Magnalox

Description
Magnalox uses GPS data to produce animated, interactive track displays featuring text, photos, links, audio, maps and more [1]. Users have a set of controls which enable them to alter certain aspects of the viewing experience such as the speed of the cursor following the recorded track. Next to the map there is a graph that uses a moving coloured line as a marker to display the original time and author's elevation, speed or heart rate [2]. By clicking into the graph, viewers can once again interact with the display and are able to change the storyflow. Viewers can also leave comments or rate magnalogs so that others are aware of how useful or detailed a magnalog is.

[|Here] is a great example of a magnalog using Google Earth to diplay a trip. A screencap is shown below.



Analysis
Examples such as the one above show how Magnalox provides users with interactive stories of other user experiences. If you are to engage with the map, you will find that various features become available or are provided at certain points during the 'story'. For instance, on the map above it is identified using a binocular icon that an image occurs at that certain location on the map. This gives users a more visual experience of the trip, as well as perhaps intice them to pursue this trip for themselves.

This type of system would be very useful for groups of people who are avid or regular travellers who may wish to experience other routes/paths than they are used to or just wish to find an easy way to get where they are going. Pehaps in terms of cycling in Toronto, users would like to know eachothers routes in this type of format so that they can visualize and understand the details of the route before they even attempt it.

[1][2] __Magnalox.__ 27 Oct. 2007 <[]>.
 * Bibliography:**

"Google Maps Mashups for Biking." 12 Nov. 2005. __Go Clipless.__ 27 Oct. 2007 <[]>.