Many web developers are now familiar with Google’s Maps API - a javascript API that allows developers to embed Google maps applications into web pages. Personally I’m already a big fan of this.

For instance, ‘contact-us’ pages can be made far more helpful by not only including each staff member’s address, but also graphical maps and/or directions on how to get to these locations.

Google have now integrated a number of their other applications, such as Google Mars and Google Moon. Recently they’ve also built an API for their Google Earth application, which can again be used in a Google Maps environment.

Google Earth is already a very powerful application, but the potential to manipulate it using other Google applications and APIs could have endless (and fun) possibilities. See Google’s Monster Milktruck for one example…

How could UCL web developers take advantage of this? As Google Earth continues to develop (especially with growing numbers of 3D models appearing inside), perhaps tours of the campus could be given? Or perhaps interactive presentations showing UCL’s international work?

There must be hundreds of other possibilities - do share them if you have any more ideas!