[Wikipedia-l] Mapping complement to Wikipedia?

[Jeff Meyer]

Hi all -

Has anyone looked into or heard anything about a map-based complement to the
Wikipedia?

I am looking at putting something together that would be targeted at K-12,
but might have some nice tie-ins.

The plan is to deliver an easily searchable repository (content & searchable
clearinghouse) of quality map content to cover the entirety of human
history. Along with it would be a freely distributable, open source map
player. People could then link their existing maps, add modifications, build
new map content, etc.

There are a lot of reasons why a text-based search metaphor doesn't work
well for map-based data and why a lot of the maps on the web fall short of
current technologies potential for delivering better map-based experiences.

I am hoping to base this loosely on what the folks at TimeMap and the ECAI
have already established, but their current tools, setup, and content would
need to be modified and expanded to be useful for K-12 education.

Naturally, it would be great to provide contextual links to related web
resources... like the Wikipedia.

Anyway, if anyone has heard of something similar, or has any suggestions,
please let me know.

Thanks,
Jeff

jeff at gwhat.org
www.gwhat.org