Chipin - Completed map of liberty groups - Funds needed for programming

[malkusm]

Hey everyone - figured I'd throw this thread out there because the other thread was a confusing "planning" thread.

I have completed the data entry for an entire map of liberty organizations which can be found here: http://bit.ly/9eLp8u (Scroll down on the left-hand side to get to other pages, there are 7 total - 1,588 groups.)

I am starting a website at www.FreedomAtlas.org which will contain this information, but the final version will have a structured setup on the left-hand side where you can filter the groups by state, and then by the type of group (C4L, Tea Parties, Student Groups, etc.)

In order to pay for the programming work involved with setting up the map to support this functionality, I have set up a Chipin: http://libertymap.chipin.com/liberty-map

Any contribution you can make is greatly appreciated.

P.S. Just to give you an idea of the usefulness of this project: This map has already been used (in its preliminary form) to support a lot of different initatives and projects:

-Meetups and organizations around Kentucky were contacted by the organizers of last week's Rand Paul moneybomb which raised over $250,000.

-Meetups and organizations around Louisiana have been contacted in support of the push to have Ron Paul win the SRLC straw poll.

-B.J. Lawson's campaign is currently utilizing the map, both to support the upcoming moneybomb on April 13 and to get in touch with the grassroots in his North Carolina district.

[Old Ducker]

That's really nice, Matt. It must have taken a ton of work on your part. I do have a problem, maybe its my own tardishness but when opening a site, the only way I can close it is either to exit the map and re-enter it or hit "report a problem" then hit "cancel."

[JasonC]

I should be getting my tax return back soon and I will try and throw you a few bucks. He only needs $300 people. We can get him this.

[dr. hfn]

bump

[malkusm]

I should be getting my tax return back soon and I will try and throw you a few bucks. He only needs $300 people. We can get him this.

Thanks Jason -

By the way, the programming I'm getting done is a huge amount of work. $300 is way under the typical cost for this sort of thing. As I said, I want to donate $50 but Chipin/PayPal doesn't allow you to donate to your own account with a credit card (??). I've already bought the domain name www.FreedomAtlas.org for 2 years.

[malkusm]

That's really nice, Matt. It must have taken a ton of work on your part. I do have a problem, maybe its my own tardishness but when opening a site, the only way I can close it is either to exit the map and re-enter it or hit "report a problem" then hit "cancel."

There should be an X at the top right corner of the box that appears when you click a marker. If not, if you click anywhere on the map the box will disappear.

[TheState]

Great idea. I'll throw in $10.

[Old Ducker]

There should be an X at the top right corner of the box that appears when you click a marker. If not, if you click anywhere on the map the box will disappear.

Ok that splains it. The right side is cut off on my screen and there's no scroll bar. I've had that problem on some other sites.

[Zack]

Depends on implementation and amount of mainenance participation over time, but I think it's potentially a very worthwhile project, so I pooped in 15 bucks. W00t~

[malkusm]

Great idea. I'll throw in $10.


Depends on implementation and amount of mainenance participation over time, but I think it's potentially a very worthwhile project, so I pooped in 15 bucks. W00t~

Much appreciated! :)

As for the maintenance, I'm hoping that once the site is up and functional, and people are exposed to it and begin to use it, I can sign on some volunteers as site admins to do some basic cleanup. I think all it would take to keep it useful would be to go back through every 6 months and check for new groups, delete defunct groups, etc.

Unfortunately, something like this can't work quite the same as a Wiki does (where anyone can edit and the upkeep is done by users), since there's a standard for what groups are included and a political (non-neutral) goal....but I'm confident it can be maintained regardless.

[Jordan]

In fer $10.

[GunnyFreedom]

Wow, crazy lots of work, I'll throw in when I can -- getting a check in about a week. Also, i think I can add a couple more groups in my area...

[malkusm]

In fer $10.

Thanks!


Wow, crazy lots of work, I'll throw in when I can -- getting a check in about a week. Also, i think I can add a couple more groups in my area...

Excellent - you can send me a PM here on the forums with the group contact info and I'll put them on there. (This goes for everyone :) )

Including my $50 which won't show up on the Chipin, we're up to $85 :)

[MelissaWV]

I sent you something, but your ChipIn is sloooooooooooooooooooooow to update.

Edit: Nevermind :) It updated :o

[wizardwatson]

Great idea malkusm. I've subscribed to this thread and will definitely check it out later as I have a sound money system project I'm currently working on that might create some opportunities for collaboration. I think I talked a little bit about it with you in chat.

Also, its great that its public as people can download a copy of the kml of that group (click me to see) (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=108435522685399031870.00047ef9181ddbc25c3d5&ll=38.61687,-65.039062&spn=30.947933,56.513672&z=4&output=kml) just by adding "&output=kml" to the link that google maps gives you.

You might even consider using that method and just do all your data entry on google maps, and create a web service at www.freedomatlas.com that consumes the kml, and reformats it in the groupings that you describe. Basically allowing people to download customized kml files that they can then view on google maps, or in Google Earth.

Anyway, just throwing you some ideas. I'm sure you've thought of way more possibilities than that already.

[KCIndy]

$10.00 Bump!

:)

Wish I could make it more. If this chip-in is still short at the end of the week I'll be a bit more "liquid."

Malkusm, thanks for doing the heavy lifting on this project. I'm guessing that networking is going to be a critical component of success if we're going to collect come "wins" over the coming political season.

[malkusm]

I sent you something, but your ChipIn is sloooooooooooooooooooooow to update.

Edit: Nevermind :) It updated :o


$10.00 Bump!

:)

Wish I could make it more. If this chip-in is still short at the end of the week I'll be a bit more "liquid."

Malkusm, thanks for doing the heavy lifting on this project. I'm guessing that networking is going to be a critical component of success if we're going to collect come "wins" over the coming political season.

Thanks to both of you! :)

KC - I agree, and I hope that this map does some good. It's not perfect and likely never will be (although it will be a lot better after the programming), but I hope that it can be a useful tool to organize and mobilize.

[tangent4ronpaul]

Great project Matt! I'll see what I can chipin after I figure out what the tax man stealith.... :(

Did you verify each group is still around? There is entropy in the Meetups. We are loosing 6-7 a week. Here's the list from the 11th of groups that would go away in the next 2 weeks if not adopted:

1 Ron Paul Campaigns (http://ronpaul.meetup.com/1753/) => 2 days left! (1 members)
2 Ron Paul Campaigns (http://ronpaul.meetup.com/791/) => 2 days left! (23 members)
3 Ron Paul Campaigns (http://ronpaul.meetup.com/840/) => 2 days left! (14 members)
4 Ron Paul Campaigns (http://ronpaul.meetup.com/1230/) => 3 days left! (30 members)
5 Bob Barr (http://bobbarr.meetup.com/24/) => 4 days left! (27 members)
6 Campaign for Liberty (http://ronpaul.meetup.com/1270/) => 4 days left! (70 members)
7 Ron Paul Campaigns (http://ronpaul.meetup.com/419/) => 5 days left! (15 members)
8 Campaign for Liberty (http://www.meetup.com/HenryLibertyCaucus/) => 9 days left! (93 members)
9 Ron Paul Campaigns (http://ronpaul.meetup.com/1766/) => 9 days left! (7 members)
10 Ron Paul Campaigns (http://ronpaul.meetup.com/1541/) => 11 days left! (22 members)
11 Ron Paul Campaigns (http://www.meetup.com/Medina4Texas-Houston/) => 12 days left! (106 members)
12 JBS.org Freedom Campaign (http://jbs.meetup.com/107/) => 14 days left! (31 members)
13 Ron Paul Campaigns (http://ronpaul.meetup.com/980/) => 15 days left! (41 members)

By my best estimate, we should have 750+ meetups left. It didn't seem like you had that many listed.

If Dr. Paul runs again, there is a way to mop up / re-acquire orphaned members that were lost to the liberty movement when their meetup went away.

Did you base any of this on OCH data? On the one hand, you are likely to find ones you missed, on the other, it hasn't been updated in some time do there are many dark groups in there.

One of the biggest problems we had during the 08 campaign was communications.

Also, I didn't notice any yahoo, facebook, myspace or google groups in there on a quick scan.

Good luck with this!

-t

[Tink]

Thank you for doing this!! I had been thinking about it and wanting to do something like this myself. I hope all my thoughts start to be actualized :-) Well, maybe not all, but the ones that are positively charged would be a good start.

Anyway, please add one of my favorite and more active groups in my area, the Northern Colorado Liberty Group. We use to be on meetup.com but Chris Yankowski, the organizer, moved it to ning for more communication features. It's worked out well and we are growing http://colorado4liberty.ning.com/

There is one more group that my friend, Tom Buchanan, helps run and I think it's the largest 9-12 Project in the nation right now http://www.loveland912project.org/. I don't know if you would consider them 'liberty' oriented enough to make your list, but I'm sure they would think so.

So, that's all I've got right now, but I'll keep thinking about it (-;

P.S. I sent you a couple bucks too, hope all our contributions are enough to keep the project going!

[ronpaulhawaii]

bump -

and this came from my Facebook post


Kelly Owens: Michael - can you pass this map of MO groups on to him - I don't know how to use RPforums.

http://www.moccg.org/forum-co-sponsors-2/
6 hours ago ·

[UtahApocalypse]

Do you need any graphics help for the website?

[malkusm]

Great project Matt! I'll see what I can chipin after I figure out what the tax man stealith.... :(

Did you verify each group is still around? There is entropy in the Meetups. We are loosing 6-7 a week. Here's the list from the 11th of groups that would go away in the next 2 weeks if not adopted:

1 Ron Paul Campaigns (http://ronpaul.meetup.com/1753/) => 2 days left! (1 members)
2 Ron Paul Campaigns (http://ronpaul.meetup.com/791/) => 2 days left! (23 members)
3 Ron Paul Campaigns (http://ronpaul.meetup.com/840/) => 2 days left! (14 members)
4 Ron Paul Campaigns (http://ronpaul.meetup.com/1230/) => 3 days left! (30 members)
5 Bob Barr (http://bobbarr.meetup.com/24/) => 4 days left! (27 members)
6 Campaign for Liberty (http://ronpaul.meetup.com/1270/) => 4 days left! (70 members)
7 Ron Paul Campaigns (http://ronpaul.meetup.com/419/) => 5 days left! (15 members)
8 Campaign for Liberty (http://www.meetup.com/HenryLibertyCaucus/) => 9 days left! (93 members)
9 Ron Paul Campaigns (http://ronpaul.meetup.com/1766/) => 9 days left! (7 members)
10 Ron Paul Campaigns (http://ronpaul.meetup.com/1541/) => 11 days left! (22 members)
11 Ron Paul Campaigns (http://www.meetup.com/Medina4Texas-Houston/) => 12 days left! (106 members)
12 JBS.org Freedom Campaign (http://jbs.meetup.com/107/) => 14 days left! (31 members)
13 Ron Paul Campaigns (http://ronpaul.meetup.com/980/) => 15 days left! (41 members)

By my best estimate, we should have 750+ meetups left. It didn't seem like you had that many listed.

If Dr. Paul runs again, there is a way to mop up / re-acquire orphaned members that were lost to the liberty movement when their meetup went away.

Did you base any of this on OCH data? On the one hand, you are likely to find ones you missed, on the other, it hasn't been updated in some time do there are many dark groups in there.

One of the biggest problems we had during the 08 campaign was communications.

Also, I didn't notice any yahoo, facebook, myspace or google groups in there on a quick scan.

Good luck with this!

-t

Thanks for all the info - I'll try to answer everything in a quick pass.

I only added groups that had held a Meetup in the past 6 months (as of the day that I saw it) in order to try to keep the list current. Obviously, there will be some that go defunct (and there are probably those on the list now that are defunct). Ultimately, though, I'd like the final product to be audited by users. A great example of this: Last night, tkubic46 was messaging all of the groups in NC to promote the BJ Lawson moneybomb, and one of the Meetups was no longer around. He messaged me to let me know and I deleted it (took maybe 20 seconds).

I want to have a "add/subract" page on the final site which will have a simple form that emails site admins, so that users can report the map as they use it. I'm also planning on doing periodic reviews of the entire list to keep it current.

I haven't used Yahoo or Google groups, but others have also recommended this and in future revisions I will include them in my resources. The list of student groups (blue markers) came from http://studentsforliberty.org/college/groups/ and the YAL website. I also need to go through the top "Ron Paul" group list on Meetup and make sure I didn't miss any of those - those are the big ones.

[malkusm]

Thank you for doing this!! I had been thinking about it and wanting to do something like this myself. I hope all my thoughts start to be actualized :-) Well, maybe not all, but the ones that are positively charged would be a good start.

Anyway, please add one of my favorite and more active groups in my area, the Northern Colorado Liberty Group. We use to be on meetup.com but Chris Yankowski, the organizer, moved it to ning for more communication features. It's worked out well and we are growing http://colorado4liberty.ning.com/

There is one more group that my friend, Tom Buchanan, helps run and I think it's the largest 9-12 Project in the nation right now http://www.loveland912project.org/. I don't know if you would consider them 'liberty' oriented enough to make your list, but I'm sure they would think so.

So, that's all I've got right now, but I'll keep thinking about it (-;

P.S. I sent you a couple bucks too, hope all our contributions are enough to keep the project going!

Thanks for the donation and the info! I added both groups - while I have mixed feelings about some of the 9-12 and Tea Party groups, I included all of them in the map because I feel that they can be very valuable in the coming elections. Their mindset and political base differs from location to location, but many of them will support our candidates and causes.

[malkusm]

bump -

and this came from my Facebook post

Excellent! I'll check it against what I have and add as necessary.:)


Do you need any graphics help for the website?

I haven't really set anything up graphics-wise for the website, I only have a basic idea. Since the name of the site is going to be FreedomAtlas.org, someone suggested incorporating "Atlas Shrugged" into the banner/background of the page, which I think is an excellent idea.....but, to answer your question, I don't have anyone to help with graphics at the moment, and I would definitely welcome any help you can provide. :)

[UtahApocalypse]

Excellent! I'll check it against what I have and add as necessary.:)



I haven't really set anything up graphics-wise for the website, I only have a basic idea. Since the name of the site is going to be FreedomAtlas.org, someone suggested incorporating "Atlas Shrugged" into the banner/background of the page, which I think is an excellent idea.....but, to answer your question, I don't have anyone to help with graphics at the moment, and I would definitely welcome any help you can provide. :)


Here is a couple examples of a map project i did awhile ago:

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa299/Utah4RonPaul/MuskMap.png

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa299/Utah4RonPaul/NMMapRipped.png

[malkusm]

Here is a couple examples of a map project i did awhile ago:

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa299/Utah4RonPaul/MuskMap.png

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa299/Utah4RonPaul/NMMapRipped.png

I like it! Just sent you a PM. :cool:

[Petar]

Ok, so here are our programming goals so far:

We want to display the project on a map where we can filter the entries in two ways:

So we want one drop down menu for selecting group type, and another drop down menu for selecting the state, next to a button labelled "filter".

When "filter" is clicked, then only markers in the selected group/state will be shown, and the map will also zoom-in to the selected state (if a state is in fact selected).


So the way that we are going about this is by using a MySQL/PHP/XML/Google Map combo, code that is borrowed from my www.liberatetheunitedstates.com project.

So far we added 12 preliminary entries from Matt's map: http://bit.ly/9eLp8u

And what we have created so far can be seen here: http://www.freedomatlas.org/

So we are going to modify the whole setup piece by piece, and then once it is working exactly how we want, then we will know exactly what type of data entry that we will have to do, in order to import the rest of Matt's map.


Here are my technical notes so far, for everything that has to be done:


Database/map currently uses 4 different "types" (groups) corresponding to 4 different color markers:

federal_house = Red
federal_senate = Blue
other = Green
state_government = Yellow

Database/map needs to be adjusted to support 9 different "types" (groups) with 6 different marker styles:

CFL = Red with dot
Other Ron Paul groups + GOP = Red with no dot
Tea Party + 912 = Yellow "thumbtack"
Libertarian "freedom groups" + 3rd party = Green with no dot
Student groups = Blue with dot
Candidate specific groups = Purple "thumbtack"


Database/map currently opens "address" (URL) when marker is clicked.

Database/map needs to be adjusted to open info-window instead, which will show the following info, in the following format:

Group name
URL (must support up to 4 URL's)
(space)
Text description of group


Current mouse-over info-window can be disabled.


Map currently uses cookie that saves map state upon refresh.

Cookie needs to be disabled.


Two drop down menus need to be added, one for group type, and one for state.

A button labelled "filter" needs to be added as well.

When "filter" is hit, only selected marker types will be shown (or all if none is selected), and selected state will become zoomed-in (if in fact any state is selected).


These are all things that my AJAX wizard friend will be able to take care of for a very good price, as soon as he is able to.

[malkusm]

Bump -

We currently sit at $185 of the $300 I was hoping to raise. (My own $50 contribution does not show on the Chipin.) If you have a few extra dollars, please consider contributing to this so that I can compensate the programmer for his work in getting this thing live.

I know many of us are strapped from yesterday's "End of Q1" candidate donation push, and with tax day fast approaching....I appreciate anything you guys can contribute. :)

http://libertymap.chipin.com/liberty-map

[MelissaWV]

C'mon... donate to malkusm.

He doesn't post to threads of ill-repute, and he's giving you the puppydog eyes in his avatar.

Do it for the children.

And the kittens.

And the child-eating kittens.

And the kitten-eating children.

...

Just do it? :p

[malkusm]

C'mon... donate to malkusm.

He doesn't post to threads of ill-repute, and he's giving you the puppydog eyes in his avatar.

Do it for the children.

And the kittens.

And the child-eating kittens.

And the kitten-eating children.

...

Just do it? :p

Heh - thanks Melissa. :D

$10 more in now, so we're at $195. I'm sure the forums have another $100 to put towards this project? :o

[dr. hfn]

bump!

[malkusm]

Bump - please help if you're able :)

[UtahApocalypse]

Could not donate money but working on graphics....

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa299/Utah4RonPaul/libertyalmanac2a.png

I sent some others to malkusm but this is a preview :) and bump

[driege]

Thanks for making this. It helped me find a Ron Paul Campaign for Liberty Meetup group in my area, which I just joined. I never knew it was out there :)


Hey everyone - figured I'd throw this thread out there because the other thread was a confusing "planning" thread.

I have completed the data entry for an entire map of liberty organizations which can be found here: http://bit.ly/9eLp8u (Scroll down on the left-hand side to get to other pages, there are 7 total - 1,588 groups.)

[MelissaWV]

Bump for completeness.

Use the extra for a celebratory pizza :)

[american.swan]

Great idea, how do you plan to keep the FBI and CIA out or are we trying to make this easier for them to track us innocent, peaceful law abiding citizens who just so happen to think different?

[MelissaWV]

Great idea, how do you plan to keep the FBI and CIA out or are we trying to make this easier for them to track us innocent, peaceful law abiding citizens who just so happen to think different?

:rolleyes: If there was that much concern, then none of us would post on the internet. Really. malkusm did not have to use a secret handshake to get this information. Most of it's already available out there, and he's compiled it.

I think it's far more likely the FBI/CIA/NSA/ABC/123 already have something similar to this, and we're just now catching up.

[malkusm]

Thanks for making this. It helped me find a Ron Paul Campaign for Liberty Meetup group in my area, which I just joined. I never knew it was out there :)

Awesome! Glad it helped you :) Now wait until you can filter by state and type of group so you can rally support behind the next event or candidate in your area. :cool:

[malkusm]

Bump for completeness.

Use the extra for a celebratory pizza :)

Awesome! :D :cool:

Thanks to everyone who contributed. We are working on the integration and functionality of the website and map at the moment. It should be up in a couple weeks, and I'll be sure to bump the thread at that point.

If you have any further ideas about other functions of the website, please let me know. I'd also like to include an "add/subtract" page where users can report a defunct group or submit information for a group that's not on the page, which would make it a little more self-sustaining. Other than that, I'm always open to hearing ideas from the infinite wisdom that is RPF. :p

[UtahApocalypse]

another bump with graphics idea.....

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa299/Utah4RonPaul/libertyalmanac4.png

[DirtMcGirt]

another bump with graphics idea.....

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa299/Utah4RonPaul/libertyalmanac4.png


I think the 'Don't Tread on me' should be shrunk and moved; maybe centered a little differently or placed neatly in the Gulf of Mexico . Really like the flag overlay on the land.

On second look maybe the title itself just has to shift a tad towards Maine...

[torchbearer]

//

[LibertyMage]

Matt,

Just sent you several groups in Maryland. Check your messages.

[torchbearer]

//

[torchbearer]

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