3pointD.com

Reader Geoff Livingston sends word of an unusually elaborate Google Maps mashup in the works from geospatial developer FortiusOne that allows you to compare two locations as to the density of an arbitrary data set, if I’m understanding things correctly. The mashup uses Fortius’s GeoIQ API, which allows the visualization of a user’s data set in Google Maps, and displays two locations side by side. Clicking spots on the maps gives you a numerical rating of the data at the chosen points. In the image above, a data set representing traffic delays in San Francisco and Los Angeles are compared side by side. Very nice stuff. “In the app you can do this with any data set or mash up multiple data sets to solve a variety of problems surround location decisions,” reads the blog entry describing the mashup. Nice to see someone squeeze another level of usefulness out of Google’s mapping app.

The latest announcement from the Electric Sheep Company (sponsors of this blog) is that they’re bringing Sony/BMG to the virtual world of Second Life. According to Sheep Giff Constable, the site, on the Sheep’s Media Island, will contain “fan zones for 8 leading SONY BMG artists with video and audio content, and two gorgeous lounge and club presences which will host some exciting future events with big-name acts. One of the really cool things here from my perspective is also that SONY BMG will actually be experimenting with selling music within Second Life directly to residents.” That’s definitely very cool.

The official launch is October 19, with a meet-and-greet andn then Q&A with Epic Records artist Ben Folds. Reserve a spot for the event by emailing frontdesk [AT] virtualaloft.com, which is holding its launch the same day. Slightly confusing, but that seems to be the way to go. [UPDATE: The two events are actually a joint event, which is why you have to RSVP for the one to get to the other.] (more…)