According to the 2006 census, the population density of Toronto is almost 4,000/square km. That’s a lot of people up in everyone’s respective personal spaces. So how to interact with the 4,000 folks who live in your immediate area? Should you geotag photos on Google Earth showing how good the oranges at the fruit market around the corner from your house look today? Or maybe go on Twitter and tell your 7 followers? No way!!!! Geotagging with photos on Google Earth is so 2009!!!! Twitter is fleeting!!!! I demand more content interaction!!!!
Thankfully, Toronto-based media venture My City Lives has created an easy-to-use interface for geotagging and interacting with video content made specifically for city dwellers. Surf over and you’re presented with a Google Maps view of the city and a number of little video bubbles that connect you with diverse and engaging content from all over Toronto. Now, we know we have reported on My City Lives before, but we love the sense of community it creates, and we found the service has come a long way since we first covered it.
Anyone can contribute and participate. All videos are viewable by the public, and encourage commentary. Let’s say you were present when a bystander captured a particularly touching moment at the McDonalds at Bloor & Avenue. Comment with “Whoa, someone had a few too many on the Hyatt Rooftop” and it’ll pop up right there on Google Maps where you said it was. Or, say you filmed an awesome Austra show inside a cave built at the Toronto Standard offices. You can upload that video right away, tagged as the Burroughes building. (Actually, it’s okay–I already uploaded it for you.)
