Google Maps

This could be interesting. Former public advocate candidate Andrew Rasiej, who now works for the Sunlight Foundation , is planning to launch a muckraking project in January focusing on lawmakers in New York.

The idea of their mission is to take hard-to-access public information about lawmakers and the legislative process, make it digitally available online, and then let the public have at it. Then, said Rasiej, a technology advisor to the group, "you have an opportunity to match that data with citizen journalists, activists, investigative reporters and others, giving them an opportunity to connect the dots, mesh the data and create a new power center in American politics."  read more »

Albany, needless to say, is simply swimming in dots just waiting to be connected.

It's been a month since the launch of Google's "Summer of Green," a project with Earth Day Network that provides environmentally focused map guides--plus videos that begin with a drummer wearing green clothing. Manhattanites finally have their chance to learn about new-wave rental cars and haute green cafes at the New York site.

"The concept started with the summer," said Google spokesperson Megan Quinn, "but we're open to pushing it through the fall and winter."

There are thousands of user-made Google mash-ups--which use Google Maps' open code to create guides to celebrity stalking, man-friendly baby dressing rooms, etc--though "Green" is the first official project.

Will the New York site grow beyond tours of Central Park and an "eco-luxury private car service"?

"The content is delivered by Earth Day Network," Ms. Quinn explained. "We don't consider ourselves experts in what is green and who is green." But as EDN finds more environmentally friendly places in NY, "we'd like to add them, and make the site a more-comprehensive mash-up."  read more »

Earth Day spokesperson Laurie Howell wouldn't mind: "The opportunities in New York are tremendous... The possibilities are infinite."

- Max Abelson