We briefly talked about how to leverage Firefox’s GeoLocation API a few months ago and although the technology isn’t standard across the major browsers, each of them is beginning to implement their own variation on the API.
This means that developers are beginning to take advantage of the technology in their projects. DesksNear.Me is a great example.
DesksNear.Me is a project built during Rails Rumble 2010 that “is a simple and beautiful way for freelancers, contractors, and other nomadic workers to see great places where they can work.”
The execution is great. When you land on the page, the page will ask if it can access your current location:
And will then return a map featuring the locations of the desks along with their availability:
The main problem that I experienced with DesksNear.Me is the lack of locations. There were actually no results for Atlanta. Still, that’s a problem that can be mitigated with greater use of the application.
Though not explicitly programming-related, I know enough freelancers who would definitely dig this site. I also think that there’s something to be said for showing off creative execution on current technologies.
This is definitely one of the cooler uses of Geolocation that I’ve seen. Got any others to share?
Keith Pitt says
Hi Tom!
Thanks for the great writeup. I’m so glad you dig the site. The site has only been up for a few days now so we’re still ramping up on the data. If you know anyone in Atlanta that have coworking spaces, feel free to send them the link 😉
Thanks!
Keith
Tom says
Totally, Keith. Love the project and excited to see it grow!