Museums move ahead in internet mapping

Although there has been a lot of press and discussion about Google Maps and the various follow-ons (such as Microsoft's Windows Live Local) and predecessors (such as Yahoo! Maps), the Christian Science Monitor has an interesting article showing recent uses of maps by museums to enhance the web experience of patrons. In particular, the article talks about Folk Songs for the Five Points from The Tenement Museum in New York City (a "soundmap" with five different soundtracks and a clickable map showing what is where), and Curating The City, put on by the Los Angeles Conservancy to show off architectural sites past and present.

Both sites use sophisticated flash-based maps with various features, including panning, pop-outs, and other fun.