Mashups
As social software tools are considered to be highly flexible services which can be tailored according to the user's needs, it is perhaps inevitable that interest has grown in finding ways of combining data from two or more of the services and repurposing it according to requirements. Such products are known as mashups. They often involve the overlaying of data onto maps (for example, to create a map showing location of hot dog stalls in California, or film locations in London), but many other combinations are possible. Imagination and some technical expertise is all that is required!
How to do it
Briefly, the creator of a mashup obtains content from a service via that site's Application Program Interface (API) - either legitimately (some services are quite happy for their data to be re-used) or via more dubious means, such as 'screen-scraping'. At present, anyone creating a mashup would generally need some programming skills, though it is likely to become easier, and sites such as Platial or Mapbuilder enable you to create your own simple maps.
Examples
The Programmable Web site has a list of some of the most popular mashups, together with a matrix that enables you to find out what combinations have already been tried. The possibilities are endless, but the Open, Connected and Social site highlights those of particular relevance to education and research, such as Sloodle (a mashup between Second Life and Moodle).
Benefits and Barriers of Mashups
Potential benefits for users:
There are obvious benefits in being able to combine datasets in new ways. Currently, the majority of non-trivial mashups involve combining maps with other information, for example data or imagery relating to locations on the map. For many users with visual preferences the ability to contextualise information within a map or an image is extremely useful.
Potential barriers for users:
With a high reliance on spatial data, mashups are very difficult for visually impaired users. People with poor spatial skills (for example, those who prefer a list of directions rather than a map image) may also find mashups difficult to use.
