo tech items were extremely popular.
Geo Social Location Checkin to Twitter from iPhone - With the cool SXSW event taking place Austin, TX, everyone who's anyone in social and social location seems to have rolled out updates this week, making your choice for how to check-in to your social media bookmarks even tougher to decide on!
10 Awesome GIS and Mapping apps for the iPhone - I recall last year at the ESRI UC when an iPhone was on stage showing a prototype app (think ArcPad on iPhone). It was then that I realized the iPhone platform is going to be BIG in mapping and there's a ton of opportunity for developers.
Nokia Booklet 3G, unboxing video and image gallery... Those of you in the USA who pop in to BestBuy occasionally, you may have seen a stand showing off the Nokia Booklet 3G. A sleek, 3G enabled, SIM slot (AT&T) sporting netbook.
Interesting Tweeple - 10 Geo Technology & Geo-Social Women of Twitter - given the growing love for geospatial and location-aware technologies, I’ve decided to hype 10 women that I feel make a significant contribution to the Geo-Twittersphere. If you’d like to add 10 knowledgeable and useful Twitter contacts to your Geo following list I highly suggest the following: (in no particular order)
10 Geo Social Location-Aware Apps Making Waves... With Twitter's opening of their location API to developers there's going to be a ton of third party apps that will enable Twitter users to share location-aware information via their Twitter accounts.
Signs that indicate you may be a GeoGeek (aka. GeoNerd) and some suggested Geo blogs - Chances are good that if you are a Geo Geek then you already know it and likely refer to yourself as one. However, there’s many of you out there that may be on the fence and wondering… “am I a Geo Geek?" Read on for a comprehensive list of signs you might be a GeoGeek followed up by some suggested Geoblog reading.
Real-time GPS Mapping and GIS Solution Aids Efficient Disaster Management - Saturday, February 7, 2009 will forever be known as Black Saturday in the State of Victoria, Australia. In the midst of a 10-year drought, a record breaking heat wave descended upon the state, with temperatures exceeding 45 degrees C (110-120 deg F), breaking all-time record highs in some cities - Victoria Police Use Trimble Juno SC Handhelds to Speed Assessment of Damage Caused by Bush Fires.
2010 ESRI Federal User Conference February 17-19, 2010, Washington D.C. Walter E. Washington Convention Center - The FedUC is the largest geospatial conference for federal agencies. Connect with other leaders, decision makers, and GIS professionals.
The International LiDAR Mapping Forum 2010 - Tenth Anniversary Event! ILMF 2010 will be held from March 3 - 5, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency in Denver at Colorado Convention Center.
The NAVTEQ 2010 Global LBS Challenge Awards Ceremony will be held during Ignite at O'Reilly Where 2.0. Be among the first to hear as NAVTEQ announces the winners for the North America region. Participants will be competing for a global prize pool of $10 million and growing by showcasing pre-commercial location-enabled apps using NAVTEQ map data & products. March 30, 2010, during Ignite Where, 7:30pm - 9:00pm, at the Marriott San Jose, CA
WHERE2.0 2010 - Now in its sixth year, the Where 2.0 Conference is where the grassroots and leading edge developers building location-aware technology intersect with the businesses and entrepreneurs seeking out location apps, platforms, and hardware to gain a competitive edge. For 15% use Discount Code: whr10lbs
Members can easily add an event to the listings, basic listings being Free of charge. Optionally, add up to 3 images associated with the event, include coupons and other relevant details.
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