Schmap makes interactive map/tour-book hybrid guides that you can reach on the web or download to your computer or iphone. You can click on map-points to see places of interest (with photos solicited from local Flickr photographers), directions, and information.
The D.C. edition seems like a great choice for those going out on “local tourism” adventures, but trying to keep touristy image to a minimum.
Many editions exist for cities around the world and all are available for free. An updated version of the Washington guide will be published mid-August.
I found out about this yesterday, when they contacted me about using one of my flickr photos. Seems like a pretty cool idea.
@Ben H Rome:
That is nice! Maybe a bunch of our W<3DC Pool talent pool will be represented.
I’ve turned them down twice. Once they tried to use a picture I took at the American Visionary Art Museum on their page for the Baltimore Museum of Art (um, not remotely the same thing). I forget what the second one was, but by that time I was a little more jaded about the idea of “exposure” as compensation since I’d seen a friend’s picture on the Raleigh guide. The “exposure” consists of a link back to your Flickr stream. No thanks.
I passed when they asked the last time because they wanted to use my photo in something I couldn’t view on my Mac. Now that they’re doing iPhone guides, though, maybe I will?
@ fedward:
Maybe so, but they want to use a picture I took of the capitol building for, well, the capitol building. And I don’t mind the linkback; I’m primarily an author and only an amateur photographer. So I enjoy the attention, since I’ll never be known for my photos.
I’ve given them permission to use a few of my photos, including one of the Spy Museum that’s being used in the latest iPhone guide.