Back in 2006, SailBlogs was the first blog system to integrate support for Google Earth and the KML/KMZ file format. It was such a natural extension to SailBlogs that it was a though Google wrote it specifically for us. Since then, it has become a very integral part of offering the best mapping capabilities to our members. Moving forward we will continue to be focused on using this world-class platform within SailBlogs. To that end, look for some exciting new developments in XPlot, our map tracking system, in 2009.

In early summer, the Google Earth web plug in moved out of beta and into full release for Windows platforms. At that point, we began testing with it for possible integration into SailBlogs. The plug in application allows visitors to have a Google Earth experience right in the browser window, without having to fully load the whole Google Earth application. What this means for SailBlogs members is the ability to have the richest, most detailed and dynamic map right on their blog page.

In early December, the plug in because available for Macintosh as well, and moved fully into wide availability to all web users. With this update from Google, SailBlogs will now be working to add this feature into the tracking system in early 2009.

To see how this might look and feel, check out Pete Goss' current Spirit of Mystery adventure, currently nearing South Africa. Pete's tracking not only includes his boat's position, but also the route he is tracing and a real-time global cloud map. We have been working with Pete for a few months testing this system with live data from the Spirit of Mystery.

Look for this and other additions to the XPlot mapping system coming in the next year!

Thanks and Happy Holidays from SailBlogs!