Despite the fact that GoogleEarth seems to have mapped the whole world, there are many communities that remain uncharted.ISISmapping is working to change that by allowing users to create base maps for physical environments and put their own personal spins on pre-existing Google maps.
Creating base maps of physical environments.
Some places are not represented within Google Earth and Google Maps because Google lacks the appropriate satellite imagery. ISISmapping can help you obtain this imagery. Then, using the ISISmapping toolkit to draw roads, plot points, label, and annotate the imagery, you can create high quality base maps of previously uncharted territories. What is the benefit of doing this? Visualizing where dwellings, water sources, schools, latrines, and other public activity spaces are located on a map can help community leaders make informed policy decisions about where new public resources should be located. Communities with well-planned infrastructures are more likely to have healthy populations and experience economic growth.
Putting your own spin on existing maps.
While some communities are not represented by Google because of lack of satellite imagery, others are represented by no more than a flag in Google Earth. To enrich these types of maps, use the ISISmapping toolkit to geotag points of interest, paths, photos and videos and upload them directly to Google Maps using the ISISmapping online interface.
Don't have an Internet connection the moment you take the photo or record your GPS position?
Not a problem. Take your pictures, plot your points, and upload them to the ISISmapping server when you do have access.
Want to see all the nice people you visited on your trip and not the places?
Create layers on your map and divide your people photos and scenery photos into different categories. Toggle them on and off according to your fancy. This is just one of the many possibile ways to create and organize your maps. Be creative!