An interactive map for permaculture farms and people

I am looking for a tool, I do not know if it exists as I envision it. I'd like to create a map with pop-up windows that show where we all are, with a small bio about the people, gardens and farms they care for. After attending Sepp's class in Loma Mar.. I see a need for us to stay connected and remain familiar with the faces we met along the way. It would have many practical purposes. Does anyone know how to make such a tool?

i am almost sure that i heard geoff lawton working on some website that does just that.

I started something similar to what you are looking for, maybe 3 years ago for the Seattle Permaculture Guild. I used the free feature of making your own custom Google map.
You can see it here:
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=206802057163156437696.00045ee836d93cea7db77&msa=0

After announcing it quite a few times to the group(500+ members at the time), no more than a handful of people wanted their location known.
Note: you do not have to show the precise address, just, for example your fav spot nearby. You can basically add a web page as a popup, so very flexible as to what bio info you can include.
My map could be axpanded to cover anywhere in the world, it is just a matter of zooming in and out.
Or I could help anyone else create a new one.
Steve Tracy

That is pretty cool Steve. I am not real good at computer stuff. How exactly do you make one of those?

I can easily understand why most people do not want to make their locations known in these days. I also firmly believe that we as a "family" can stay connected via a wonderful site like this.
I am curious as to just how many here think that annonimity is the best policy for permies etc.?

Wyll Greenewood wrote:I can easily understand why most people do not want to make their locations known in these days. I also firmly believe that we as a "family" can stay connected via a wonderful site like this.
I am curious as to just how many here think that anonymity is the best policy for permies etc.?

I understand it too, I liked what was said above about just self listing for folks by city not exact addresses. I found something called ZEEmaps I didn't love it. Looking into all the stuff mentioned above tonight. Thank You for your responses.
Steve T that is cool can anyone add to it or just you?

As I noted, you do not need to locate yourself on the map by your exact address. Some suggestions might be to pin your location to your favorite cafe, coffee shop, your local library, or favorite local park.
Anyone with a gmail account can create their own custom map. Just go to maps, click on my places, then create map. You zoom around just like any other google map search, then add a pin anywhere you want, then add description, etc.
You can also draw lines as paths, which I have done for my favorite park walk or bus routes close to me.
I am considered the owner of the mentioned map, and I can give others permission to edit the map, so anyone can not just add something.
I made the map semi-private, in that only people that receive the link can see it and supposedly it will not be listed under any search(but I have not confirmed that).
It would be nice to have a mapping app like this, to add to a meetup group like the Seattle Permaculture Guild Meetup group(850+ members) so that you could get the control over editing, restricting it to members only.
Steve

Steve,

I like your ideas for locating etc. something I feel could be utilised as part of this site if the great leader were to approve.

Wyll