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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Interesting bit of news…<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Google unveils user-generated maps in RP<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> (Inquirer, 10/8/2008, Janie
Christine Octia)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><st1:City w:st="on"><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Manila</span></font></st1:City><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>, <st1:country-region
w:st="on">Philippines--</st1:country-region> Google announced Wednesday the
availability of Google Map Maker in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">Philippines</st1:country-region></st1:place>, a new application that
depends on information contributed by users.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>"Google Map Maker is all about leveraging the knowledge
of local experts found in every neighborhood and in every known town and city.
Since the map data is collected from people who have first-hand knowledge of
the area, the information becomes more meaningful and relevant to users,"
said Jason Chuck, Google Product Marketing Manager for Asia Pacific, in a
briefing here.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>The main goal of the Google Map Maker is to provide their
users a useful, comprehensive and updated map of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">Philippines</st1:country-region></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>The application provides a platform for users to locate,
draw, label and accurately render existing destinations and create maps for
even unexplored areas.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>With this new application, users can also add important
information on points of destination like contact details, photos and even
reviews for business establishments.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Google Map Maker is open to all users and Google hopes to
empower them to participate as a contributor and moderator at the same time.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>A certain data requires the moderation of Google Map Maker
users before it is approved.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>The algorithm used in this application verifies the reliability
of the contributor by reviewing user behavior, contributed content and the
number of users approving the data.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Google is expecting this new application to help boost
commerce, tourism and aid investments by helping small businesses make their marks
in the web.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Executives present in a briefing held in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on">Manila</st1:City></st1:place> expressed willingness to partner with
local government agencies that will benefit from this application especially
the tourism and education sector.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Unlike the existing Google Maps application which takes its
data from different sources, the Google Map Maker is updated real time and
users can either approve or edit pending data.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Google Maps is now using the Google Map Maker as one of
their sources.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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