Interactive maps are being great tools for showing information. Instead of simply dumping out spreadsheets or big data into a chart you can show it on a map and make it interactive. A great application is big data pulled from census and other government statistical surveys. A really quick example is at this site. The data that is pulled to make these “pins” comes from multiple sheets on some of the largest spreadsheets we’ve ever seen. It’s great data but completely meaningless if you look at it. So, an easy way to display it is to filter by a single metric (Changes in Iron in groundwater for instance), and then to drop pins on the map to show changes. Click a pin gives you more info. Again, we’ve been building these types of mapping portals for years but this is another quick example of how you can put it into action.
