Mapping our Lives
I doubt any newspaper's Web site uses maps any better than the Bakersfield Californian does. Some of the things you can do using Bakersfield.com's interactive maps include identifying the worst potholes in town, pinpointing unsolved gang killings, searching for the cheapest gas prices, discovering yard sales, finding what restaurants have other readers' favorite dishes (the Camarones Vallarta at La Costa Mariscos sound especially good) and so much more. This is a great example of using Web tools to directly serve readers. www.bakersfield.com/maps/
Thank you Amy Gahran of the Poynter Institute's e-media tidbits for this suggestion. Are you impressed with the way any other news organization is using maps? If so, leave us a comment and let us know.