Research Guides
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- Tools for Research
- Narrative Maps & Timelines
Tools for Research: Narrative Maps & Timelines
Popular Map & Timeline Tools
Neatline
A platform for creating online narrative exhibits using maps, images, and timelines. Neatline is an add-on tool for Omeka.
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What You’ll Need:
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Server install of Omeka
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LAMP stack server
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MySQL skills
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PHP skills
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Geoserver
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Command line access to your server
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License: Open Source
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Help:
StoryMapJS
StoryMapJS
An open source project by Knight Lab at Northwestern University that lets users tell stories by mapping the locations of events and presenting the map in a slide-based format. Maps created with StoryMapJS have been featured by Al Jazeera, The Washington Post, and CNBC.
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What You’ll Need:
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A Google Account
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License: Open source and offered under the MIT license
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Help:
Timeline JS
Timeline JS
TimelineJS is an open-source tool that enables anyone to build visually rich, interactive timelines. Incorporate media and images into your timeline.
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What You’ll Need:
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Google Spreadsheet experience
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TimelineJS Google Spreadsheet Template
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JSON skills for building a custom timeline (optional)
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License: TimelineJS is released under the Mozilla Public License (MPL), version 2.0. That means that TimelineJS is free to "use, reproduce, make available, modify, display, perform, distribute" or otherwise employ.
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Help:
Other Mapping Tools
- CLAVINCartographic Location And Vicinity INdexer: a web tool for turning text documents into a map of locations
- Community WalkA simple interface for creating and sharing informational, interactive, and engaging maps. Users can add markers to locations, show photos, add comments, and display interactive media on their maps.
- Google--My Mapsis a custom maps tool that lets the users search for locations, add markers to maps, and import locations from a spreasheet. My Maps is also available on mobile devices and your maps are easy to share with other people.
Other Timeline Tools
- Tiki-TokiTiki-Toki is web-based software for creating beautiful interactive timelines that you can share on the internet. Incorporate YouTube and Vimeo vids into your timeline.
- TimeLine CuratorA web tool for turning text documents into an interactive timeline.
Additional Tools
- EasyMapMakerprovides the user with an easy, intuitive way to map Excel or other spreadsheet data onto a Google map. Easy Map Maker allows for customized markers and labels and maps can be viewed on mobile devices.
- Leafletis an open-source JavaScript library used to build mapping applications that works across major desktop and mobile platforms. Object types include raster and vector types.
- Mapboxfounded in 2010, is built on vector maps and provides a platform for customizing maps. Mapbox includes roadway, administrative, transit, and natural features layers. Data is sourced from both open source and proprietary sources.
- TimeMapperis an open-source project of Open Knowledge Foundation Labs that takes your places and dates from a Google Spreadsheet and places them on a map and timeline.
- WorldMapis an open-source mapping application in development by the Center for Geographic Analysis at Harvard University. The site allows users to upload large datasets and overlay the maps with thousands of layers, link map features to media content, and share data.
- ZeeMapsCreate and publish interactive maps