Cross-application encoding of geographical location information
A facility for cross-application encoding of geographical location information is described. In various embodiments, the facility receives a first document containing information relating to a geographical area, displays an image representing the geographical area, receives input from a user identifying at least a geographical location that is located in the geographical area, encodes a portion of the input to create an encoded link to the geographical location, and causes the link to be added to a second document such that when the link is selected, the first application displays the geographical area and identifies the identified geographical location. In various embodiments, the facility includes a correlating server that correlates geographical locations identified in documents of a first document type with documents containing mapping information.
1. A method performed by a computer system for cross-application encoding of geographical location information, comprising:
receiving a first document comprising a map or satellite image indicating information relating to a geographical area;
displaying on a computer screen an image representing the geographical area, the displaying performed by a first application;
receiving input from a user identifying a geographical location that is located in the geographical area;
encoding, by the first application, the identified geographic location to create an encoded link and creating an encoded URL that is encoded with an identification of a blog, wherein the encoded URL indicates a zoom level of the displayed image; and
causing, by the first application, the encoded link to be added to a second document associated with a second application different from the first application such that when the encoded link is selected in the second application, the selection causes the first application to display the geographical area and identify the geographical location, the second document associated with a second application, wherein the second application is configured to retrieve a blog having multiple blog postings.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the displaying is performed by a browser that invokes a mapping application.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the encoded URL indicates a latitude and longitude of the identified geographical location.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the encoded URL further indicates a description provided by the user in relation to the identified geographical location.
5. A computer-readable storage device storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed, perform a method of cross-application encoding of geographical location information by a second application, the method comprising:
receiving by the second application a link encoded by a first application, the encoded link containing an encoding of at least an indication of a geographical location, wherein the encoded link specifies a geographical location by using an encoded URL;
the second application causing the first application to display a portion of a first document that defines a geographical area, the geographical area containing the indicated geographical location;
retrieving a second document comprising a blog having multiple postings, at least one of the blog postings having one or more indications of geographical locations, the second document associated with the second application;
displaying a list of the geographical locations indicated in the second document; and
identifying at least one of the indicated geographical locations on the geographical area displayed by the first application.
6. The computer-readable device of claim 5 wherein the receiving includes receiving an encoded link identifying a geographical location by its latitude and longitude.
7. The computer-readable device of claim 5 wherein the causing includes causing a mapping application to display a portion of a map.
8. The computer-readable device of claim 5 wherein the retrieving includes retrieving blog postings from multiple blogs.
9. The computer-readable device of claim 5 wherein the encoded link identifies the second document.
10. The computer-readable device of claim 5 wherein the first application and the second application both execute at a client computing device.
11. The system of claim 5 wherein the first application and the second application both execute at a client computing device.
12. A system for cross-application encoding of geographical location information, comprising:
a component configured to receive a first document comprising a map or satellite image indicating information relating to a geographical area;
a first application configured to display on a computer screen an image representing the geographical area;
a component configured to receive input from a user identifying a geographical location that is located in the geographical area;
a component configured to encode, by the first application, the identified geographic location to create an encoded link and to create an encoded URL that is encoded with an identification of a blog, wherein the encoded URL indicates a zoom level of the displayed image; and
a component configured to cause, by the first application, the encoded link to be added to a second document associated with a second application different from the first application such that when the encoded link is selected in the second application, the selection causes the first application to display the geographical area and identify the geographical location, the second document associated with a second application, wherein the second application is configured to retrieve a blog having multiple blog postings.
13. system of claim 12 wherein the first application and the second application both execute at a client computing device.
14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the first application and the second application both execute at a client computing.