In a previous E-Media Tidbits item, Peter M. Zollman
wrote about news-site coverage of the New York City transit strike. One
feature that wasn’t mentioned was the New
York Times‘ interactive map of the city, powered by Google’s map API,
which elegantly displays commuting information and location-specific reports
submitted by readers. (Make sure to toggle between “Commuting Guide” and
“Reports From Readers” to see both features.)
Despite having a few small usability issues, such as strange wrapping of the
map balloons, the feature is quite well done. Interestingly, creation of the
tool appears to have been outsourced to Faneuil Media, a start-up focusing on Web
development in a journalism context. Faneuil Media employs Rick
Burnes, who publishes the excellent “mashups, data, and journalism” weblog
Mashalist.
