FAQ

What is MapStory.org?

MapStory.org is the atlas of change that everyone can edit. It is a free and open source website where scholars and students can crowdsource spatio-temporal data, version edit these data, and use data and other media (i.e. text, images, videos) to create MapStories.

What is a MapStory?

A MapStory is a digital object that visualizes and explains phenomena that occur on Earth over time. In MapStory.org, MapStories function sort of like YouTube videos. They can be searched for, played, shared on social media, and embedded on third party websites.

Does MapStory cost money to use?

MapStory is free for individual use. We charge organizations an annual subscription fee for the service of setting up an Organization Page at a custom URL. If you’re an Organization that is interested in a custom page, email [email protected]

Who operates MapStory.org?

MapStory.org is sustained by the MapStory Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization registered in Alexandria, Virginia in 2012. The MapStory Foundation is led by a Board of Trustees currently chaired by Dr. Christopher Tucker. Dr. Tucker is also the original founder of MapStory.org. The MapStory Foundation also works with a wide range of partners including Boundless Spatial, Prominent Edge, Terranodo, Arizona State University Decision Theatre, American Geographical Society and the Washington DC Public Library.

How is MapStory.org funded?

As a nonprofit organization, MapStory.org is sustained primarily through direct donations from its Board of Trustees and growing community of registered users and supporters. The MapStory Foundation has also received grants from federal government agencies and private foundations to advance specific features in its open source codebase.

How is MapStory.org different from other mapping tools?

1. MapStory.org is committed to advancing the global data commons and thus keeps its code open source and data contributions openly licensed. This sets it apart from many commercial mapping software tools.
2. MapStory.org is designed for mapping change over time. Therefore, mapping projects that seek to visualize static information are best implemented with mapping tools that don’t place such a priority on time.
3. MapStory.org supports temporal mapping for points, lines, and polygons, setting it apart from other mapping tools that do support time but are limited to points only.

How can I report an issue I have?

On the MapStory.org site, click the 'Feedback' button at the bottom-right of your sceen. Submit your issue. You can also submit an issue directly onto our Github repository, but make sure you've reviewed the guide for Creating Issues first!

Why do you want my real name for my account?

We think of MapStory as an academic resource. So, just as you would expect an academic journal article or book to have an author’s name associated with it, we expect StoryLayers and MapStories to be tied to people. This helps viewers of the content make judgements about the validity of the content they come across.

Why would I want to upload data into MapStory.org?

People contribute their spatio-temporal datasets into MapStory.org for a variety of reasons. Some see it as an alternative hosting solution. Rather than sustain a server themselves, they can upload datasets to MapStory.org and know that they will be accessible and downloadable at any time. Others see it as a way to support citizen science by crowdsourcing improvements to their data with the help of the global user community.

What kind of data can I import into MapStory?

Currently MapStory supports data uploads in a .csv, .shp or .geojson format. Separately, you can upload icons in an .svg format.

How does MapStory license data?

MapStory.org is a open data. We utilize the Creative Commons CC-By 4.0 license. For StoryLayers, the attribution should be to "contributors of MapStory". For MapStories, the attribution should be to the individual user that composed the MapStory.

What is the largest number of features I can have in an upload?

We're not sure yet. Try a really big one and let us know how it went!

###What is the largest file size that the MapStory uploader supports? We're not sure yet. Try a really big one and let us know how it went!

Can I upload data or compose a MapStory that focuses on a specific, living person?

No. MapStories can only specifically target individuals who are either deceased or who are considered public figures in the public domain (i.e. Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump).

How do I cite sources that I use to gather my data for a StoryLayer?

Every source that you consult as part of any research should be referenced in the “Data Sources” field of a StoryLayer’s metadata. Failure to site sources could result in a StoryLayer being removed from the public mapstory.org site.

How can I connect with the MapStory Foundation?

If you are a developer, visit www.github.com/MapStory to learn more about the code base. Contact the MapStory Foundation team directly at [email protected] to discuss ideas for improvement or collaboration. Or, reach out to us via social media at twitter.com/mapstory or facebook.com/mapstories.